The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-08

sureSt manner; just as the door was forced
ana cry of alarm was card from within
robert grappled with the burglar and
brought him 70 the ground. 4 short but
terrible struggle ensued, in which Robert
proved the stronger of tho two, and knelt
upon his antagonist, grasping him firmly by
the throat
Denise, pale and disheve'el, came for
ward With light. 1t was Basset who Law
there writing and struggling on the
ground. When Robert saw this, lie locsened
his hold, and, givi, & the man a contomptous
snake, oade hun get mp.
Il give in, sir said the man sullenlv.
You've got me right enough. There's
nobody In 1t but me. gave the old lady
a dose to keep her quiet; but she'll wake up
ali right" But, outspoken as hs was, the
man showed plenty of cunning "You
cant have mo for Burglary he said,
there was no breaking in. It's only assault
with intent, after all You'd best let me
GO"
And what shall find in the plate chestp'
asked Robert.
The mau laughed defiantly:
Iheres fine collection of brickbats,
expect"
Eventually it was only for making free
with the plate chest that BaSset was ar
ralgned, and he was let off with six months
hard labor, at the end Of which he was free
TO pursue his sporting career. But an ac-
count of the affair, magnified by rumor,
soon reached Lady Jones. who came from
highgate at the utmost speed to which the
stout coachman could be persuaded to urge
his fat horses. She found Robert with his
mead oandaged up, and looking pale and
interesting, but extremely comfortable,
with Denise waiting upon HIM assiduousy,
and the children doing their best to amuso
him. Lady Jones was full of contrition for
having given him ''those wretches," the
Bassets, to look after him; aud there was
complete reconciliation all round, while
three or four times a day messengers would
arrive from The Willows laden with hot
mouse grapes, flowers, and other Injuries
Tor the benefit OF the invalid and his atten-
dantS. When Robert was cured of his
hurt there came an urgent invitation from
The Willows. Mrs. Carmichael was TO go
and spend few weeks there with her chill
dren, while Robert would DO equally well
come at The Elms, and those dreadful
rooms might be shut up for awhile till the
establishment could be reorganized. Denise
accepted the invitation for all parties But
there was some sadness at leaving, for it
was evident that Denise would return no
more to Bloomsbury, and both she and
Robert had been happier during the past
few months than they cared to confess.
Lady Jones had arranged state dinner
party for the day of their arrival, and at
the last moment, Robert received note
from Lady Jones'
IAN unexpected guest will arrive-pre-
pare Denise and yourself for great, aud,
l hope, an agreeable SURPRISE
Denise read the note over Roberts
shoulder, and turned pale with apprehen-
sion.
All was gay and festive at The Willows
that night as Lady Jones' guests were gath
cred III her drawing room, awaiting the
summons for dinner. But there was no
startling presence so far; only the old ia
mlliar faces were there, although Lady
Jones, mysterious and anxious, WAS evil
IDENTIFY waiting for some favored guest. At
last, however. she ordered dinner to be
served; but when her guests had taken their
places, it was seen that a vacant chair was
reserved on the right hand of the hostess,
while she had arranged that Mrs. Carmi-
chel should be placed between MIR. Nesbet
and the ominous blank. Clara had fallen
to Roberts share, while young Levison
beamed at her from tho opposite side of the
table.
At what moment it happened no one
| could justly say; but all of sudden the
vacant place was filed. There is no room
for demonstration of feeling at dinner
table; but general thrill ran through the
assembled company, for the belated guest
was universally recognized as Col. Carmi-
chel
Robert turned white and rcd, and kept
his eyes fixed upon Denise. 1t was cruel
surprise for her, surely, aud yet, strange to
say, she was the most unembarrassed of
the party. She talked with the newcomer,
smiled sometimes, was pleased and inter-
ested, but in no way moved or excited.
Mr. Nesbet glowered across Denise at tho
colonel with much Indignation
81 think, he said, turning to his neighbor
on the other sido, that a man who leaves
his family and duties to wander about in
wild countries, should be ostracised, madam,
and be deprived of civil rights"
But no one paid any attention to Nesbet,
while the colonel seemed in excellent
spirits and told some good stories, that
set everybody laughing at his end of the
table.
AS soon as the ladies made a move, Col.
Carmichel lighted cheroot--a thing pre-
viously unknown at The Willows-and
came TO sit beside Robert.
$50, young fellow, You have been very
kind TO Mrs. Carmichael, hear. / am glad
she found good friend, poor girl, for her
husband-he was one of the Staffordshire
Carmichels, Iobert-was the best friend
and comrade | ever had"
~ don't understand" stammered Ro-
bert.
Poor fellow said the colonel, shaking
his head. II stood beside him when no
died. Some stupid people muddled the
matter, / hear, and reported me as dead;
but / have come home to settle at last. |
shall come and stay with you, Robert, for a
bit, if you will have me-"
Robert said Yes" but he was too much
confused and mixed up TO know exactly
what ne was doing or saying. He was glad
that his father carried him Off straight
from the dinner table and took him to the
theater, and then TO Roberts club and
home to Roberts chambers in the small
hours Of the morning.
"An unlucky fellow was Jack Carmichael"
said the colonel between the whins of his
cheroot "Quarreled with all his friends,
muddled away his fortune at last took this
appointment, which / told him meant GER
tain death, and, would you believe it. fort
night before his death an uncle died, with
whom he had quarreled more tnan any,
body, and left him a Gl00, 900 or so, and tho
poor fellow never knew 1t, and died tor
menting himself about the fate of those
he left behind him. and those children Will
be well off now, you see, and the mother,
toon
The last piece of news decided Robert; he
she bear to look upon him, who had OBJ
taiued 50 much love, and kindness, and
sympathy under false pretensesl
Robert buried himself assiduously in his
worg, and went near Hghgate no more,
hearing plenty of news about it, however,
from his father, who spent the greater part