The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-08
THE, GREAT MILL STREET MYSTERY.
By ADBLINE MT
Author CT 3AcoBs WIFE, 'RoYs
FALSE
tALL RIGHTS RESERVED.1
CHAPTER XII.

edge OF the world; SO, Wnen ne neard SyDu
launch out, a few days later, into some allu-
sions to the little scene at the orphanage
gate. and at the same time remarSing on
the length of Eastwood's absence from
Hexham Court, he felt vaguely uncomforta-
BILE and wondered whether there was any
story which it behooved himself to know.
Judging from Lady Hexham's face, he
thought there was. She looked for one in
slant dismayed and even confused and then
she seemed to calm herself as she replied
quietly:
s'My dear Sybil he takes an interest in
the poor, and no doubt wished to inform
himself as to the rules and conditions of an
orphanage. l heard him say only the
other day that he would like to build one. "
"Oh, that explains it, then" said Sybil.
81 like a man to be fond of little children,
auntie. Mr.. Eastwood did not seem able to
take his eyes off Meenie Armstrong"
Again that inde6nable shock of some
thing like disnay was visible on Lady
Hexhamls face, and once again she con-
trolled it.
"Sybil, dear, will you do the flowers this
morninga The vases do not look quite fresh,
and know you like the work."
"Oh, yes, do May Tom come with me,
to carry the basket and reach the high
brauches?n
IF he likes. You do not ask him, OBJ
serve" said Diana, smiling.
HE does not need to be asked. He is de-
lighted to Gomez said Sybil with a little
Innocent sauciness.
And then she ran away for her hat, and
Tom rose to his full hight with the pleased
air Of a man who has received a compli-
ment He strolled about the room for a
minute OF two in silence, and then said,
with apparent carelessness:
"Mr. Eastwood looked awfully taken
aback that day, Aunt Diana. As II he had
suddenly seen somebody he never expected
to meet Could it be Miss Drewp
Miss Drew, Toni How absurdm
"Why absurd2' asked Tom, doggedly.
"Well, perhaps not absurd in the sense
that he might have seen her before; but in
the sense Of being startled by the sight"
"He was startled by something or other !;
he was as white as a tablecloth."
Lady Hexham put her work down and
looked troubled for moment.
81 think must tell you, Tom," she said
at last, 'that know why Mr.. Eastwood
may have looked startled, and that shall
perhaps speak TO him about it; but that 1
must beg of you to ask me no questions at
present. And above all, do not talk to Sybil
about it"
"Certainly not.n Then, after pause
do you consider, Aunt Diana, that Mr..
Eastwood is suitable person to make
Sybil good husband~
Diana gave little start.
INV dear Tom,n she said, 81 thought
that there was family arrangement"
"Family arrangements go for nothing in
these degenerate days." said Tom, imper-
turbably. "If Sybil refuses me, she can't
be made to marry me against her will; and
Eastwood has been paying her good deal
of attention"
Impossible, Tomr
II can't quite see the impossibility," said
Tom.
Diana rose and looked out of the window.
Perhaps she did not want her nephew to see
her face. 1t was in rather oddly muffied
tone that she said at last:
II think it is quite possible that my
cousin is married already, Tom. l have
some reason to think so; and if the matter
be as you suggest. shall ask him plainly
whether he is q married man or not"
Married alreadya That's the best news
I've heard for many day. May l tell
SybilP
mo, most assuredly not. will tell her
if necessary. And take her out by the side
door; l hear her on the stairs, and Mr..
enue."
Tom obeyed with chuckle which was not
altogether of an amiable nature. His tenn
per had been much tried OF late by the
friendliness subsisting between Sybii and
George Eastwood; and to hear that East
wood was already married at first made him
laugh with joy, and then frown with hon
est disapproval; for he considered, rightly
enough, that the squire OF Wychford had
no business to pass himself off as a single
man when he was already married Think
ing of these things, he excited SYPHILIS won
der not a little by appearing somewhat alb
sent-minded when she spoke to MIN; and it
was only by severe effort of will that he
succeeded finally in ceasing to wonder what
his Aunt Diana would say to her visitor,
and in giving himself steadily to the work
In hand
If he could have looked into Diana's
morning room at that moment, he would
have seen its mistress standing face to face
with George Eastwood and looking straight
into his eyes.
She had asked a question and was waiting
in breathless anxiety for the reply, not be-
cause she did not know-or think she knew
the truth, but because she was desperately
afraid that George would lie to her. She
Knew that he had not always spoken the
truth when questioned about jess Arm
strong; and she felt that her estimate of his
Whole character hung in the balance. If
he he'd to her now, she said to herself, she
could never speak to him again.
de looked at her, too, in silence, for a
minute or two, and then his eyes fell, He
mad not seated himself since his entrance,
dis hat was still in his hand for one mo-
nent he was conscious Of wild desire TO
ny from Diana's questions and Diana's
earnest eyes. The habit of reticence had
grown upon him insidiously, SO that he now
lett almost physical difficulty in acknowl-
euglng the truth. But at last he spoke
uuiy-though hoarseiy and with evident
reluctance.
Yes" he said, "Meenie is my child"
=, And her motherp Diana began trem-
ulously
Her mother-Jess Armstrong--is my
wife,
j., Diana uttered little cry; then she sud-
Sehly held out her hand to him, and her
BEAUTIFUL dark eyes filled with tears.
Your wife, George? Oh, George, that
"qman-your wife~
ne had to put his hat down--these absurd
nsge Interruptions are apt to occur in the
lust OF the most tragic or sorrowful
ssSSeoes-before he could clasp her hand; and
'"'n ne gave it only sharp, short squeeze