The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-27
CHAPTER xxx.
GEORGE EAsrwooD's DECISION.

An hour must have passed before Mr..
Field issued from the room. He halted at
sight of Jess. sitting crushed up in a sort of
heap on the topmost step of the stairs, and
surveyed her compassionately.
Come he said, "my girl, you must not
give way like this. Go back to-to-him,
to the gentleman in there" (he seemed to
have difficulty in giving George nane),
land do your best for him until he leaves
the place"
Jess hands fell, she turned a white and
troubled face upward to his gaze.
"ls he going-awayF she breathed.
"When he is well enough of course he
will go away. You could not expect him to
stay always in this place. You should go to
HIM now, he needs food. hope you give
him anything he fancies."
HE never fancies anything, said Jess. in
low tone.
'Ah that's bad hearing But he will
soon pick up his strength in a healthier
place. never heard of such ridiculous
fad in all my life." the elderly gentleman
muttered to himself as he went down stairs
'For George Eastwood to commit social
suicide in this way is perfectly absurd"
jess drew a long breath when he had
gone. Then she nerved herself to re-enter
the room from which she had been excluded,
although, woman-like, she felt a proud dis
like to go thither without further invita-
ton. She found George looking exceed
ingly white and exhausted but perfectly
calm, and she busted herself at once in pre-
pairing for him the meal of which she felt
sure that he must stand greatly in need. He
took the food from her hand without show
ing the repugnance that he sometimes
evinced, but she noticed that he was careful
to avoid meeting her eye, and that he was
even more silent and thoughtful than
usual.
When the meal was over, he lay silent for
time, but while dusk was gathering in the
littk dimly lighted room, he reused himself
and said:
"Jess, 1 want to speak to you"
She knew at once that her sentence was
about to be pronounced. Her heart gave a
great leap of horror; she stood still for a
moment in order to let it grow quiet once
again; then she came slowly to Georges
side.
of GOODNESS and kindness in his voice. II
cannot speak it you are standing"
'Shall Light candleP'
"No. We can speak just as well in the
twilight. Sit down"
She sat down quietly and crossed her
hands in her lap. George gave her nasty.
questioning look, as if he half misdoubted
this unexpected quietness, and then began
60 speak.
Il suppose YOU huOW. uS odlQ, why L
sent for Mr.. Field"
Jess shook her head.
"He is an old friend and | felt that
could trust him. Partially, at any rate. l
have-naturallY-nott told him everything
But have told him a good deal and he has
promised TO guard my secret
What secret" said Jess in a rather
startled voice.
"The secret of my presence here. of
NJ thiply + mt oil he IL
to know where have been during the past
few weekss Do you think l want to be
mixed up with The Mill Street Mystery?
have not even told him that was in that
empty house when Eyre fell from the win
dow. He thinks that have been here all
the time-here, with you; that was taken
ill here ami have remained here ever since
If he questions you, jess, you will have to
stick to the same story. Do you un-
derstandl It is your best chance of safety"
II understand" she answered, in a dull,
unmeaning way.
THAT is well. IL ever he questions you,
remember that you have never been with
me in any house in Mill street but this one.
You can guard my reputation as we'll as
your own, in this way. Remember-we
had nothing to do with the mystery of
Stephen Eyre's sudden DEATH"
~ will remember"
OOOOs <hA0 hOW Az ptdCbiCai iiidUboiS.
cannot refrain from saying that you have
acted very foolishly if you mad any regard
for my welfare. Surely you might have
managed TO get me away from Whltechapel
before this Don't you know that staying
here has half killed mef'
A little color crept into Jess cheeks.
1.-The doctor says | helped to save your
life-by nursing you," she murmured.
"Ah-welll am not ungrateful hope,n
said George. "but that is scarcely the
point. The best nursing in the world would
not have awaited much longer if had been
kept here. II had been stronger, l should
have taken matters into my own hands be-
fore now; but it is only duriag the last day
or two that have felt able to think matters
over. And, as Price says, the sooner / go
the BETTER
"Where viii you gog' Jess asked in a
whisper.
She felt as if she could not bear the sound
Of her own voice.
~ do not know exactly.n His face hard
ened as he replied: 81 have not decided.
shall go abroad as soon as am strong
enough"
There was a long pause. Then Jess
whispered two words. 1t was a short
speech but suggestive one.
"And I2--n she said-and stopped.
'sYou,n said George You"