The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-25

III.
Even if it could be true, it were best to for
| get it. For what could he do now with her
| and for her? He could not claim her as his
| own In this moment of her disgrace And
he summed up the matter in his own
mind-it was fancy without foundation
| there was absolutely no reason for conject-
uring that this girl was his grand
daughter. Armstrong was not an uncom-
| mon name, and he could not occupy him
| self with the fortunes of all the Armstrong;
| in England.
| 1t will be seen from this sketch of Justice
Armstrong; state of mind that his con-
| science troubled him from time to time
with respect to his sons offspring. He had
repented his harshness to the dead man, and
had thought many times about the old
woman and child who had once made their
way to bis house; but his first impression
that his granddaughter was dead and
| that old Mrs. Flint was an impostor, trying
to extort money-remained strong upon
him, and caused him sternly to bauish any
notion of finding or helping the child of
whom he had heard.
jess was not all altogether unfriended,
however, in her trouble. DIR. Price came to
see her several times. Mr.. belmont also
visited her. But Mr.. Helmont's visits were
full of pain to Jess. He wanted to know
so muchl He did not seem able to refrain
lTOiu QuectiOtto hDOuU ucE DdSb nlt, dDDuU
Eastwood, and about her child. And Jess
was determined that nothing more than
what was absolutely necessary should pass
her lips.
Hence she seemed, both to Helmont and
to the chaplain of the prison somewhat
unsatisfactory penitent. She was docile
enough, but she was reticent. And reti-
cence meant-in the chaplain's opinion at
least--obstinacy and impenitence. Mr..
Helmont was gentle, but Jess felt that she
was problem even to him.
"Where is your little girl, JESSE" he asked
her.
"Alice Drew has her, sir.
"Alice Drew? The young woman--
who"
"Who used to go about with Stephen
and me? Yes, that's the one, sir. She
loved him dear; but she's forgiven me for
his sake. And she takes care of the
child u
"Has she means of her own! How does
she support itm
"She goes out nursing"
"In Londons"
mo, sir, down at place called Hexhan
in Kent. A little country village-may
be you know it"
Eyes, know it very well, said Mr.. Hell
| mont. "Have you not heard of Lord anc
Lady Hexham down therep he said, after
moments pause, LADY Hexham is my
sister,
forgotten that he was blind and could moi
see her face.
81 know" she said in low voice. 81
heard of herr
Helmont said nothing more just then, but
he took an opportunity some days later Of
mentioning the matter to Diana.
"What do you want me to doF' Diana
said, when he had finished his story
'For know you want me to do some
thing"
She was looking gravely handsome and
stately, but there was a want of brightnes:
on her face, and in her quiet, kindly tones
Helmont noted the fatigue apparent in hel
voice, and remarked on it.
sob, it is nothing l have been too much
in town. | must take few weeks in the
country" she answered, quic8ly. "And
then, as | shall be at Hexham, / can dc
anything that you wish, Frank. Is this
poor girls child TO remain thereg
ut seems so. Can you do anythingW
81 will go to see her. l will try. Alice
Drew is at Mrs. Benefits you says Mrs
Bennett is the infant schoolmistress at Hex
ham. know the COTTAGE
"That is right, Diana. | felt sure that
you would not Shrink from the task"
"Shrink? Why should l shrink" And
then a wave of crimson flooded her pale
cheeks and brow. You mean-that this
child"
II believe said Helmont, gravely, "that
it is George Eastwood's child.n
There was moments pause. Then
Diana broke out with only half-suppresSed
vehemence.
"Oh, how can men be so base, so selfish,
so vile! thought better things Of him
once.n
alt may be that he regrets his error, "
said Helmont. picking his words with some
difficulty. ave do not know all the cir.
cumstances, and-we cannot be sure"
NO" said Diana, with long-drawn
sigh. 1--WE cannot be sure"
But in her heart she thought that if she
once looked into the face Of Jess Arm.
strong's child she would know whether il
belonged to George or not.
She kept her word and went to Mrs. Ben
nett's cottage. But she was received by
Alice Drew with grave courtesy which,
although homely, could bear to be con-
trasted even with Lady Hexham's polish of
manner and dignity of bearing. For she
| had the natural calm and stateliness which
come of the suppression of self and the
constant yearning toward great ideal.
| Lady Hexhqm recognized the rare quail
| ties beneath tine plain exterior of this
woman of the people, and she tried hard to
| find out some way of benefting Alice and
| her charge without seeming either tc
patronize or to interfere. But it was diff
| cult to do anything for Alice She shook
her head when Diana suggested an orphan
age for Meenie.
az have one myself-close to my park
gates,n Lady Hexham explained. 81 could
watch over her,"
sThank you. my lady," Alice answered
quietly, but Jess baby girl will always
| have home with me.n
Lady Hexham was fooled, but only for
the moment. She had looked at Meeuie's
| innocent face when she entered the room
and been struck at once by the likeness tr
| the Eastwoods-not to George alone, but tc
| other members of the family. There wa:
no room for doubt in her mind that this
child belonged to George; and for that rea'
| son she became at once hotly, unreasonabiy
| anxious TO befriend it. Legitimate or lie
| ultimate. what did it matters Georges
| Child could never be without claim on
her: for although she had once refused bin
so lightly and planned so resolutely tc
marry another man, there was nobody II
| the whole wide world whom she would ever
love as she had loved George Eastwood.
In a short time, too, another plan oc'
Cured to her. The matron OF her tiny
orphange was leaving to be married; she
| offered the post to Alice Drew. And to hel
great ioy. almost to her surprise, Alice &C
cepted the situation. She was TO keeI