The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-09

jess submitted, trem bling a little, but
rapt in fearful JOY. When George looked
at her again she had closed her eyes tight
~, as if 20 abandon herself more COM
pietely to the delight Of his caresses, and
her head sank upon his shoulder as If she
never cared to move again. It was George
who had to speak first and rouse her from
her trance of JOY.
Nov, my darling, we must be going.
You want to go back before your grand
mother is at home, l know, and that must
be quarter to ten striking. Shall we
goln
jess raised her head with a sigh and a
smile, but no sooner had she looked away
from him that she gave sudden terrified
start, aud grasped Eastwood's arm with
both hands.
What is it, dearest1'
ut was only-scmeone know"
"Whol Not thai NAV Eyrep
mo, his brother. He was looking at
us "
Spying on US, was hea rll soon teach
him betterp
mo, no; you must not touch him. He is
cripple-a h1uchoack-you can't hurt
him. That's the worst Of it," said Jess,
pathetichlly, "for he's always in mischief
aud lodging round after people, and they
doa't like to lay fiager on him when he's
50 afflicted. He's running off nowhere
he goes"
She pointed to lighted portion of the
nearest street, and there, for one moment,
Eastwood saw small, crooked figure run
ming with a strange, sidelong motion, but
considerable speed, as if anxious to get
away.
"Where has he gone now, wonders" he
said.
80, to tell his brother, or Granny, that
he's seen me here with you. There1l be a
fine row if he does" said Jess. catching her
breath a little.
jess, darling, let me carry you away to-
Dightp
ooh, no, George, 1 couldn't leave them so
sudden like. 1t wouldn't be fair, when
Granny's brought me up since was baby.
I'll come next week if you like, when I've
tidied up the place bit; but not before
please, George"
He did net press the point. He meant
honestly by her, on the whole, and he saw
that he must make certain preparations be-
fore she could become his wife.
They walked silently TO the end of Bald
wins Alley, and there, in an archway of
darkness. they kissed and said COCO night.
Then George strobe out ilto the highway,
jumped into hanson, aud sped ives. ward,
while Jess, suddenly remembering the hour
and the unfinished work, a I'd her grand
mothers probable wrath, flew swiftly back
to her garrett.
Mrs. Flint had not yet returned. The
sacks lay in an unsightly heap upon the
floor. Jess sprang to Der seat caught up
the first one came to hand, and began work.
ing at it vigorously. Perhaps, if her
grandmother was very drunk when she
came home, she would not notice what jess
was doing, and the girl could keep her
candle alight all night. In that case the
sacks would be done by morning. It would
be hard work, but with the prospect of fu-
ture happiness and remembrance of
Georges caressing looks and words, Jess
felt too exultant to care how hard she
worked.
She was to have no luck that night, how
ever. Mrs. Flint returned earhsr than
usual, Soberer than usual, and therefore
much more bad-tempered. She came in
with q volleg of abuse.
''Dick Eyre told me, he did He came
aud said as 'ow you'd been hanging about
the wharves with some low fellow, instead
o. doing yer work. Sacks not near done. [
s'pose? AM you'll get the sack tomorrow,
sure as you live. Pll make yer remember
it, miss. If you can't do yer work, I'll take
it out Of yer, in another way"
And then the old woman threw herself
upon the shrinking glrl, dragged her to the
floor, and bestowed upon her the blows
which Jess had expected to receive. The
girl was powerless in the grasp of those
brawny arms She did not attempt to cry
for help; only once, when the fury struck
moro Violently than usual, and it crossed
her mind that she might be too much hurt
to 60 away with George next week, she
gasped out PRAYER for mercy. 80, don't
kill me, Granny she said.
But the plea produced no effect, and
Granny struck harder than before.