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

rlcfety stair, until they stood together in
the street. The sky was calm and clear
above their heads; but the daylight was
last fading, and lamps were lighted in the
| streets.
Where shall we go?" said George. 81
want to speak to you, Jess"
jess hesiteted and looked little puzzled,
then podded to herself and said:
Il Know" IL triumphant tone.
sac turred and led him through the dark
alley of Bsldwiu's Court and into Mile End
Road. The broad pavement was garish
with lights, ded with passing figures.
polsy with traders cries George Eastwood
stopped short.
wv hat have you brought me here forYn
ne selG; This is not place where one can
speak"
But Jess only nodded and smiled, and
made him cross the road Thence she
plunged southwark into maze of streets
winch George had never explored before.
and 1t was a distinct surprise to him when
he beheld the CLEAN of water, white in the
evening hght, and the black-looking piers
and docks, which showed him that he had
, gained the riverside.
| IT'S quret enough here" said Jess. seat
| ing herself on a bit of broken wall. with
her race turned to the silent river, and her
hands folding themselves on her lap.
"Alrt 1t stills Like the country almost,
| all lJs
"Have you ever seen the country. Jessp'
I've been to the Forest" SAID Jess.
That's country, amt it? And once, " hen
l was at school, the teacher took us out in
vans, miles an miles away. We played
about IN green fields and picked fl lwers |
dunno that liked it much-I was fright
ened-the sky seemed such a long way off,
and here it looks as if it rested a top o. the
houses, don't its l think I should like it
better now"
"You would like to leave that wretched
street and those wretched, degraded people,
would you t." said George, almost pas
slonately. jess, have been in the coun-
try to-day, and it has driven mo wild to
thlnk OF the difference between the way in
which you live and that of other people.
\ GU have the same delicate instincts, the
same naturally refined tastes; you would
ENJOY what they enjoy. 1t maddens me-"
SAID the young man, starting up and pacing
tempestuously to and fro, ito think that
you are here in that filthy den, when others
mo better, no more beautiful than you
nave everything heart can desire.n
jess was silent for moment. A little
smile touched her lips.
10 you care SO much, George?" she
asked, softly.
Care, derling9 would give my life to
make you happyln he cried, and she be-
heved every word he said.
She sat silent, absorbed. with the faint
smile still on her mouth, her eyes dreamy
and content with happiness. A thrill of
sweetness ran through her whole being at
the sound of his ardent words She had
never been so happy il. her life before
Perhaps it was fated that she would never
be SO happy in her life again.
George looked at her with sudden won
derment. She had taken off her hat-she
was woman enough to like to show her won
derful hair, which he so often praised-and
1t snone like golden halo round the pale
face.
you are as beautiful as saint-as a
Madonna" he said, fervently. jess, |
want you to come away with me and be
happy. l will take little house for you
somewhere, and you shall do nothing all
day long but what you like, and wear
your prettiest dresses every day. And you
will be with me always, and never have to
leave me-
"Do you mean,n said Jess, simply, 'iu
the couutry-where you live-your home
that you showed me picture Of oncep'
mo, dearest; don't mean that. l mean
little house of our own--Or q fat-in
town, SO that could go on with my work.
l am not very rich, you know, but l could
manage that
YES" said Jess, shat would be beauti-
full"
I'VE should perhaps go to my old home
some day, when | was rich" said George,
sitting down on the wall beside her, and
putting his arm round her waist, "but not
just yet. You would not mind waiting
a little while for that. would you, sweet
est?n
II would mind nothing that 1 did for
your she answered, fastening her gray
eyes on his face with the look of adoring
submission that he liked to see.
"My darlingl How soon will you come
to me, then, Jess? Next weekp'
II don't know said Jess, celebrating.
She was too simple and direct to be
made, shan't II And Mr.. Helmont will
have to be spoken to. l thought we had to
be cried in church three weeks, George?
Will it be all right without thatp
''pll make it all right, little woman.
Well go to a registrars Office and not
bother Mr.. Helmont at all And look here,
Jess-I don't want you to say anything
about it to your people at home. You'll
Just slip quietly away with me one day
and never go back again. Do you under
stand?"
"Never go back againr' said Jess, open
ing her eyes. mot to tell them that am
marriedg'
mo" said George, decidedly, mot even
for that"
"But 1 thought could help them little
by and by" SAID Jess, in timid voice. 81
know that you say you are not rich, but
you would be rich enough, perhaps, to let
me send them some tea sometimes, or some
baccy or something. | shouldn't like Gran
ny to think was ungrateful. after all she's
done for me-"
'She's done such a lot for you, hasn't
she?" said George, laughing, and pressing
her with his arm. swell. you may send
them tea and baccv-I would rather you
called it tobacco-whenever you like, and
a sovereign now and then. VIII that sat-
isfy your 49,
jess still looked a little troubled and
doubtful.
"Mayn't l go and see them sometimesT'
Like every slave, at heart you hug your
chains.' said George, somewhat bitterly.
10. YES, you may see them from time to
time. But not a word about our marriage
un il give you leave"
every well, George" she said, meekly.
"And now 1 must go, my darling. You
understand that do not ask you to be ST.
lent entirely from selfish motivea 1t
will be better for you in the long run.
Forgive me if 1 spoke Grossly. did not
mean to be angry with my own beautiful
Jess"
In the gathering darkness it was easy for
him to strain her to his breast and to cover
her face with kisses.