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

mont OF tnS artillery. de was good hus-
baud 70 me while he lived. but he died
when Francis was a child. and left me with
out penny. An, ny dear, may You never
know what it Is 20 hear your children cry
ing for tread when You have none to give
them. L could get no work. had no
moRy-I thought that we should starve.
Ii seemed to me that [ had better throw
myself and my children over Blackfriars
bridge than take the only path that was
open to women in such straits But | did
not know what to do. And one night |
went out with my children clinging to my
skirts, thinking that / would end it all-and
gentleman saw my face and askel me
what was the Inatter-cOuld be help meg |
was frightened at first; but then | saw he
spoke simply out of kindness, and | told
him my story. And-and-it was your
uncle, George; your uncle, Henry East
wood"
Il never knew all this" murmured the
young man.
No, he was too kind tell my story. He
gave me money and made me buy clothes
and food; aud then, when We looked re-
spectacle again, he brought us all down
here and installed me as his housekeeper.
As you know, be sent Francis to school
and college, and he had Diana educated i'll
the best possible way. He may be hasty at
times, but he has the most generous Of
hearts,
HE has, indeed" said George, slowly.
And from the first he made up his
mind" said Mrs. Helmont, eagerly, THAT
you would marry Diana. He set his heart
upon it. | don't know how often
has spoken of it to me. 1t has
been the dream of years. And what he
| will do if she refuses | cannot tell.
But he will be just-he will do nothing.
What are you afraid of OFF,
go kfIaarcra y said tba pnotbor
her hand upon his arm, Suppose he turns
us out into the world againl do not mind
for myself, but for her-for her | dream
at night sometimes, that we are wandering
| through the London streets again, cold and
hungry, and afraid; and-I am not so
strong as | used to be, George-and l wake
crying, with my heart beating as if 1t
would burst out Of my body, and my limbs
| trembling for fear, and aching with weari-
nessl What will become of US if he is angry
and turns us outm
But, my dear aunt, Diana is not child
now. You would never have to support
her or yourself, even if the worst came to
the worst, and my uncle did turn you outl
| There is Francis to depend upon. / should
be always ready to see that you came to no
harm. And Diana is quite we'll able to
take care of herself You must take
courage, and everything will turn out
well.n
II have been so careful all these years, ."
moaned Mrs. Helmont. II have never
contradicted her uncle or opposed him in
the least. | knew that | owed my very
life to him. Nobody can say that | was
not grateful, George. And now this girl
overthrows all my plans-althongh She
| knows as well as do what she owes to him
and refuses to marry you. o, it is shame
full of her it is shameful and it will break
my heart"
She covered her face and burst into tears,
while George, standing mp, turned to the
window and looked out, with frown upon
his face. What was Diana thinking ofl he
wondered. Why had she contrived mat
ters SO unskillfully? There was no help for
it; he could not keep silence any longer; he
must clear her, and confess that he had
never asked her to marry him after all He
turned round again, with the words upon
mis- lips. and beheld-Diana herself.
She had entered the room very quietly
and was looking at her mother. Her face
was little pale, and her lips quivered once
or twice, but she seemed perfectly calm.
She came to Mrs. Helmont's side and put
her arm around her mothers slender
shoulders, shaken by the storm of sobs
Some incoherent words escaped the poor
woman's lips as she felt that gentle touch.
"Ungrateful! hard-hearted! cruell"
George heard her say.
mo, mother dear, / am not that.n
Diana answered, very gently, ''but | have
chosen my own lot in life and l am going
to be happy in it. l do not wish to marry
George, mother; and | think that after all
neither you nor uncle Henry will be dis
pleased with me for my decision. I have
promised this afternoon to be Lord Hex
hams wife,