The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-03-09
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pressing something because Miss Vyner
(whom she hated) was present, and that She
wished to speak to him alone. Meanwhile,
Miss Vyner sat and shifted audibly; her one
idea that Jessica Strong, as she called her,
was robbed and murdered, gave her sense
OF Measurable excitement, which she did
not like to relinQuish. She was not at all
bad hearted woman, but to find such a
commonplace solution of the mystery as
the one which Mrs. Fogg seemed inclined to
offer was something of q disap-
pointment to her. She had not as
yet had the slightest suspicion of
a closer bond existing between Miss Strong
and Mr.. Eastwood than that of couisnShip
or guardian, and ward; and although she
had gathered from Jess manner and Mr..
East woods interest in her studies that some
warmer feeling existed than was apparent
to the outer world, she had only gained
thereby romantic liking for the girl, and
a conviction that she was being educated
for the position of George Eastwoods wife.
Mrs. Fogg had jealousy guarded her mas
ter's secret: and neither by word nor deed
had Jess betrayed her earlier history.
George hesitated for moment. Then he
said abruptly:
Excuse me, Miss Vyner. Come here for
a moment, Mrs. Fogg," and led the way
into an adjoining room.
Thus left alone, Miss Vyner tossed her
head and pursed up her pale lips indig-
nantly.
There's something wrong here; know
there isl she said to herself, in prophetic
tone. Now, | would Just like to kno W
what it can BET"
Meanwhile, George and his housekeeper
confronted one another.
what does this msanw he asked impa-
tientlv.
"Well, sir, it MEANS" said Mrs Fogg,
that wasn't going to say all l thought
before that cat-faced woman. She's ready
enough to pry and to peep without me
letting her into my opinions. The real
truth is, sir, that believe you've been de-
calved shameful in that girl"
Just be good enough to remember whom
you're speaking of, Fogg"
zoo, remember fast enough" said Mrs.
Fogg, disdainfully. "l remember her
when she came in rags to your studic-place,
satins to please you. And when you came
to me with your story of how you wanted
somebody to take charge of this house, and
act landlady and care-taker to this girl
who was to be called Miss Strong for the
present, and when she was dedicated enough
you meant TO marry her-ald l like fool
believed you"
"Aud may ask what you don't be-
lleve now" said George, fiercely; ''or what
that has to do with the matter2"
"Well, sir, it has good deal to do with
the matter, and think you hai better
listen TO me for minute OF two" said Mrs.
Fogg, crossing her hands over he waist,
and regarding the young man with mingled
pity and severity. II though it was silly
sort of business. but that maybe it wouldn't
come to much, and the girl was pretty and
innocent lookirg-Ill say that for her
and | fancied | could take care of her. But
you didn't bring her hero until Decem Der,
MIR. George, and you never told me where
you'd been before then. She said to me
she'd been at school. I've thought that
maybe you had been her school all that
long time since the spring you painted her
picburen
you're fool, Fogg, for your palms.
What does all this tend to9 must find her,
and you are wasting time"
"No, Pm not, Mr.. George" said the
housekeeper calmly. "Y QUILL see In a min
ute or two that am helping you. You
told me all along that you meant to marry
her one day. She thought so, too, by the
way she went on. Well, sir, maybe you
were married to her already, or maybe
you'd taken advantage of her youth and her
inexperience-"
She paused, and George uttered an angry
sound, which might have been taken ether
for denial or impatience, and then stood
listening.
"But the truth was, sir. believe, that
she began to think that she was coming to
shame, and that as you didn't seem to care
for her as much as you had done, she would
run away and hide herself. That's what l
believe. And as for her black bag, she
didn't take night-dress, nor brush and
comb, nor anything but bottle of brandy
out of the cupboard: and what she meant
to do with that, goodness knows. unless it
was present TO the old woman that she
used to live with In Mill street. And that's
where think she's gone. and why"
George Eastwood mad turned deadly pale
during the recital, and when Mrs. F5gg
had finished he turned upon her 50 angrlly,
that for a moment she expected him to
strike her to the ground. But she was mis-
taken in this he was of a gentle nature.
and would never have raised his hand
against any woman. But he broke out into
bitter reputation of her words.
"You are a meddling Troublesome fool,
Foggi What business have you to inquire
into my affairs? Care less for her, did you
say2 | cared more and more for berthe
more / knew of her the more | caredl How
on ear,h could she 60 away for such rea-
sons9 Shamo2-there was no shame to
come upon her. She was my wife-my
welded wife-and I would not have had
harm come to hair of her head!'
Mrs Fogg threw up her hands.
"Then may the shame light on your head,
Mr.. George she said warmly, "for you
may be sure that there's some coming The
poor young thingl / misdoubted lately
that there'd been mischief, but never
thought that you'd married her, secret-like,
and never told me a word about It'll"
"What was the use of telling your said
George, more ashamed of his silence than
he liked to own.
"There's always use in telling the truth"
said Mrs. Fogg, who, although cross
grained and hard as she some lines APP
peared, had not only very clear views of
right and wrong, but 1T corner In her
heart in which all the Eastwoods had a
place. "And there would have bsen use in
telling me, above all others. You should
ha' trus el your old nursery, Master
George. and not let me think evil Of her as
was your lawful wife. You'd have saved
Yourself this trouble, thel for l wouldn't
hai let her 20 out without knowing where
$40 was going to--n0t III Aud now she's
g,ue-nobody knows where, and maybe 70
her own d sst'ucu )nl"
~ told YOU TO look after her" said the
Young man, with whitening lips.
aTod mel Aye, and how did you tell
meg A girl that mad been model, and a
fiower.seiler before that, with drunken
IA Granddaughter down Ia Nil street, As
IN / ever III ught she was % 70 be your
wlfel BATH you've married heT, there's 40