The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-07


pleasant enough
AT is not hkely that I shall be able 70 ac-
cept Lady Falconridge's invitation said
Winifrel
But it is all settled. Did you not know
that my mother spoke about IL to the au-
thorities when she was here yesterday She
has arranged everything. Yon are To have
IA months leave Of absence in August, and
you are t. be Lady Falconridge's guest at
Gleu-0rloch.
The prospect opened out by Lady Falcon
ridges invitation was very attractive to
Wluifred, but she did not know that mat
tors had gone So far When the invitation
was given she thanked Lady Falconridge
Tor her kindness, but in terms that left it
doubtful whether her engagements ab the
hospital would ender its accentance posi-
be. Evidently Lady Falcoaridge had not
so understood her meaning, or she had gone
To Work In her own way g. remove what
she considered to tie the only impediment
IN Winifccd's path. But Niaiired was
conscious Of an element CT danger to her
peace II She veutured TO Glen Orioch nud
was thrown into daily companionship with
her handsome patient She would have
been still moro disturbed If she had known
the circumstance under which the invita-
ton bad been brought about.
Lady Falconridge was strongly drawn to
Winifred from the hour when first they met
by the bedside whore her son lay uncon-
scious, the result of an accident In which
the Honorable Claude Maelean had been
thrown FROM his horse at Hyde Park corner.
IN which he had sustained severe concus-
sion and several broken RIBS. The feeling
which had drawn her 10 WinifTod from tho
beginning was immens3ly strengthened now
that her SON was out Of dagger and she
was Informed by the SURGEON who had
Hharga pt Tha fins %, t,-.s
splendid constitution, Mr. Maciean owed his
HE TO the intelligence and devotion Of
Nurse West. Lady Falcontidge WA anx-
lous To show Winifred some return, and il
was in her mind chat Il change from the
sitting ward of London hospital in the
summer months 60 the breezy situation and
pure mountain air of Glen-Orloch would 10
a welcome benefit. She was still mentally
debating the point when u communication
from her son decided her.
Only yesterday Claude Macleau had told
his mooher that be had met his fate in the
beautiful woman who had nursed him back
10 life. Promise me that you will not
speak TO her OF this uutil we know her
better, aud | will ask her TO stay with me ut
Glen-Orloch," she had sid. "lf we nud
her worthy 1 viii not gainsay your
And Claude Maclean gave the promise
required OF him.
But of this Winifred knew nothing She
only supposed that Lady Falconridge was
anxious to prove her gratitude for her sons
recovery, ana had chosen this way Of show
ing it, Winifred Acknowledged to herself
that the change would be beneficial 10 her,
and though she was yet una ware that Claude
Maclean had possessed himself OF the love
of her whole heart, she scented danger
from afar and dreaded what might be the
result Of an enlsrging intimacy with one
who correspondent so entirely with her ideal
OF noble manhood.
Her interest IN him had been excited from
the moment that he was borne into tho
ward bleeding and insensible from his in
juries. She thought that she had never seen
50 perfect a'speciInon of manly physique,
and warmer interest than merely pro-
fessional feeling dictated had inspired her 10
secoud the efforts Of the surgeons to save
the threatened life. For long time the
issue hung in doubt. There was not only
the conclusion to contend against, but the
patient had received severe internal injuries.
As no lay in his bed unconscious with his
long, powerful, well knit rame outlined by
the bed clothes, his classic features aud
noble brow whittier than the pillow ON which
his head rested, he looked TO WinIfred like
the sculptared eiligy of some god-lIe hero
done in marble.
10 was ineyi able when oonvalesence be-
came established that condolences should DO
exchanged. Though only u and the young
est son Of noble Scottish house. Claude
Maclean had won for himself name in
the world Of art. He had tried his hand at
pertraiture successfully, but ended by max
ing landscape his forte, aud in this branch
of art he bade fair 70 win to himself posi-
ton amongst the first. Art was the one
subject on which Winifred's enthusiasm
could most easily be excited. In the OPP
portunities for conversation which occurred
whilst Claude Maclean was waiting for
his broken ribs to mend, Winfred loved to
draw him out TO speak on the one theme
which interested her so profoundly to the
exclusion Of any other.
Maclean noticed the enthusiasm which
was kinded by his conversation on these
topics and before long cOntrived to learn
ali that Winifred had TO tell OF herself.
She told him OF the lessons she had received
before her fathers wound entailed his re-
tirement from the army and Of the attempts
she had after ard made TO improve her
capabilities under his instructions for her
father was himself no mean ARTIST by max
ing replicas Of such small pictures as he
selected in the galleries OF the Louvre, a d
of his death, which ended her hopes In this
direction. Every circumstance conspired
to bring them closer together and TO
bJTtllStu0i iILktAAe@Ny.
OF her marriage to Sir Reginald Denison
she did rot speak. 10 was seld IN her mind
required to the fatal mistake Of her life, and
never without feeling Of horror and bitter
sense OF shame which impelled her to ban
ish the recollection. She had grown TO think
OF that dark episode in her OK stence as a
dreadful nightmare that had happened TO
her in her sleep and winch the waking
reality had dlspelled The thought did not
present itself to her that the friendly rela-
lions into which she was drifting with the
Honorable Claude Macleau might prove
injurious TO bis happiness. In some dim
way sbe was conscious Of danger to herself,
but that a young man Of high descent and
undoubted genius in his profession would
lose his heart TO a hospital nurse whom
chance had thrown in his way. did not oc-
cur TO her.
So it came to pass that she bcnt to cir
curnstances like a reed before the wind, and
that one bright morning in August, after
breaking her journey for one night at Edin-
burgh, when the train drew up at DalmailY
near tao head Of Loeb Ave, she was salated
by a tall, stalwart young Scotclmau.
wearing knickerbocker suit II gray tweed,
and q Glsngarry cap perchcd on bis band
some head.
Claude Maclean's face, bronzed with ex-
posture. was banning with happiness as he
assisted her TO aiight.
~ am very pleased 10 800 you, Miss
West,n he said, shaking her hard warmly
land my mother is waiting to give you "a
highland welcome q. Glen.Orch.'
TO BE CONTINUED.