The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-03
TALL RIGHTS RESERVED
CHAPTER xxx.
BAD NEWS.

in the act of shaving himself, and was some
what grimly regarding the color of hi'
mustache.
Uncle Walter Uncle Walter" called
Francis from without, may l come in
I've got something to tell you"
''Coafound the boy" muttered the colonel.
within, and he cut his chin as he spoke.
Whatever can he want at this time Of the
morningl Something about that girl, / sup
pose. What on earth is the matter, Frank"
he called out aloud. What are you max
ing such row aboutp
May come inr said Francis, opening
the door without further leave and enter
ing the room newspaper in hand. There
is such terrible thing happened, Uncle
Walter-it's in the paper hereford Ennis
mere was shot yesterday in the woods at
Brackenford.'
Not deadHi asked the colonel, hastily,
turning round razor in hand.
mo, not dead, but he is badly wounded.
Shot in the chest, and Sir William Thomp-
son has started for Brac senford. line re-
port is that he has been accidentally shot by
poachers."
mot unlikely. It's bad business. Con
foundedly awkward, too, just now"
That's what | wanted so much to see
yoa for, Uncle Walter" said Francis
Roche, earnestly. Tvs impossible, utterly
impossible, at such time to add to Lady
Ennismore's anZieties. shall certainly be
no party in doingso, and if have any infu.
ence on-mv father and Francis hesitated
moment; ''or if be has any good feeling
left, ne will surely never attempt it."
"You are quite righs. Frank. You had
best see this fellow and explain how for the
present this affair m st be kept absolutely
quiet. Good heavens! Poor Lady Ennis
more, what q shock it must be to herr
"A dreadful shock. Yes, I will go at the
time be fixed and tell him what you think
and what / think. Beside, surely"
But what if Ennismore dies" inter
rupted Col Roche, slowly, In that case,
perhaps, 1t will only be natural that he
should assert his claims, and besides it
might make a considerable difference to
you"
"Ihope Lord Ennismore will not die; he's
fine old fellow a warm-hearted, manly old
fellow, and he was very kind TO me-"
Il should scarcely call Ennismore old"
said the colonel, resuming his shaving;
however, you young people think every
one old who is past 30, though it's very alb
surd to do So"
II did not mean old in one sense" ex-
planned Francis; but he is good deal older
than Lady Ennismore, isn't heF
Handsome women never get old, my boy.
But go and order breakfast, I'll be down in
ten minutes; and leave the newspaper,
want to read the particulars about poor En-
nismoren
So Francis left the newspaper containing
the first account of Lord Ennis nores inju-
ries, and went to order breakfast and then
stood by the fire full of thought. 1t would
make a great change to every one concerned
il anything happened TO Lord Ennismore
he knew. 1t would place Lady Ennismore
in different position also, and make his
own fathers claims easier to bear. But that
she should not be disturbed at present he
was determined.
"Hen-somehow Francis Roche could not
yet reconcile himself even to think of
George Roche as his father-"he must
listen TO what I've got to say, and-my
poor mother, should like to be of some
help and comfort to her now-but l suppose
that cannot be-"
Then his thoughts went to Helen Drum
moud, and their strange and unexpected
meeting of the night before
''She looks very sad sometimes, and vet
what a dear face it as he reflected. 81
think she cares for me-yes, am sure she
was glad to see me, and love her-ever,
ever so well.
His thoughts were interrupted by his
uncle. who entered the room erect. clean
Eheven, and stalwart looking usual. Col
Roche had read the account of Lord Ennis
more's wounds, and to his mind they seemed
very serious.
Il know Sir William Thompson we'll :"
he said TO Francis Roche, land he will
probably return to town tomorrow, and
Iii try to get hint Of what he really
thinks Of poor Ennisn re. Sir William
extracted q couple OF bullets from this arm
once, you remember.' and the colonel
touched MS left arm.
Yes, remember, sir. He's very skill
full surgeon, isn't hep
"a clever fellow, and pleasant fellow,
too. Yes. poor Ennismore will have every
chance, but | don't like chest wounds; it's
too near the lungs, and if they are touched
1t plays the very devil"
1--WE must hope for the best; and after
brea Efast-he said 10 O'Clock, didn't he!-I
must 20 and look up-well, Mr. George
Roche,n
Its not easy for you, my boy, either to
think Of him or speak of him as your father.
But all the same, there is no doubt he is
Confoundly disagreeable for us both to have
such fellow come to light again; but there
1t Is. I've been thinking how to make the best
of is; but then that business at Lynwood
long ago was unfortunately known Poor
Daubeny hushed it up as best he could after
George was supposed to be lost at sea; but
. still there are men in the service wh0 vel
remember it, if he were to come into any
prominent position-confoundedly unpleas
antm
at certainly is, more than unpleasant
but even he, think, will show some feeling
for-heT-now.n
Cant say what such fellows will do; bu
use all your influence to make him hold hi
tongue, at all events at present-and now
my dear lad let US have our breakfasts"
After this meal had been discussed by the
uncle and nephew it was time for Francis
Roche to start on his visit to Georg
Roche. He went with the feelings we hav,
when anything unpleasant is directly befor
US. 1t must be got over. so there is no US
Sinking the inevitable. Francis Roche
inevitable consisted in going into a soon
smelling strongly of stale smoke, ant
fumes and stains Of strong drinks Georg
Roche had INDUCED himself the might be
fore In the company of one or two choic
spirits, and their hilarity had been carriet
on to the small hours Of the morning. II
was not downstairs when the well~dresse
good 'looking young soldier whom h
claimed as his son arrived TO visit him. No
had the sitting-roOm apparently where tn
ogre was held been swept or arranged afte
it, until Francis appeared. Then an untid
mistress and an untidy maid rushed in AM
amid apologies from the landlady half
empty glasses and empty bottles were car
ried away and breakfast hnrriedly carrie,
in.
Mr.. johnson had few friends last night