The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-17

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though he was pretending TO read the news
papers. upon this laid down his paper on a
table near, and went forward to the fire.
place where Francis Roche was standing by
his wife's chair.
what are you saying, my dearP he said.
For, you know, / never listen when you
are talking to young men," and he smiled
grimly as he spoke.
Mr.. Roche has just been telling me he
wishes to marry Miss Dalton, and though /
am very sorry for myself il l must lose
her, have been promising to help him if l
can"
MIR. Roche has shown most excellent
taste, in my opinion, in choosing 50 charm
ing young lady for his wife, answered
the little general. II beg TO offer you my
cordial congratulations"
"Oh. but sir said Roche. with bright
smile, 1 am not happy enough yet to re-
ceive them. Helen-Miss Dalton-has not
yet promised to marry me-but hope she
will
81 am sure she will, j." said Mrs. SouthweI,
kindly; land we must have the wedding
from e, George. 1t will make US all feel
young again.
I'VE must hope So" replied the general,
still a little grimly.
1t was said, indeed, that the temper Of her
lord had been one of charming Mrs. South
wells crosses in life. but if so she had never
actually complained Of it.
By this time Helen, laying rearranged
her hair and Gained down her happy ex-
element, entered tue drawing-room very
demurely, wi h her eyes cast down, and as
she approached the little group by the fire.
place. to her astonishment the general ad-
vanced with outstretched hand.
ALLOW me to congra ulate you, Miss
Dalton" he said ito warmly congratulate
you. Mr.. Roche is almost stranger to
me, certainly, but l have known his uncle,
Col. Roche, for many long year, and l
know ne has a very high opinion of his
nephew"
Helen raised her bright eyes, and blushed
scarlet.
"Oh, Frank" she cried reproachfully,
looking at Francis Roche, who, it must be
admitted, felt rather ashamed of himself
under the fire OF the generals cong-atula,
tiJns
"The general has left you no choice, Miss
Dalton" said Mrs. Southwell with a soft
little laugh. "Come, we know all about it.
you know all about it, you see, and SO you
need not deny it, and / must congratulate
you toop'
And as she spoke she kissed Helen on both
of her blushing cheeks.
Helen knew not what to say. She stood
there looking very handsome, and then
again glanced half-shyly, half -repoachfully
at Francis Roche, who now advanced and
tCok her hand.
Don't be angry with me, Helen" he
said, but could not help telling Mrs.
Southwel who has been so kind, that we
were engaged to each other long ago, and
that now hope it is all settled again be-
tween u.s."
"He is very willful young man, fear,
Mrs. Southwell, y said Helen, coyly.
HE will not be gainsaid, you see," an
swered Mrs. Southwell, who was greatly
amused at the little scene. "Well, my dear,
you must just make the best of him-as we
all have to do WITH our husbandsn
And vice-versa" remarked the general,
dryly.
Thus it was all arranged, almost without
Helen's consent, and before the evening
was over Francis Roche, having stayed to
dinner in his new position as her betrothed
Helen absolutely found herself sitting hand
in hand with her kind friend. Mrs. South
we'll, in the softly lit drawing room, and
the two were talking Of the coming wed
ding day.
1t seemed like dream to Helen that night
after Francis Roche was gone, but at all
events it was a happy dream, and Que she
would not fam awaken from.
AS for Francis, he was in such state of
excitement that when he left Mrs. South
wells he suddenly thought he would like to
go and tell both his uncle, Col. Roche and
also George Roche! But a glance at his
watch showed him the folly of such pro-
csediDgs, for it was past 10 o'clock, and the
col onel, as rule, re, ired early, and loved
not to be disturbed. And then George
Roche-well Francis luckily remembered in
time the state of his fathers apartment
when he had gone early one morning, and
he feared to come on some meeting of
choice and hilarious spirits if he intruded
! at this time of night, ana so he wisely at
last made up mis- mind to keep his news to
| himself until the m rning.
And when the morning came the early
| papers contained a paragraph concernirg
the state of Lord Ennis uore, which made
| Francis Roche think of other things as well
| as Helen Drummond.
I'VE regret to learn, it was stated, "that
| a change for the worse has, it is feared,
| occurred in the condition of Lord Ennis
more. Hemorrhage from the lungs set in
| during last evening, aud the doctors con-
slider this symptom very unfavorable
| one.n
Thus. while he had been sitting so happily
| by Helen's side, great al guish. he knew,
| must have fallen on the heart Of the woman
on whom his birth had already br ught
| such sorrow. And the idea Spbered Fran
els and made his face very grave when he
! first saw his uncle, Col. Roche, who had
| already seen the news.
Poor Ennismorep' said the colonel. 81
fear it is all up with him; just what said,
| hate chest wounds"
ut is such a terrible thing for her, .
answered Francis feelingly.
| "Terriblel And yet, Frank, perhaps it
| would have been more terrible, under the
circumstances, il he had lived. Poor Ennis
more's death will make great difference to
| you"
Francis did not speak, nor did he feel in
clined to tell his uncle of his engagement to
Helen Drummond. The face of the genial
happy man who had been summoned in the
midst of his days, as it were, rose at this
moment before him, and Francis Roche
left his breakfast almost untasted, and was
very silent during the rest of the meal,
though the colonel ate his with his usual
appetite.
| "You had best go and look after that re-
spected relation of ours. Frank, this morn
| ing presently said the colonel after be had
finished his second cup of tea, and his bacon
and kidneys, and cold grouse. He'll see
| this as well as we have about poor En- is
more, and you must keep him quiet, if pos
sible."
II was just thinking of that, Uncle
Walter" answered Francis.
Accordingly, as soon as he thought
| George Roche would be ready to receive
him, Francis started for his fathers rooms
and found him highly excited over the sad
| news about Lord Ennismore.
Have you seen this, Francis, my boy?'
| h., kNA 10 e. A. al