The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-25
CHAPTER II.
Mr.. THOMAS TWIsS.

Five minutes later Mr.. and Mrs. Twiss
were standing together alone beside the
counter of the lady's wardrobe. "My
lady's" carriage Ia plain dark green one,
with a coronet painted ON the panels), had
come and gone, and in it my lady" had left
the shop; Mrs. Twiss escorting her to the
carriage, for Mrs. Twiss had been lady's
maid first to my lady's mother, and after
ward ito my lady" herself in her unwedded
days.
Then in moment Of weakness Jiorimer
las she was then named) had married Mr.
Thomas TwiEs Lorimer had saved money
in her ladys service, and Mr.. Thomas Twiss
was lady's clerk, and as a promising in
vestment" chiefly Mr.. Thomas Twiss had
married Lorimer. The was years older
than her husband, but she was good, hon
est woman, and actually in love with Mr..
Thomas Twiss. What she saw in him no
one could tell. He was ugly, poor and not
very fascinating; but the fact remained the
same. Lorimer married him for love, and
loved him still At this moment 1--we min>
utes after my lady'sn carriage had driven
away, this beloved one was looking little
pensive.
"What are you thinking of, Tommyg'
said Mrs. Twiss, laying her hand Affection
ately on his lean shoulder.
tits deal of money to give away" said
Tommy, with a contemplative air.
"You mean the money my lady has
given Mr.. Rochew said Mrs. Twiss, inqulr-
ingly.
Tommy nodded his head.
ga deal of money to go out Of ones
hands, as it were," he said again, and this
time he sighed.
well, she can afford it." answered Mrs.
Twiss, cheerfully, land it doesn't cost us
anything, Tommy, this within of my
lady's."
I II had it in my hands," said Tommy,
sadly, land don't know why-but it a
kind of stuck to my fingers"
"Oh, Tommy, it wasn't yours!" said Mrs.
Twiss, in fond reproval.
sit might have been, nretorted Tommy,
Elbow, my deara"
Tommy made no reply to this conjugal
inquiry. He did not tell the partner of his
life that a temptation had assailed him
when my lady" and Mrs Twiss had in
structed him to give this money to Mr..
Francis Roche. His instructions had been
to get Mr.. Roche into the lady's wardrobe
IL he could, but il he couldn't to give him
the parcel of notes in the streets. Tommy's
temptation had been to run away with the
notes-run away from the partner of bis
life with five hundred pounds in his pocket
But Tommy had resisted the temptation
firstly, because he was afraid he might be
caught; secondly. because Mrs. Twiss had
saved more than five hundred pounds; and.
thirdly, because he led a very easy life at
the ladys wardrobe; his wife spending
many hours daily in the ministering to his
creature comforts, and as she was a good
cook, Tommy valued her accordingly.
Still, in spite of all these reasons, Tommy
now felt himself to be a virtuous, almost an
injured man. He had had this money in his
hands, and he had not run away with it;
therefore, Tommy felt he was virtuous, and
felt little sad. perhaps, also, that he had
missed an opportunity.
"Well, / hope he'll make a good use of it,"
said Mrs. Twiss, seeing that the money he
had given to young Roche was still pressing
on her husbands mind. She's a fine young
fellow, at any rate"
ISIS be like his fatherY' said Tommy. look
ing up sharply in his wife's face.
flush, Tommy" answered Mrs. Twiss,
almost with frightened look; ''there are
some things we must not talk about"
"That we must not talk aboutW said
Tommy, going up to his wife and putting
his thin arm lovingly round her substan-
tial shoulders "Have you any secrets
from me. Martial Ought you to have any
secretsgn
sNot Of my own, Tommy" replied Mrs.
Twiss, tenderly. 'But there are secrets
sometimes in families"
"Whisper this one, my love- said Mr..
IOmmY lWlSs, lhyluS y6i1OW Cueok
against his wifes; 'it's safe, you know, with
meas safe as it's with you"
Mrs, Twiss was overcome by Tommy's
caiolements. She whispered few words
in his ear, and then told him a long story
that she had no right to tell. Tommy
listened with satisfaction. He thought he
saw his way as his wife went on with her
tale to future emolument.
''But you will never breathe this, Tommy
never to a living soull" said Mrs Twiss,
anxiously, after having done all the mischief
that she could do.
Never" said Tommy, solemnly, consid-
ering at that moment how he could turn
her information to the best advantage.
Hes not to blame, at any rate con-
tinued Mrs. Twiss. speaking of Mr.. Francis
Roche, land he seems very fine young
man.
Every" again answered Tommy solemnly
and briefly, for he was still going on with
his menlal calculations.
In the meantime, Mr.. Francis Roche,
''the fine young man, Mrs. Twiss was
speaking Of, was conhding to friend the
wonderful piece of good luck which had oc-
Cured to him.
This friend yves an officer in his own regi-
ment-the Hon. Arthur Curzon. Mr.. Cur
ION listened to Francis Roche's tale with
some secret envy it must be admitted.
Five hundred pounds in ready money
would have made Mr.. Curzon. be was think