The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-25
A FATAL PAST.
BY DORA RUSSELL.
STORM" BRTHRIGHr," Ere,
[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

hand.
''What is there in itY" said Roche, for it
was very thick envelope; in fact, a par
eel
The sneaky man rubbed his hands to-
gether, and cringed and wriggled more than
ever.
Money, sir" he said, good money-a
great deal OF money, Mr.. Roche"
MONEY! repeated Mr.. Roche, and he
turned from the counter and faced the
man. do you suppose then that I'd take
money from any ladyF
As he said this the gaslight in the middle
of the shop fell straight on his good-looking
face, showing it very plainly to some one
who was watching him Unseen. This was a
beautiful woman; woman who was kneel-
ing behind a screen at the opposite side of
the shop TO the counter. This screen was
composed of the usual miscellaneous collec-
ton of a "lady's wardrobe" suspended on
strong cord across the shop. Yes,
there, behind cloaks, petticoats and shawls,
all more or less the worse tor wear, kneit a
woman-a lady dressed in velvet and rich
furs-a lady who looked as if she were IN
used to hide anywhere, and yet who never
theless knelt in this mean place; knelt and
listened with moistened eyes and strange
culver on her lips as she heard the words of
the young soldier.
The stout woman behind the counter
nodded her head approvingly as she heard
them also.
''That's all very right Mr.. Roche" she
said, very right, and like a gentleman.
but this isn't ordinary money. 1t is sent to
you by friend-a relation, in fact-and /
am charged to see it delivered into your own
hands,
''1t is delivered into his own hands, " said
the sneaky man in an injured tone.
ftT 10
stout woman. MY husband. SIR" she
continued, addressing Mr.. Roche,
my husband, Mr.. Twiss, and /
are charged with this COM
mission. We promised to delivered this
money into your own hands, and the only
condition attached to the gift is that you
come here once year-come yourself if you
are in England-for like sum. That is all
my lady told me, think"
Your ladyp repeated Roche, "but who
is your LADY,"
THAT is our secret, SIR" said the stout
"Our secrat, echoed the sneaky man.
rubbing bis lean hands together, apparently
with satisfaction, 'tMy secret, and Mrs.
Twiss' secret, ha, ha, hap
And he gave cackling laugh that set
your teeth on edge as you listened to it.
But how can you expect me -" began
Roche.
Look iuside,n said Mr.. Twiss, still rub
bling his hands together. "Open the en-
velope, young gentleman, and then we'll
see, ha. ha, hap
And he emitted his horrible laugh again
Young Roche did open the envelope. He
opened it and drew out great roll OF bank
notes.
Five hundred pounds" said Mr.. Twiss
wriggling fearfully; in fact, twisting both
his body and face into all SORTS of contor-
tions. Five hundred pounds-fiesh and
blood could not resist thatr'
Give hundred poundsl" said young
Roche, slowly, and his mind went back at
that moment to sundry bills lying unpaid
in his barrack room; to horse which he
had coveted, but had been too Door to buy !;
to hundred things, in fact, pleasing to
young mans fancy.
"But, who sent itr' he said. "Any Of my
fathers family-any one knows"
That's our secret" shrieked Mr.. Twiss,
secret, my secret and Mrs. Twiss'n
Young Roche now looked at the stout
woman behind the counter.
Wont you tell mep he said.
He was handsome lad this, dark and
comely, and was not used to have his re-
quests refused by women, and this old wo-
man smiled upon hiru like the rest.
"You must not ask me, SIR" she said,
''but one thing l may tell you, there's moth
ing dishonorable in 1.-THE lady who sends
you this money has a right to send tit is
her own money, in fact, and nothing will
please her SO much as the idea that you will
enjoy 1t. You are young, and young
people want many things-and you
mustn't hurt the lady, sir, by refusing her
gift"
Young Roche was silent for a moment.
Then he said:
"If / were sure there was nothing dishon-
gentleman's hand"
"Ha, ha, hal" shrieked Mr.. Twiss, ST told
you to look inside. Nothing like money.
sir; nothing, nothing"
ut depends upon where it comes FROM"
said Roche. But l repeat. il this Is all
right"
F'It is, indeed. Mr.. Roche" said Mrs
Twiss, earnestly.
Then you will tell the lady from me,n
obliged-that feel her kindness very much
but that it would add to that kindness
immensely If were permitted to see her
to thank personally the generous friend who
has given me so much"
As young Roche said these words the
lady knesllng hidden behind the suspended
petticoats and shawls gave an audible
sigh.
what is thatp' said Roche, turning
sharply round.
Its the cat" said Mrs. Twiss, after a
moments hesitation.
''It's the catg" cried Mr.. Twiss, wriggling
worse than ever, ''the cat and kittens. ha,
ha, hal"
II thought il sounded like SIGH" said
young Roche.
Mrs. Twiss moved uneasily behind the
counter.
"OhI no, sir" she said. "But excuse an
old woman, put your notes out of sight, for
London's queer place, and its dangerous
carrying much money about. You will be
safer the sooner you are at home now"
rs that a hintp' said Roche, smiling.
"Do you want me to go away, Mrs.
Twissf'
Mrs. Twiss smiled.
~ wont you to get your money safely
home. sir, she said.
"But l must have a receipt said Mr.
Twiss, hastily. 81 have it made out here,
SIR" and he laid g crumpled piece of paper
with a stamp on it upon the counter.
please just sign your name here"
Francis Roche did sign his name, and
then after few more words he left the
shop.
"Ask the lady, he, however, said again
to Mrs. Twiss before he quilted the ''lady's
wardrobe" IF she viii SEQ met Give