The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-29
CHAPTER xx.-MR. rwIss LISTENS.

Mrs. Twiss was a very devoted wife, and
loved Mr., TwisS in q surprising manner,
considering his personal attractions. Yet
even Mrs. Twlss felt her mean-looking little
spouse to be In the way on the afternoon Of
Lady Elnismore's proposed visit. She tried
to induce him, therefore, to go to some
place of amusement, and playfully put a
half-sovereign into his eager baud, for
Tommy dearly loved money, and urged
him to go out and enjoy himself.
Tommy took the half-sovereign, but did
not seem in hurry TO leave the Lady's
Wardrobe. He began to suspect indeed,
that Mrs. Twiss wanted him for some
reason of her own to leave the house. and
this made him very suspicious. At last he
did go, bat only round the corner of the
next street, where he could keep mis- eve on
tae Lady's Wardrobe. and after waiting a
a short time he was rewarded by seeing a
hanson drive up 20 the door, from which
Lady Ennismore descended.
Tnls circumstance alone; the fact that
Lady Ennismore had arrived in hanson
increased Tommy's suspicious. Lady En-
nsmore always went there in her own car
riage, so why should she go in a hanson
now, Tommy ref acted. and he felt con-
WINGED there was a mystery about it, He
therefore approached his own door little
nearer, but waited quite half an hour be-
fore anyone else entered the Lady's Ward
robe.
Then, tall shabby man, who had once
been good-looking, but was good.looking no
logger; q man worn and weather-beaten,
came slouching along the street, looking at
each doorway as he passed, and when he
perceived the old fiuery hanging behind
Mrs. Twiss' windows he stopped short and
glanced at the name above the shop.
This seemed 20 satisfy him, for ne at once
went up the raised steps, from the street,
aud at no nd
peared from Tommy's view.
AN intrigue, | Suppose" thought
Tommy; "Martha should not encourage
such things" (Martha was Mrs. Twiss' christ
ian namel; land yet, perhaps, they pay,
but she should have consulted me-but
women are full of tricks"
In the meanwhile let us follow the tall.
weathsr-heaten. world-beaten stranger into
Mrs. Twiss'i presence. This worthy woman
was standing behind her )unter watching
for him, and she gave a slight start and biz
her under lip as he crossed her threshold.
He glanced round quickly as he did so,
and then addressed Mrs. Twiss
Il came here to meet lady ?" he said,
inquiringly, looking at the comely stout
visage before him. But the next moment
his expression changed.
why. Lorimer, old girl. is it actually
you Tnis is a surprise, aud yet l might
have known Katie inc would come to YOU
about anything concerning ms if you were
still in the land Of the living. Well, how
are you But need not ASK why, woman,
you are six times the sizs you weren
81 do not quite unders and what You are
talking about, sirg' answered Mrs Twiss, in
a reserved and somewhat faltering tone.
The stranger upon this wInked one of his
bloodshot eyes.
"Oh yes. you do now," he said you
understand very well who | am, and all
about it. lam George Roche. whom you
knew long ago, and who was supposed to
end his mortal career in the deep seas, And
you know l have written to Katherine NAL
den, your old mistress, now called Lady
Ennismore, to tell her have cast up again,
and I've no doubt she is waiting for me
here"
Mrs. Twiss hesitated for moment, and
then she said coldly enough.
Perhaps you will walk upstairs into the
drawing room, sir, and I'll ses if any lady
is here.n
The stranger gave harsh laugh.
You women are fine actresses he said ::
"well, lead the way, Lorimer, and I'll fol,
low"
Mrs. Twiss accordingly lead the way up
the staircase to tine drawing and
having requested the visitor TO take seat,
she descended again and went behind one of
the rows of old gowns hanging on cord
across the shop, behind which Lady Ennis
more was standing with face so ghastly,