The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-01
A FATAL PAST.
By DORA RUSSELL.
STORM" B1RrHR1eHr" Ere Eric -
[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.1

IL VIII just be the parson from the
manss coming begging again." thought
satisfying em."
Still Elizabeth put on clean apron. and
set her cap Alright before she answered the
Dell. But instead of 1.-THE parsou from the
manse," as she called the Rev. Joshua
Homes, who was incumbent of the parish, a
tall, lanky, rsd-haIred youth stood before
her. yclept Johnny Campbell.
Johnny was the eldest, indeed the only
son OF Mrs. Campbell, of Ardleigh Lodge,
was the owner of much of the property
around, including Ardleigh House, and, as
the future laird, was regarded with some
respect by Elizabeth, in spite of his lanki-
ness and his red hair
Are the ladies at homew gasped Johnny
Campbell, blushing crimson through his
freckles, as Elizabeth opened the door.
Yes, MIR. Campbell, they arc, both of
'em, replied Elizabeth.
Gould see Miss HELENE" inquired Johnny
even yet more embarrassed.
The truth was Johnny had fallen a victim
to Helen's fair face, and, after repeatedly
having met her on the hills, had induced his
dotlng mother to call on her tenant,
Miss Drummond. Margaret Drummond
had received this visit civilly but coldly, and
certainly did not encourage the intentions
of the young laird. 1t was a standing Joke,
indeed, with Helen, Johnny Campbell's
awkward attempts at wooing. and even
Miss Druminond could not resist smiling
when Johnny came to call at Ardleigh
house, and would sit utterly silent for half
an hour at a time, with his blue eyes fixed
steadily on Helen's face.
She's a-singing in the drawing room,
now" said Elizabeth addressing him, and
abiding to Helen. Don't We hear her. Mr..
Csmpbells She's voice like bird"
johnny found no words to reply to this
speech, but stood mutely on the door mat
listening with all the strength Of his great
red ears to the warbling from above. He
was deeply and sincerely in love with Helen
Drummond, though he found no language
to express this. and Elizabeth Considering
he would be the future owner of the estate
Of Ardleigh) felt some little womanly SYM
pathy for this silent lover.
'Shall show We up!" she continued.
Johnny gave her to understand he wished
to ''go up" and accordingly Elizabeth
ushered him up the broad oak staircase.
Then she opened the drawing room door,
''Mr. Campbell, Miss Helen,n she an
nounced and Helen rose from the piano with
a smile, as the tall young Scotchman STUN
bled into the room.
Good morning, Mr.. Campbell, /" she said,
politely, but Johnny spoke no word.
Tell my aunt that Mr.. Campbell is here,
Elizabeth" continued Helen, and Elizabeth
nodded grimly, and as she went down
stairs muttered to herself few words of
wisdom.
He's an awkward creature enough, still
Miss Helen might do worse" reflected the
old servant half aloud.
And in point of family and wealth there
was no doubt of this. Mrs. Campbell, of
Ardleigh Lodge, was not a highly born
S00tah hrt oha hoA Cd ix,Eo
ancient Scotch house, and brought her
wealth to fill the nearly empty Golfers Her
father had been a successful English iron
master, and had left her large fortune,
and in her girlhood. while staying with
some friends in the Highlands, she had met
the long-legged heir of the Campbells of
Ardleigh, who with Scottish prudence had
admired the young heiress, taking into con-
sideratiou that she had plenty of money for
them both, and that she preferred to be
called Campbell to jackson, had accepted
his advances, and had married Ardleigh, as
he was generally called from his territorial
possessions.
But she was dissatisfied with the old
house where many generations Of Camp
bells had been and died, and she pers AIDED
her husband to build Ardleigh Lodge, a fine
modern mansion, and thus Ardleigh House
was to be let, and Miss Drummond took it,
LII AiFC0 bhCtO htohJ yChAn bA0
Campbells seeking TO make her acquaint-
auce. But after the laird's death Johnny
Campbell rose in Importance at the Lodge,
and his wishes were almost law to his fond
mother Mrs. Campbell, now a stout I'M
wieldly woman, therefore at Johnny'S re-
quest called on Miss Drummond, and kind
of acquaintance, though not intimate one,
was carried ON between the two families.
Johnny, who was not yet 81, would, how
ever, call occasionally at Ardleigh House,
and sometimes left braces of grouse there,
and blackcocks, and other offerings for the
two ladies which, as Helen used jokingly to
remark, "were too good do refuse" But
whatever he meant to do in the future, the
young laird had yet spoken no word TO ex-
press his sentiments toward Helen. and his
mother, who was an easy-minded woman,
given to much self-indUlgence, did not inter-
fere in the matter.
"He might do worse" she would say,
alIuding to Helen DFummond to her COM
panion, Miss MacNiel, who was a cousin of
the late lsird's, and lived with his widow.
miss Drummonds father was an English
clergyman, aud the girls pretty, and Johnny
will have plenty for them both"
So Johnny's silent friendship was not in
terfered with, but it did not progress rap
idly. He came and went, and Miss Drum
mond was always civil to him, and though
delon OCCASIONALLY LudUS LUZ Oh uAllls uS OlU
not seem to mind.
And Miss Drummond having now entered
the drawing room as Eliza eth had deliv-
cred Helens message to her, after shaking
hands with Johnny, asked after his
mother.
'she's very bad" answered Johnny,
briefly.
''Tm sorry for that" said Miss Drum
mond, civilly, "what is the matter with
herP
"Pains all over" replied Johnny, in an
tone.
''That's very sad: l hope she'll soon be
welln
Johnny shook his head.
''sjhe never gets well, !" he said; ''she likes
being i'll, think"
tits very unkind of you to say that, Mr..
Campbell, )" said Helen, with little laugh,
upon which Johnny grinnsd namely, and
looked as if he thought he had said some
thing clever.
The conversation languished, and to
make things q little more cheerful Miss
Drummond asked Helen TO sing them
song.
81 heard you singing down stairs, Helen"
sue said, $50 will You sing song for Mr..
Campbell nowm
As he sent us such lovely black~game /
think / will. y answered Helen, rising with q
smile and looking at Johnny. who at once