The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-31
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CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE OLDEST SON.

Katherine Maiden was painful fact, not to
be got over by any efforts of lawyers or
law. The very curate who had married
them was still alive. and was now the vicar
Of the parish where the Inflated union had
taken place. Lorimer's Mrs. Twiss) sigma
ture was attached as a witness TO the cere-
mony, and the poor woman, with many
tears, could not deny this.
Mr.. Tommy Twiss fell into a respondent
state OF mind when he heard that Lady
Ennismore had confessed the truth, and
feared and rightly that the money he had
received for keeping the secret would be
withdrawn; but he at one applied TO Francis
Roche regarding its continuance, who,
however, did not encourage his preten-
sions.
Mr.. Beale saw George Roche and also
Col. Roche and Francis, and wrote to Lady
Ennismore to tell her he had dons so, and
that be had been very much pleased with the
young man.
His great anxiety as regards this unhap-
py business seems to be for you" wrote the
lawyer, land he spoke of you with the
greatest consideration and respect. He ex-
expressed wish also to see you, and said he
had received great kindness from you and
Lord Ennismore when he believed himself
to be a stranger TO you. Altogether think
you have every reason to believe that this
young man will do everything in his power
to make painful position as little trying as
possible.
The lawyers letter naturally agitated
Lady Ennismore very deeply, and strange
yearning crept subtly into her desolate
heart to look once more on the face of her
first-born. He was her child. she remem-
bered; the little wailIng babe she had left
among strangers, and after awhile she
wrote to Francis Roche, and asked him to
come to her.
When Francis received this letter we may
be sure he carried it at once to Helen Drum
mond, who now knew all the strange his
tory of her young lovers birth and parent
age.
20, what will she say, FrankF' cried the
girl. after she had read the sorrowful words,
''when she hears-about mel"
Anything she says on that subject you
know won't affect me, Helen" answered
Francis Roche, taking her hand.
"Oh, but it will be so different now-her
eldest son-your position will be so differ
ent-you must not think Of me, Francis"
'Who else will think of, then, you stupid,
darling girll Don't talk nonsense, Helen;
will do everything else my mother wishes,
for pity her so deeply, but not for twenty
mothers would give up you"
"You are very generous. Frank" said
Helen, softly; "but always feel"
"HeIen. Lady Ennismore parted us once,
but she shall never part us again remember
] have your promise"
YES" and she put her hand into his,
and looked in his face with her bright, clear
eyes.
They we're very fond of each other, these
two, and Helen knew very well it would al
most break her heart if she were again
parted from Francis Roche. But the change
in his position was very great, and she felt
that Lady Ennismore would be still greatly
adverse to the very idea Of their marriage.
She took up the letter again and reread
the words in which Lady Ennismore had
summoned her eldest son to her side; the sad
words in which she ackno wledged him as her
heir, and told him that his future home
should be at Brackenford.
my son, the unhappy woman had writ
ten, "for you know now the strange bond
that is between us, will you come to me for
little while, so that we may learn to know
each other better, and make certain ar
rangements for my other poor children. At
my death, and feel have not long to live,
you will inherit the property here, and the
bulk of the large fortune which was first
settled by my father on my brother Nor
man and his children, and in the event of
his dying childless, on me and my eldest
son.
"He did die childless, as you know. and
you are my eldest son, but you will not for
get, | feel sure, the claims of the little
brother whose life has been wrecked by nv
terrible mistake. believed your father TO
be dead whenI married my dear, dear hus-
band, and this child was Lord Eanisnore's
darling and pride. We cannot make up 10
him what he has lost, but money can be set
tied on him and on his sisters, and wish to
See you about this.
II mean TO leave this house Soon for
have suffered in it more than | can bear. so
perhaps you will come down here some>
times when ! am gone and hook after tho
welfare e the property that soon will be-
yours. VIII YOU write to me and tell me
when shah see you; and will you forgive
all the wroag chat was done to you in your
childhood by your
UNHAPPY MOTHER"
Helen sighed as she again read Lady En-
uisnOEcS lcbS6i, anu lOOh6Q WlSLI0lIy
enough in Francis Roche's face, who was
watching her.
And when will you e., FRANKIE she
said
II thought of telegraphing that would
go Tomorrow; the sooner IL is arranged
about that poor little fellows fortune the
better. tnink; don't you. Heleur'
st is a great change for him.
'Tremcndousl Did / ever tell you.
Helen, how half envied him the frst tim
] saw himl Yes, think / did, but it's
lucky be is not old enough to realize it all.
and OF course his future shall always be nv
first care"
81 am you will be good to him ,
Frank
sand your father, what does he gay to all
thisP'
Frank shrugged his shoulders.
"He was very much elated at first, but
you know he is an extraordinary old boy.
Helen, and not father one can feel very
proud Of. In fact, my dear, fear your
father-in-law will be rather trial to you. -
Helen smiled sweetly.
80, we shall get on very well, dare
say" she said. 81 will like him-for Frank
sake"
And Frank shrugged his shoulders
II try 70 get up little duty Affection"
be said with a laugh, "but it's O very hard
pun, can tell you. But you should see the
colonel with him. Helen. Uncle Walter
eraf -. a.. A.