The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-07
LALL RIGHTS RESERVED.l

Johnny, what is the matteri said his
easy going mother, looking up from her
newspaper. HAS something gone down
the wrong way, my dearP"
Still Johnny made no answer; he gasped
twice. and his mothers maternal anxiety
was aroused.
Margaret MacNeil," she said, addressing
her companion, get uD and slap Johnny's
/ back, don't you see a crumb is halt-choklng
him."
Upon this Miss MacNeil, a tall, gaunt
| Scotchwoman, arose and administered a re-
sounding application of her bony hand on
| Johnny's shoulders.
TITS not a crumb," gasped Johnny in a
stifled voice, 'it's--Helen."
Helen Drummondr cried Mrs. Camp
i bell, dropping her newspaper; they've
found her thenl Oh, Johnny, was it in the
river or the seag'
Neither, " answered Johnny in a broken
voice; but it's as bad for me-"
where was it, then, my dear9" asked
Mrs Campbell, rousing herself and crossing
the room to where Johnny was sitting.
Don't look like that, my dear boy" she
continued. putting her stout arm affection
ately round his neck. shes dead, and you
can't bring her back, however much you
fret after her, johnny
But she isn't dead" said Johnny with
quivering lips; ''shes going to be married
to some other fellow-and it's all up with
me-"
married" repeated Mrs. Campbell indig-
nantly; ''then all / say Is she's a bad girl,
putting you to such expense and worry, in.
deed, and she gallavanting on with some
other young man all the time; she ought to
be ashamed of herself, Johnny"
But this aroused Johnny's chivalrous
heart.
Don't talk like that mother, Of Helen"
ha cha 49, -. IL t- A.-A
girl that ever lived. But you can read her
letter and let me have it again. Come along,
Ben"
He rose as he spoke and went out of the
room, and the collie followed him TO his
own bedroom, and when Johnny got there
he locked the door first and then fairly
broke down.
20, Ben, Benz" he cried with sob,
we've lost her-you and mel"
The intelligent creature looked up in his
face, and laid his handsome head against
his knees, for he quite understood poor
Johnny was in great trouble.
ut was easier to bear to think she was
dead" murmered Johnny to his sympathiz-
ing listener; land yet that's selfish, Ben.
Yes. we mustn't think Of ourselves-but of
her."
way Of consolation.
Poor old boy" said the kindly young
laird, stroking Ben's head; you are TO go
back TO her, Ben; only Pm left in the cold.
Well, never mind"
He was thinking if she were happy, what
happened to him did not matter much.
There was something almost pathetic in this
faithful dog-llse attachment; but presently
he tried to rouse himself
II mustn't vex the old woman" he
thought. Mrs. Campbells heavy football was
now heard ascending the stairs for she had
become uneasy about her son, and a moment
later she raped at the door, which Johnny
rose end opened.
Don't vex yourself, my dear, she said,
as. she entered the room; "pve read her
letter, and ii there was anything about her
family that was not respectable, well,
Johnny, it's quite as well that you had
nothing TO do with her."
Her family made no matter to me, )" an
swered Johnny sturdily. "but don't talk of
1t, motber-it upset me bit at first, that
was all"
"You could have many pretty girls,
johnny went on Mrs. Campbell consol-
ingly. "Theres Minnie Cairns, now, and
she's $1,000 of her own / am told; not that
you want money with your wife,"
u don't want wife, mother, nor Minnie
Cairns, either, for that matter. I'm con-
tent 20 stay with you"
Upon this tears filed Mrs. Campbells
round eyes.
God bless you, my dear" she murmured,
and bent down her face and kissed him.
"She's had a great loss" she said she'll
live to know what she's lost in you; but
don't fret"
I'm not going to, mother. There, go
away. now, like dear old woman"
So this was the end of Johnny's love ef-
fair with Helen Drummond, which he was
quite honest enough to say aud think had
all been on his side.
He even wrote her a letter in well-ex-
pressed terms, for Johnny was more fluent
with his pen than his tongue, in which he
wished her all happiness, and made no
illusion to bis own unfortunate attachment
He told her that her dogs were quite well,
and had been great companions to him, and
that he would bring them to her whenever
she wished. And Helen was glad 70 get this
letter, aud when she showed 1t to Francis
Roche, he declared the young laird was a
very decent fellow afeer ALL
by this time Helen's wedding day ives
fixed, and her old servant, Elizabeth May,
knew also that her young mistress was once
more well and happy.
1t wanted. indeed, but one week to the
marriage when all their pleasant plans were
upset, and Francis Roche was called away
by g summons he could not resist