The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-04

the whole family the boys made no en-
treaty for 'another ten minutes" when their
bedtime came, but kissed their father con-
STRANGELY and followed their mother up
stairs
whats the matter with papa, mammar'
asked Geotfiey, tue elder and mo observ-
ant. 40 isn't not bit like what he was
before he went away. When | asked him
to come and sse my wabiits he didn't move,
and h didn't answer. He isn't not so nice
as he was before he went away"
"S'h-sh you mustn't say that, Geof.
Poor papa has been very, very i'll indeed,
and he isn't quite we'll yet even. DOME you
see how pale be looks! Vine he is quito
we'll again he will be just the same as ever"
But though Blanche tried to believe this
herself her mind was harrassed by doubts
and fears. There was something wrong
about bin, something which troubled
him, something which he would not
confess to her. When the children we're In
bed she went down-stairs, resolved to try to
gain his confidence and share his grief.
whatever it might be.
He was sitting by the table. pouring over
the evening paper, when she re-entered the
dIning-room. His back was toward the
door, and he neither moved nor looked up
when sac came IN. With one yearning look
at him, full of doubt and fear, she decided
not to disturb him, and drew a chair t. the
opposite side of thu table. He started uD
with an exclamation as be first caught
sight of her; then with a curious, hang-dog
look, as il ashamed of himself, he bent his
head again over his paper. Blancbe's eyes
filled with Tears. Unable longer to restrain
herself she rose, put her arms round his
shoulders, and entreated him to tell her
what was troubling him.
81 can't bear to see you shutting your
self up against me like this. You are -ood-
ing over something. l ses il. Why don't
You tell me what it is? Why don't you trust
me to help you to bear it9 know could,
o, | know l could. Haven't we always
borne everything togetherf | was so glat
10 think that you were coming back that
my heart felt bursting with happiness
And now-and now-O, won't you tell me.
Won't you tell mes Perhaps l even guess
and yet"
Indeed the poor wife thought, as she
noticed Clitford's Rndering looks aad his
apparent ne v and startling indifference to
the children and herself, that his mind was
unhinged. This impression gained confir-
nation by his answer.
"l'm all right dear" he said. "At least
Pm nearly oil right. Don't worry your
self. think I'll go to bod now; I'm tired;
AID want to be up at 6 o'clock in the
morning. At 6. do you hears Shake me,
rouse me, make me get up at 6, mind I've
an appointment to keep before | 90 to the
odice And don't you worry yourself, dea
there's nothing to trouble about" he added
sgajn, kindly, as he left her and went up
stairs.
But his wife's face grew white with a
grave fear, which began to take definite
shape in her mind.
Next morning she reused him at 6 O'Clock.
said very little to him before he iarted and
preserved as cheerful dsneanor as she
could until he, without any furt err conf
dence, and without even the farewell peep
at his children in their beds, which he had
never before omitted and left the house.
At $50 o'clock Clifford Senple haEgard.
anxious, downcast as a convicted felon,
presented himself at the Office of MesSrs
LINK d Pogson, and hasten to seat
him elf at his Old desk with some WORK
which was given to him, after only the
hriefest of greetings to his fellow clerks.
He did not get on very we'll: he had 10
have something explained to him in conaec-
ton with his work, and he did not seem TO
profit much by the exclamation. The ether
clerks exchanged significant nois and
glances. However, he was left to himself
until 1889, at whlca time. puuctual TO the
minute, old Samuel Pogson arrived at the
Office.
lie frowned as soon as he caught sight OF
Clifford, who took no notice of MS entran e
being apparently too much absorbed in his
own work Go see or hear anything that was
going on around him. Mr.. Link was away.
and Samuel Pogson, who had bitterly re-
sented having to pay the salary of an eh-
sent CLERK, resolved to visit ClifrOrd'5 sin
upon him with severity now that his part
ner was not present to stay his hand
We'll, sir, aud SO you are back again, l
see" he began in al obviously dry tone.
Clifford, however took n notice He did
not even turn round, u Til IA fellow CLERK
managed, unseen, to kick bis foot. Then
the unto tInate young man jumped off his
stool, reddeaipg violently.
"Wonderful ABS rption" said M. Pog>
son slrcasticelly.
" am much ool ged to V u. sir, for your
kindness TO US duri K my Illuess," began
Clifford in n Low voice
Il am al to lear it. What are you
doing n0wEn
Clifford vas nervously watc' ia;; his e..-
ployer's lips. he did MT anSaer.
well, what - ara You - d ing-nowl
Can't you understand n plain question:
The CLERK who sa5 nearest to Clifford
movod uneasiy, bat he coGid not make up
his mil t. dare to interpose, being afraid
Of making nNtters wo 50 for bis unluckv
neighbor. Clifford made nervous move
ments With his hand, hu still he made no
reply A confidential attendant. nard-
faced man named Page, who accompanied
Mr.. PoxSOo wherever he went, felt called
upon, at this stage, TO venture a remon-
strance.
MIR. Pogson is not very well this morn
ing. Mr.. Sempe. Pray don't keep him
sta ding here" be said, in his low, cold, re.
spsc,ful voice.
But still Clifford appeared to take No
heed.
GO into my office. 1 wish to speak to
you privately, Mr.. Semple," said his en-
ployer
He had to repeat his words before Clf-
ford, seeming suddenly to awaken to COM
prehension, followed the direction of the
old mans eyes, and hastily ob ,yed. He
stool, with duh eyes and a bewildered man
ner, before the senior partner, who entered,
followed by the obsequious Page.
Il should like to have some explanation
of your extraordinary behavior this morn
ing, Mr.. Senple,h began old POISON, ma
jestically.
Clifford looked up at him, grew red and
white again. and then asked in low voice:
Gould / speak TO Mr.. Link moment,
SIR"
Not at present. certainly. Mr.. Link is
at Pontresina."
Clifford followed the motions of the old
mans lips attentively. Noting the shake Of
the head with which ths.4 words vera en-
companied. he hung his head and grew de-
lected again.
$50 your explanation, IL you have one,
must be given TO me" went on Samuel Pog.
SON, as he allowed his attendant TO take OF
the over coat, which, even in summer he
always wore ''Well, what have Won 10
sayF he asked. testify. as he still received
no RESPONSE. Then, raising his voice in in
dignation, he continued. In a high tone. 81