The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-26

yourself George hOcbeE
Georges Roche'S eyes hicked for q mo-
ment from feeling Of shame, and then he
answered boldly enough:
Il am George Roche. but naturally years
have changed US both"
Naturally" said Col Roche, drily. still
looking at the others face.
"But l suppose am not 50 changed that
you cannot remember me, at least remem-
Der you, though you have grown so much
stouter."
"StouterT repeated the colonel, sharply.
81 don't consider myself stout"
"Not for your sge, but I mean to what
you used TO be-.
"Humphw once more muttered the col
onel, and again he looked steadily at the face
before him. and as he did so the familiar
lineaments of the young. handsome man he
remembered seemed TO shine through the
mists and wear of years
And 50 you make out you were not
drowned when the ship you sailed in went
downp continued Col. Roche, sternly. "If
this be true think you had better have
kept your secret"
/ Roche. but when a fellows starving, or
something very like it, he's not so
squeamish about other peoples feelings
besides, / should not have intruded myself
on you except for my lads sake"
And he looked at Francis, whose eyes fell
as he spoke.
And why did you wish to see met" asked
Col. Boche.
ITO thank you for bringing up my boy,
for one thing-for another, to ask you to
establish his claims as heir to his mothers
| property"
Col. Roche was silent, but his face grew
very stern:
"No one knows better than you do" went
| on George Roche, that Francis is the son
of my wife. who was formerly Katherine
! Maiden, and who is now called Lady Ennis
| more.n
"And even if this were so, how can you
| have the assurance TO mention her name7n
| interrupted Col. Roche, sharply. you,
who forsook her in her trouble, aud allowed
| her for twenty-five years to suppose you
were deads No honorable man would bring
forward such claims"
az don't set up for an honorable man
| then" answered George Roche, sullenly.
| mo, you have no claim to that title pre-
fixed to your name" said Col. Roche
darkly, and George Roche's shallow face
flushed.
But all the same intend to bring for
ward my claims" he continued, yet more
sullenly. katherine is my wife, not
| Lord Ennismores, and Francis is her only
legitimate son, and you are perfectly ava re
of it."
But what if decline to acknowledge
! you as my brother; if l were to swear my
brother died twenty-five years ago, and
that you were some imposter assuming his
! name?"
| Would that be honorable Of you, when
| you know 1t is not true, and you boast 50
much about your honors Besides, RATHER
| inc herself has acknowledged me-"
| 'She might have done that simply under
| coercion, because she did not wish her early
connection with George Roche to be known,
and YOU told her you knew it."
'She wrote to ask me to meet her to-day
| anyhow down at Brackenford, and she
knows mean business"
But, sir" said Francis Roche, "should
not my uncle's opinion on this subject
have great weight with you and me also
| | think to bring forward thess claims
would be most cruel aud unjust to Lady
| Ennismore"
"You won't always think so, my boy"
| said George Roche, looking not without
| pride at Francis handsome young face;
land | don't want anything from this high
| and mighty uncle of yours. Any lawyer
would take up the case it's so clear, that he
would be sure of the costs out Of the prop
erty, and I've witnesses, too, even il this
great Col Roche won't speak a word.
| katherine and were married at ST. Peters
church in the city, and her maid Lorimsr
was present and signed the register, aud
can't deny it. It's no use going against
facts, and as told you before what ia Lord
| Ennismore to me9"
"But--if Lady Ennismore is really my
mother she is much TO me-" said Francis,
with an ingenious blush.
THAT may be, my boy, but far all that
she shall do you justice"
''Ib seems you are very determined" said
| Col. Roche with sheer. Suppose another
ugly bit of business was brought up n con-
nection with your name2"
That's enough" said George Roche rising
| angrily, enough and to sparel well,
| Francis, my boy, will you cast your lot with
your uncle or me9 For it seems very plain
he and | won't pull together
"My uncle has been very good TO me,
sir, answered Francis Roche.
$50 he has, and il he's willing to let by
cones be by-gones Pm willing too. How
ever, you too had best talk over the affairs
by yourselves. and if you, Francis, will look
me up in the evening any time I'll be blad-
or perhaps tomorrow morning will be bet
ter" and George Roche laughed.
81 think that will be the best plan" said
Col. Roche with some dignity, rising also
this is an affair which, in my opinion, re-
quires a considerable amount of considera.
ton before being entered on, and / shall be
glad to have an opportunity of talking it
quietly over with Frank"
IN bid you good-day then. Good-day
Francis. Look me up about 10 to-mor
row."
And with two mods, one to his brother
and one to his son, George Roche slouched
out of the room.
Col. Roche just waited until the door
closed behind him, aud then be turned &c
Francis. and shrugged his substantial
shoulders.
well, Frank. what do you think Of your
fatherE he asked.
but is he my father9" answered Francis
, quickly.
II fear there is no doubt Of it-yes,
knew the fellow again directly after | haC
, watched his face moment or two. He's
Tremendously changed, but he always had
that fckering look about the eyes-it's ar
awful business for Lady Ennismore."
: And she is really my nother" sale
Francis, and soft light stole into his eyes
How can [ injure her, then, Uncle Wal
a terF'
/ but you heard how determined the fell
low is, and he means what he calls business
and, of course, there are consideration
1 both ways, perhaps some compromise might
/ be affected"
: 81 do not wish naturally to injure Lady
| Eunismore."
q mo, that is only right feeling-well
n well must think it all over-in the mean
r sine what are going to do this afternoonp
8 Il have no particular engagement
IL Vw.fsl 49,,