The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-12
CHAPTER XIII.
ADARK TEMPTATION.

"What do you sayl" she asked hoarsely.
"Simply that l know now you did no
speak the truth" answered Roche, "anC
though it did not much matter for bat
tered fellow like me to claim my full rights
it does matter very much to our son-anc
Francis Roche is our son, and the legal he'll
DO your fortune, you know full well"
For moment or two Lady Ennismort
made no answer. She stood there facing
Roche, aud there was great despair in her
eyes; great anguish quivering on her lips.
"Well. isn't this true nowp asked Roche
after a short silence. "Is it fair that your
eldest son, born in wedlock, should be a
pennies lieutenant in an infantry regi'
ment, and your second son, the child of q
man to whom you are not really married,
be brought up to inherit all your large
fortune2 You must yourself See the in
justice Of it.
Still Lady Ennismore did not speak.
'FYou see 1 know all about it," went on
Roche, land I've thought it all over, aud
I'm about determined that our lad shall
have his full rights. What is Lord Ennis
more and his brats to mel Simply nothing
and, moreover, they wouldn't care if l was
hanged tomorrow, so why should l care
for their fine feelingsp
s'Who told you all thisq asked Lady En-
nismore with sudden passion. "But l need
not ask.
Roche shrugged his shoulders.
'No fool ike an old fool you know, he
said. "Lorimer, it seems, was led away by
the cajolements of that little sneak she is
married to, and confided to him the story of
our marriage and my supposed death, on the
occasion when imagine some twinges OF
conscience induced you to send for our lad,
and secretly give him as gift some little
portion Of the wealth he was born to inherit.
Yes, it was Mr.. Tommy Twiss who informed
me that our son was living, though he did
not know was the happy father"
And Roche laughed his harsh laugh.
"You have no proofs-none, nonew cried
Lady Ennismore passionately.
Eyes, my dear, have" scoffed Roche
"Your face this moment is proof of the
truth Of my words If | needed one; but
don't Francis Roche is your son, born in
Paris, and brought up by my valiant
brother, Col Roche, and its no good you de-
nying it."
"How dare you say this TO met How dare
you speak to me thusl" answered Lady En-
nismore yet more excitedly. "Youn
Rocheis bloodshot eyes fell before the in
tense scorn and indignation expressed in
Lady Ennismore's face as she uttered these
words.
That's all very fne." no began in a
grumblng tone, and then he paused, for a
mans voice, evidently quite near to them,
suddenly rang through the air.
katie! Katieln and as Lady Ennismore
heard her name and knew who spoke it, she
started violently.
'Go,n she said, in tone of suppressed
emotion; "that is my husband, l will see
you again, but for Gods sake go nown
"Au right answered Roche; but don't
forget what have said. Make an appoint
ment with me somewhere and I'll keep it.
Now Pm Off"
He turned as he spoke, and went down
the walk in his slouching gait, but not be-
fore Lord Epnismore had seen him.
Who was that man, Katiel" he asked, as
he went up 10 the trembling, ashen-faced
woman standing before him. And what
on earth has he been saying to youl Why,
my dear, has he frightened your
YES" gasDed Lady Ennismore, catching
hold of her husbands arm for support;
"he-he was someone who-knew my poo
pie long ago-and he has been abroad, and
and he startled me-"
She could scarcely articulate these words
which sue forced from her pallid lips, and
Lord Ennismore put his arm round her, for
he saw sue was almost unable to stand
You silly girl, why should he brighten
your he said kindly. why, Katie, it's
well came out to seek you, but what right
had the fellow here in the private grounds?
He was begging l suppose"
"He knew the place when he was young,
and-he came up to me SO suddenly, and he
me" faltered Lady Ennismore, while Lord
Ennismore kept his eyes fixed anxiously on
her changing face.
"You are growing nervous, I'm afraid,
Katie. But if the fellow wants anything he
should not go sneaking about the grounds,
but come to the house openly. Was it
someone you once knewW
II knew him when-I was girl an
swered the unhappy woman in husky ac-
cents. Take me to the house, Ennismore,n
she went on, leaning more heavily still upon
his arm; 'the sight Of him has brought the
past all back to me-about Norman"
1t had flashed across her brain that mo-
ment in her agony that it was best to allow
her husband to suppose it was something
connected with her brothers tragic death
that had caused the overwhelming emotion
in which he had found her. And Lord En-
nismore's kindly and trustful nature at once
accepted this explanation.
Don't think of it, dear, any more" he
said. IF the man knew your poor brother,
and wants money, let him come to me, and
and you know I'll be ready to help him
But won't have him hanging about here
and upsetting you. What is his name,
Katie?'
II think-Johnson." answered Lady En-
nismore's quivering lips.
"Johnsonl Well. I'll make note of it /:
but don't you worry, dear Come, Katie,
UGLl6
lad, and that will put you all right What
a splendid young chappie he is to be sure.
Cox was just saying while ago he never
saw boy of his age stick to the saddle as
he does. Some day, please God, he'll have
a splendid seat"
A moan of anguish almost escaped Lady
Ennismore's pale lips as she listened to these
words; and while Lord Ennismore went
prattling on in his CHEEKY way of his bows
PROJECTIONS, she was thinking only of the
terrible change that might come SO soon tc
the child.
And as together they entered the hall OF
the house the object of both their thoughts
the beautiful boy they loved so well, with
his round fair cheeks flushed, and his blue
eyes sparkling, came running toward them
Father, mother! how jolly It's I've me
you" he cried Selling hold of his father!
hand; ZOOS" l want to tell you somethink-
to ask you somethink."
What is it, my boy7" asked Lord Ennis
more, laying his other hand on the child
fair head.
''Pll tell you. I was in the stables and
groom was tying stone round poor littl
puppy's neck to drown i'm, and L said h.
hadn't to drown i'm, and the fellow laughed
and didn't mind bit what said till Co!
came. And Cox said the young maste
was 60 have shis way; but didn't trus
EN-" explained Pat eagerly, $50 l carried
the puppy away with me, and nurse Is in ,
&C. 80. Il -