The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-13

been They pardon the offender, and laugh
at his victim, al, Hugh, she continued, as
her voice softened. at was but sorry
| lest. 10 make fool of girl VINO knew no
| more OF the world than | did; you might
have had some little mercy. God help me,
lover and father both gone" and at the
thought she could not repress a sob. Tears,
you fool" she continued, "whar have you
to do with tears from hencefo-th! II is
time this farce was finished, and as she
spoke she tossed the whole packet OF letters,
including the two from Hugh unopened,
into the fire.
Polly Tarreut listened with open eyes to
her young mistress rhapsody, but when sue
saw those two letters cast unopened into
the flames, she was literally Petuhet with
amazement. She knew the Handwriting Of
those two letters only too we'll. Last year,
if there was a probability Of anything ar
irving in that hand Mss Lynien had often
forestalled herself in a swering the post
mans knock. She had seen those letters
eagerly clutCbed. she had seen them read
and re-read and now, as Polly expressed 1t
she's a treating them Ike trade clrcu-
lars"
''Pollyr' said Miss Lynden, turning al
most fercely round upon her aHd speaking
in lew, hurried tones, II dhressy you've
heatd me laughed at; l daresay you've
heard all sorts of horrid things about me
aud my poor father"
INDEED. mss" interposed Polly, 81
haven't hsa-d word against you, except
from the landlord, who was always growl-
ing at the poo doctor about that half years
rent
Don't interrupt me- continued Miss
Lynden, I'm going to write you down my
lawyers address. You must go UP to the old
house every now and tuen, and any letters
that may come for me or my poor father
YOU will take to him. And through him
you can write to me yourself occasionally,
but remember that you are to deny all
knowledge Of me TO every one. Let no one
know of any way in which u letter can
reach me. IS For months aud years and she
glanced at her dress. This will be my eX-
cuse for cl Sc retirement. | want to forget
-ah! | have so much to forget. Never
speak to NE Of the Crimea again. Let that
terrible year be as il it had never been; let
no one know that you have seen me. And
now | must say good-by. You promise
faithfully to do all have asked :" and Polly,
who was genuinely attached TO her young
mistress, and by this time dissolved in tears,
although she did not understand about
what, willingly faltered forth the required
pledge.
"Once more, good-by," raid Miss Lynden.
Il had no chance Of giving you wedding
present before, SO you must take this and
buy yourself something new; :" and as she
spoke Miss Lynden slipped bank-note into
Polly's hand pressed it, and was gone.
Polly sat down and enjoyed the luxury of
a good cry with her cup of tea; and have
feminine authority for saying that there is
much enjoyment in good howl"
What she was crying about Polly was
not very clear, but | have also a suspicion
that that is by no means necessary for its
appreciation. Her old master
was dead, and her young mistress was in
trouble, and it was very kind of Miss Nellie
TO give her five pounds as a wedding pres
emit, aud then Polly's thoughts wandered off
rs 10 what she should do with it. l have
an idea that she did not consult her hus-
band on this point. having already learned
that the knowledge of any such windfall
was best kept to herself.
She did not know quite what had hap
Dened, but one thing was clear, Miss Nellie
never wished to hear of the Crimea or of
Capt Fleming again. She wondered what
lad gone wrong between them. but of one
hing she was resolved, and that was to ad-
lere firmly to the promise she had given.
Only two days had ELAPSED; Polly as usual
was sitting at the window once more i'm
nersed in her sewing, when the sharp
,runch of mans boot on the gravel
caused her TO raise her heod.
Another moment and an impatient tap on
he door betokened another visitor. She
opened it, and found herself face TO face
With Mai. Byng. She recognized him al
once and knew what erraud he had come
Upon.
1t was all very we'll for Miss Nellie tx
nave done with the Crimea, but the Crimes
hadn't done with Miss Nellie.
She curtseyed, put forward chair, ant
asked Byng to sit down.
"Well, Mrs. Tarrant, how are youP
said Tom. "You recognize me, Of
csurse."
''Oh, yes, Maj. Byng, and am very glaC
to see you back safe again, after all yor
have gone through"
THANK you; yes, we had some rouglsf
times out there. But you've got married
since | last saw you. l congratulate you
and as an old friend you must accept gift
from me upon the OCCASION and Tom at
tempted to force liberal douceur into
her palm, but Polly hastily stepped back
pace or two, and putting her hands behlnC
her said
II thank you very much, sir, but can
not take your money"
"Why should you refuse a wedding pres
ent from meF asked Tom, in no little as
constituent
"No matter. sir. have my reasons; thanl
you very kindly, all the same"
"Of course. you must do as you like, bc
it's rather a slight upon an old friend. " saiC
Tom, smiling; more especially one VIII,
has me all the way from London to Sc
vou.n
ooh, no, you've not, SIR" said Mrs. Tar
rant, looking decidedly obstinate. and a
Tom said afterNard, most confoundedl,
knowing to boot"
There. you're wrong, for l have com
from London TO see you. 1 have come to asl
you a question"
Mrs. Tarrant made no attempt to bel
him out. but waited quite demurely till /
pleased him to speak.
present"
81 don't know, SIR replied Polly, some
what equivocally.
But you know her address," said Tom
sharply.
81 don't admit 90, and if did,
wouldn't tell you"
"She knows it perfectly thought Tom
himself.
when did you see her last" he inquired
with what he deemed much forensic ability
but the result rather startled him, for Mrs
Tarrant suddenly drew herself up defantly
and replied:
Look here, Maj. Byng, Pm not in tn
witness box, and haven't married polio
constable without having learned that VIVA
gay may be used against me. Where
Miss Lynden now7 / don't know. What
her address, l don't know. Whom did
see her lastl I don't know. But | hav
every reason to believe" concluded Polly
with indignant partis2nshIp, THAT size de
sires to have see the last Of you, and all @
you, and maybe it would have been bet
ter if she had never seen the first Of YOU
either"
And now Tom committed a fatal error