The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-28

OF the prayer the prehCueI lnaue IerNlQ
exhortation, beseaohing the 'unsaved sim
ners" to come to the mourners' bench, and
he gave out a hymn to be sung In the mean
while.
The men with their dogs ware sitting on
one side Of the CHURCH, the women with
their babies on the other. Lucian soon found
Clarissa.
BY some fatality she was sitting in the
full glare Of pine knot, her mother on one
side Of her, woman unknown 20 him with
q baby in her arms on the other. Old Mrs.
Cokee had a tin box in her hand, the I'M
known female another, and all three were
dipping snuff.
Lucian felt as though some one had
slapped him in the face. he had often seen
Mrs. Coffee with a stick brush in her mouth,
but he had failed to comprehend its signid-
canoe. Now he understood. And Clarlssa,
too The hardest part TO bear was the
manifest enjoyment she was receiving from
har indulgence. Evidently bis presence had
deSarred her from pastime she found the
greatest pleasure in.
But the preachers exhortation had been
warmly responded TO. The "mourners'
bench" was full aud the congregation was
getting very happy. The woman next
Clarissa dropped her baby in Mrs. Coffee's
lap and began series OF explanatory sem
fences, the only distinguishable part of
Godp "Prsise his holy namem her voice
growing shriller with each ejaculation.
Then she began TO clap her hands, to cry
and laugh alternately, getting out into the
aisle and shaking hands with every one she
could reach, and when her excitement
reached its high water mark leaping in the
air and screaming.
This excited Mrs. Coffee, who in turn
dropped the baby in Clarisss's lap and COM
meuced the same performance aud almost
before Lucian could catch his breath Clar-
ssa dropped the baby in another woman's
lap and began her own shouting"
Lucian watched her few seconds. Then
he passed his hand across his eyes, as though
in physical pain and turned from the door.
He went out and sat down on a log and took
off his hat to cool his head. He felt dazed.
About the clearest sensation he was con-
scious OF was a vague pity for the poor
baby, who was being passed around Ike re-
freshments. He wondered who had it then.
When the Coffses reached home that night
Luciau Hsrtredge had gone to bed and was
apparently asleep.
The next morning, directly after break
fast, be said good-by and departed. He
kissed Clarissa In rather perfunctory man
ner aud spoke of coming back soon, but
there was a coustraint, and she regarded
him with vague trouble iq her beautiful
eyes He turned away hastily, mounted
his horse and rode down the mountain, an
intense relief coming over him as the cool
morning air blew 10 his face, and he felt
that he was leaving his perplexity and
modification behind him, temporarily at
least
For days and weeks this feeling haunted
him. But finally the revolution set in. The
recollection of that last night faded gradu
ally. He began to think Of Clarissa only
as the beautiful girl he loved aud who bad
promised to be his wife.
He was in his office looking over his books
when sudd an resolution came over him.
His income was immense-it was increas-
ing every day-aud a solution of the diff
Guilty presented itself to MIN like door
opening silently before prisoner in q cell.
He would arrange his affairs TO leave home
for an indehAits period. Then be would
marry Clarlssa, take her to Europe, employ
the best masters for her and keep her there
till he could present her to his friends with
out Notifying either her or himself. With
inward excitement be went over the details.
Yes, 1t vast should be--practicable. He
felt like giving a shout of relief
"A di9patcn, sir"
1t was his office boy Re took the tele-
gram and opened it leisureIY. To business
mon one of these yellow envelopes more or
less was a matter Of small Consequence. But
what was this be was reading:
Clarissa dangerously i'll. Come immediate d.
By order Of JOSHUA COFFEE.
Like a man In a dream he set off i'm
mediately for the mountains. He could not
realize what had happened, tina blow had
descended so suddenly He felt certain
that he would reach Clarissa and find II all
q mistake.
1t was twilight when he finally refined bis
horse in front Of the cabin. Jake came out
soon, almost as though he had been watch
ing for the arrival, his eyes red and swollen,
the dirt on his face furrowed like he had
been crying.
How Is shep' Mr.. Hartredge asked, his
heart sinking at this sign of grief in the
boy.
"Powful bad of, Jake answered, taking
charge of the horse. The doctor lows
maybe she'll pull thu the knight, an maybe
she won't"
"My Godl I4dt so bad as thatl What is
the matterF'
Hits fever. Mos ev'rybody on this
hyar mounting's he'd it, am considerable NV
ems died. Crrissy, she's a-askin' fur ye
mos ev'ry minute"
Lucian entered quietly. Clarissa was
lying with her eyes closed, her face pale TO
grayness; she seemed scarcely part of
this life. The doctor was holding one wrist,
her mother held the other hand, while her
father and older brothers were seated near
the foot of the bed, their faces bowed on
their hands.
They looked ap as he approached. His
eyes questioned the doctor mutely.
"Shs Is sinking fast" was the reply, "but
is perfectly conscious.
Clarissa opened her eyes. .fe
"Lucian," she murmured feebly, and held
her hand to him. He went to her and took
her In his arms. Her head fell back on his
breast and her eyes closed again. He
began to fear that she was already dead
But no.
"You-uns mustn't fret about me, she
murmured almost inaudiblY. He had to
bend his head to catch the broken whisper.
I'VE uns haint your kind O. folks, an Pm
feared | never could ha' parnt to be. We
uns never could ha' bin happy. I've knowed
itfum the fust, but haiti never had the
heart TO say IT. Hits heap the best this
hyar way. But oh. loved ye so loved
We sol", and, with unnatural strength, she
turned and threw her arms around his
neck and kissed him twice.
But even with her lips against his they
stifened, her arms relaxed their hold her
head fell back on his shoulder
be lald her down gently. She was dead
ELIZABETH MCALLIsrBR LEYDBN.