The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-21
VENUS ANNODOMINI.

From Rudydrd Kiplin0's plain Tales from
the HfHs."
She had nothing to do with Number
Eighteen in the Braccio Nuovo of the Vati-
can, between Visconti's Ceres and the God
Of the Nile She was purely an Indian
deity-an Anglo-Indian deity, that is 70
say-aud we called her the Venus Ammo
domini. to distinguish her from the other
Annodominis Of the same everlasting order
There was a legend among the hills that she
had once been young, but no living man
was prepared to come forward and say
boldly that the legend was true.
Among the worshipers at the Venus An
uodomini, was young Gayerson. Every
Young Gayerson he was called to distln-
guish him from his father, Young" Gay
erson, Bengal civilian, who affected the
customs, as he had the heart OF youth.
Very Young GGyerson was not content
to worship plainly and for FORMS sake, as
the other young men did, or to accept a ride
or a dance or a talk from the Venus Ammo
domini ia q properly humble and thankful
spirit. He was eLaoting, and, therefore,
the Venus Annodomini repressed him
Very Young" Gayerson's papa held a
division or a collectorate or something adj
ministrative in a particularly unpleasant
part Of Bengal-full Of Babus who edited
newspapers providing that Young" Gayer-
son was "Nero" and a "Soyllan and
"Chary bdis;" and, and, in addition to the
Babus. there was COED deal OF dysentery
and cholera abroad for nine months of the
year.
This particular season he fanoied that he
would come up 70 Simia and see his boy.
The boy was not altogether pleased. He
told the Venus Aunodomini that his father
was coming up and she flushed little and
said that she would be delighted to make
his acquaiptance.
my daughter is coming out in a fort
night, MIR. Gayerson," she said.
"Your whatP said he.
daughter" said the Venus Annodomini.
'She's been out for year at home already,
and l want her to see little of India. She
is 10, and a very sensible, nice girl | be-
lieve" Very Young" Gayerson's papa
came up twelve days later, and had not
been in Simla twenty-four hours before two
men, old acquaintancos Of his, had told him
how Every Young" Gayerson had been con-
Quoting himself.
Young" Gayerson laughed great deal
and inquired who the Venus AnnodomIni
might be. Then he said "boys will be
boys" and spoke to his son about the matter.
every Young" Gayerson said that no felt
wretched and unhappy; and young"
Gayerson said that he repented of having
helped to bring a fool into the world. lie
suggested that hIs son had better cut his
leave short and 90 down to his duties This
led TO an unfilial answer and relations were
strained. until young" Gayerson demanded
that they SD ould call on the Venus Ammo
domini. VERY Young" Gayerson went
with bis papa, feeling, somehow, uncomfor-
table and small.
The Venus Annodomini received them
gractously, and Young" Gayerson said:
'By Jove! It's Kitty" Very Youngn
Gayerson would have listened for an ex-
PLANTATION IL his time had not been taken up
with trying to talk 90 large, handsome,
quiet, well dressed girl-introduced TO him
by the Venus Annodominl as her daughter.
she was far older in manners, style and re-
pose than Very Young" Gayerson. and as
he realized this thing he felt sick.
Presently heard the Venus Annodomini
saying: do you know that your son is one
Of my most devoted admirersp
81 don't wonder" said Young" Gayer-
son. Here he raised his voice: He fol
lows his fathers footsteps. Didn't [ wor-
ship the ground you trod on, ever so long
ago, Kitty-and you haven't changed since
then. How strange it all seemsP'
Every Young" Gayerson said nothing.
His conversation with the daughter of the
Venus Annodomini was through the rest OF
the call. fragmentary and dt'iOinted.
"At 5 tomorrow, then )" said the Venus
Annodomini. And mind you are
punctual."
lat five punctually," said Young Gay
erson. you can lend your old father
horse, dare say. youngster; can'r youl Pm
going for a ride Tomorrow afternoon"
Certainly" said Every Young" Gayer-
SOD. ~ am going down Tomorrow morn
ing. My ponies are at you service, SIR"
The Venus Anuodomini looked at him
across the hslf-light Of the room. and her
big gray eyes filled with moisture. She rose
and shook hands with him.
''Good-by. Tom" whispered the Venus
Annodomini.
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