The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-07


account. He finds Hetherdge. who disputes
the matter with him. but ultimately agrees that
HetheTdge who IS IN "A good position. is better
able 10 see to the child's welfare that be himself
is. N-xt day he returns To Betheridges house in
company with Mons Dom, an acquaintance,
hut Hctheritge again declines to part with the
child, and orders Potter of the premises.
CHAPTER V.-CONTIEUED.
Mr.. Potter strolled around the house ana
examined it at leisure, with no result in the
slightest degree satisfactory 10 himself.
Whether Hetberidge's threat had been ca
tirely empty. or v neither the authorities had
refused or neglected TO accede 20 his de-
mands, matters little, but Sans wanderings
that morning and daily thereafter for many
weeks were undisturbed. He drew upon
the bank somewhat extensively for rai-
ment, and wondering in a gayly striped
shirt. birdseye neckerchief. brand new wide
awake and fancy cummerbund, cut so dash
ing and sprghtly figure that in the course
Of time he even enlisted the fancy Of the
naughty nuI semaid. In the course of many
rowing years, Mr.. Potter had had but limited
opportunities for the study of humanity s
fairer half, but he developed q decided bent
in that direction in these days OF leisure,
and before a month was over the naughty
nurse maid was at his feet Sam carried
the child over hundreds Of miles oil told,
and the maid, relieved of the burden of her
charge, strolled along beside him, content to
admire his manly ways and prop rtious, and
perforce content to sec lavished upon the
infant the major part OF Sans caresses
and endearments. If Hetberidge knew i'll
L. L
sign, and Mr.. Potter. who was, like most
men Of his class. very easy going in his no.
tions of the future, looked upon the exist
ing condition of things as likely to lie per
manent.
This fancy received rude shock one
morning about the end of April, when his
Matilda suddenly appeared in tears, without
the baby, at their usual TRUSTING place.
Brief inquiries drew forth the story II
was complicated with sobs and tears and
broken in upon by many narrative alarums
and excursions, but its gist was simply
this: The child was sent away to England by
the mail boat which sailed that afternoon.
She was in charge of an English Clergyman
and his wife, who, after some years expe-
rience of he colony, we're returning home
Matilda had ljstened--she confessed tat
the keyhole, and was familiar with the de-
tails of the arrangement The clergyman
was to receive the sum Of gl00 year for the
chlld's maintenance and education until it
should please Hetherldge to reclaim her.
The name under which she had been sur
rendered was that of Ellice Hetheridge
the first years payment in advance had
been made that morning. and the party had
already started for the vessel Matilda
gathered from what she had overheard
that the arrangement now finally concluded
had been pending and In discussion for a
month.
"But say, look here, 'TiIda," said the
astonished Sam, this wont wash at all Pm
not goin' to have Bob Martins little gell
struggled away like this"
1t seemed TO him outrageous, a sin
against reason to believe in its bare posi-
bility.
1.-The child's yours, if she's anybody's.
Sam" Matilda sobbed. land, oh, to think
we've had her miles and miles away together
such many times. and might have run
away with her almost at any minute.
do believe that there Hetheridge has known
about it all along, and has just been laugh
ing at u.s."
That, on reflection, seemed to be not im-
probable, but it afforded no present aid or
solace.
Sam inquired particularly the name of
the vessel, but could learn only that it was
the English mail.
That. however. was ample for bis guild
ance, and having comforted the weeping
Matilda with a kiss or two, and made q
new rendezvous with her, he set off full tilt
upon his enterprise. He had no difficulty
in making out the vessel be was in search Of.
She was moored in midstream, with a
swarm Of boats about her conveying passen-
gers or bringing friends who had said their
last 'good-bys" on shore again. Sam hailed
boat and was soon aboard the mailship.
There, almost the first man who met his in
" dna yIA rr,A
deck engaged in converse with q tall, meek
man in clerical attire. Sam, without mo
ment's pause, made for the pair.
Look here, matey," he began, with g
sudden, vigorous hand on Hetheridge's
shoulder, you're tryin' to do what you ve
got no rights to do"
Hetheridge looked him up and down with
a cool and wicked smile
II thought might see you here, " be said
land now, my man, / have to warn you
If you make moments disturbance here
shall give you in charge. Officer, this way
moment
A policeman. hitherto unseen, stepped for.
ward.
This is the man I told you Of" said
Hetheridge "If he offers me any an,
noyance you know your duty"
Look here, mate" Sam began, address.
ing the policeman, that chap has stole
"You mustn't make disturbance here
broke in the official, with true ofjcia,
phleRm.
81 tell you," cried Sam, half beside him
self with grief and pain. hes got nc
more rights to what he's doing than you
have"
Come. come" said the policeman, ''lesi
noise"
Here came what Hetheridge had hoped
for, and indeed had counted on Mr. Potter
fell back upon the vernacular of the camp
and used 1t noisily. He characterized
Hetberidge and his conduct in such Language
that the parson lifted hands of Dious horror
and withdrew from toe scene. He roareC
so Justify that crowd was round about hin
IN an instant Hetheriige took good care K
be outside it, aud almost IN as little time as
1t takes to toll, the hapless Sam was hand