The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-17
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tenderly remonstrant and even little fiery.
This was agreeable. and not lightly to be
ended. lie grew more ardent still, and
frig hteued her deliciousiy with his kisses,
prot estatiOns and embraces, until at last she
gave him an answer. They would be mar
rled that day three months. and on that de-
hghtful understanding he conducted her to
her own garden gate. babe her a lover-like
goodnight there, and swung off home
ward TO meet the intruder Of an hour and a
half before.
His mother, q quiet gray-haired old
woman, sat knitting in the parlOr by the
lighI Of a pair of tall candles.
live done it at last, mother" he said, as
he stopped TO kiss her.
What hast done, ladF the old lady
aeked. smiling mildly up at him.
II doubt" the young fellow answered,
laughingly, that you'n want bit Of prac-
tice, ut you'll have TO stand up for one
dance at least this day three months"
"Ohom said the old lady. you've spoke
TO Ellice"
Yes. mother the young man responded,
"rve spoken TO Ellice, and we're to be mar
ried this day three months"
The mother rose and kissed him, and cried
over him a little as tender mothers will
sometimes in such a case.
who'd ha' thought Of little Ella Green
away and you CROWN up TO be man and
wife togetherl Well, we'll, she's a pretty
CELL, George, and good CELL, and think
she'll make you happy. And, il you're as
good husband as you've been a son to me,
she's got priEs in ten thousand. You've
got your mothers blessin', George, my
This affectionate colloquy was broken in
upon by knocking at the front door.
There's Jack Hetheridge," said George.
II met him in Barstoe Lane a while ago,
and he said he wanted word with me. He's
come for it now, guess"
TITS private business, Georgep his mother
asked.
Yes, said George. 'I suppose it's pri-
vate business He seems TO be in a bit Of
hurry for it, too. What are the maids
aboutm
The knocking at the front door was re-
newed more loudly than before, and George
himself answered the summons.
There's nobody hard OF hearing in this
house, Jack, =" he said, as he opened the door.
Come in. Wen have our talk in my own
room, II you don't mind. We can be pri-
vate there"
He led the way through the pitch dark
hall, with the assured foot Of custom. The
visitor followed him gropingly for a yard or
two, and then coming into collision with
some unseen piece Of furniture cursed
quietly to himself aud waited.
BY and by George appeared In a doorway
with candle, and beckoned TO the self-in-
vited guest
Now. jack" he asked, when they were
seated together, with the light between
them. whats the word about?"
They were strongly and even strangely
contrasted pair to look at. There was
scarcely difference of month In their
ages. but Hetheridge might easily have
been taken for Georges senior by half
score OF years. His features were thin and
puckered. his forehead was prematurely
bald, his thin lips ruled hard straight line,
which dipped suddenly at the corners, and
his pale gray eyes were restless and angry
looking as they wandered hither and
thither in their stiffness, as If their owner
were seeking something TO revenge a spite
upon. His hair, his eyebrows, and his little
bits of side whiskers we're all of the same
uo-color, but unusually crisp and wiry A
mere rime of closely shaven beard sparkled
in the candle-light upon his cheeks and chin.
He had a nervous knack OF lengthening the
jaw and scraping with thumb aud hnger
over this close trimmed stuoble in suc1 q
way as to elicit a faintly Audble sound
In stature he was slight, but inclined TO be
tall.
The man who faced him, waiting for the
opening Of the conversation, was a we'll
built deep-chested fellow with a fresh, I'M
wrinkled face, kindly aspect, and large
blueish gray eyes that looked as open and
honest as the day.
NOW, Jack, :" he asked second time, as
Hetheridge sat scraping furtively at his
lean jaw and sending his vexed glance
everywhere but in the direction Of his COM
panlon. "Now, Jack, what is itTn
Hetheridge seemed at first IN no hurry to
answer, but suddenly he banged the walk
ing stick he carried on the unclothed table
aud leaning forward looked his rival for the
first time in the face
YOU'RE in my way, George Redwood"
he began, with a directness for which an
observer would have been unlikely to give
him credit
"Oh, said George. with tranquil lifting
Of the eyebrows, perhaps you will tell me
howp
"Your father was in my fathers way"
said Hetheridge. dropping his glance and
clutching his stout walking stick in both
hands as though he strove TO break it.
"YOur father was in my fathers way, and
you're in mine"
Now look here, Jack" returned Red
wood, Pm sick of that ridiculous old story.
II you've come here to talk about that you
might as well save your breath to cool your
porridgen
Your father" said Hetheridge, robbed
my father Of three hundred and fifty acres
lying between the brook aud Brissoe Lane.
The world knows that. You know it as
well as do"
Yes" George answered, "iust as we'll as
| you do. It's foolish lie, and there's an
end OF it. Your father wasn't a careful
man-mine was. One wasted money, and
the other made it. Your father drank and
racketed his lands away, and my father
bought EN- with honest money made in
| honest business. Go where you like, ask
anybody who knows the story, aud they'll
| tell you the same thing"
"Your father robbed my father per-
| sisted Hetheridge. suddenly.
81 shouldn't be aggrieved," Redwood an
swered with a cool content, "at anything
you might say, even if supposed that you
| believed it. Nobody but a born fool could
believe that yarn of yours in face of the
evidence, ami you're not born fool, Jack
! Hetheridge.n
"Your father robbed my father Heth
eridge said again, land you've robbed me- >
"Is that Sol" Redwood asked in the same
tone Of cool contempt, NOW will you be sc
good as tell me how~
You know how, well enough" Heth
ridge returned. He set his stick across hi:
knee and tugged at it with all his force.
"Well. no." drawled George, with an ir,
riting unconcern. 81 can't precisely say
do. Perhaps you'll be good enough to ex
plain the matter
Who" began Hetheridge.
he stopped, choking at the word.
"Well," demanded Redwood. Who
Who whatF"
who came in between me and Elict
Greenaway" Hetheridge flashed at him
| lifting his wrathful eyAa suddanlv and plar