The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-20
CHAPTER VIII.
WEDDING BELLS.

but nothing of consequences to this history
occurred until but short time before that
hxed for the ceremony.
Royal was late IN making bis appearance
downstairs, as was also Mr.. Haviland, who,
agreeable to Sir Lawreuce's wish. had de
eided to make no comment upon the episode
of the night before.
Royal had mis- own reasons for not wish
ing to brag of the affair; indeed. began the
day in any but the best of tempers, for
things certainly seemed little likely to meet
his wishes in any way.
He, however, returned to his old solace
that married or single, Leo would still be
his scapegoAt, and determined to make him.
self as prominent as possible during the
ceremony and breakfast in order to put hin
(the bridegroom at least some what out Of
countenance
In this intention, however, he was in the
beginning summarily defeated, for the frs
time he caught sight OF Leo he was In tins
garden with Mr.. Ferret leaning on his arm
From the library, where he had break
tasted alone, Leo had seen the old man
wander aimlessly down the lawn, the hun
CRY look on his face Of the night before, re-
placed by one even yet more pitiful TO see
q despalring, hopeless expression which
reused in the unknown, or at least denied
son, great longing TO try and give him
some sort Of comfort.
Moved by an uncomfortable impulse, Leo
crushed down his own feelings, and, follow
ing the dropping figure down the winding
walks, had oVertakeu IL lust by the lake.
He hardly remembered what be said or
did, only that shrinking almost from him
at first as one might from the all but
living image of one who is dead at length
MIR. Ferret listened gratefully to his really
heartfelt expressions Of sympathy, bis con-
strained manner and evident suffering
yielding at last almost entirely beneath the
young mans manly efforts, to calm If not
cheerful resignation.
Bitter indeed as had been the task Leo
felt the reward was worth the pain, and ne
felt, too, that in the approaching ceremony.
the sense of guilt which he feared 80 much
must weigh less heavily upon him, because
be had tried 30 hard, even in this instance,
30 atone.
His step, as he paced up and down the
lawn, was lighter than 1t had been for many
day, for his fathers arm was in his, and
the clear brown eyes lifted from time 70
time. though hungry still, seemed to find
pleasure in his happiness, at least did not
finch In pain.
Yes" said the old man, as they neared
the house, "the Likeness is indeed extrao--
binary. OF course, have never seen my
son since he has become msn,-for l can
not yet even bring myself to speak Of him
as one who belongs only TO the past-Rnd
though l have often tried to picture him, 1t
seems to me as if no portrait could have
made him more like you"
Il can but regret the fact, which would
otherwise have given me not a little pleas
ure," said Leo marveling almost at his own
power OF Discrimination, TO be able TO speak
so calmly when 1t had always seemed to him
that in his fathers presence, both as father
and detective, his guilt must surely betray
him.
He put this calmness, however, down 20 |
his lack Of knowledge OF the sacredness of |
the ties which bound him to the former,
never dreaming that 1t was because had the |
latter one been exerted, he would have |
stood up free man, free from his horrible |
burden, free from all sense Of guilt.
II fear l was, and am still, selfish in my |
sorrow" replied Mr.. Ferret, marking every |
line OF the features he seemed TO know SO |
well, and thinking how glad would have |
been bis heart If they had belonged to his |
boy. and 1t had been in his power to have |
called up such look OF happiness as for the |
moment blinded his keen eyes to the shadow |
which Leo usually betrayed in his face. II |
am almost forgetting what day this is and |
Keeping you chatting when you should be !
getting ready TO go to church to claim your |
sweet little bride And yet do not think |
you would Rrudge me these few moments il
you knew how your kindly sympathy has |
cheered and encouraged me. Last night | !
scarcely closed my eyes, for because YOU
were not he, it seemed to me nv boy must
indeed be dead, and now you stand before |
me, and l marvel more than ever at the |
likeness, my heart is hardly heavy at all. |
Tor something seems to tell me | need not !
give up hope, that Leo-my Leo and will |
DC together one day, as you and | are now" |
calf aN h.
hght on his face, the earnestness Of his ut
terance, which impaired TO it almost the |
glamor OF IN spiration, something In Leo's |
heart seemed TO ory out, Eyes, yes, it will
be So"
Only that once. and then all of a sudden.
the knowledge of his guilt seemed to crush |
GOWN upon his heart and silence it. make
tue Soho of the words of hope but a savage
mockery.
Thus, when Mr.. Ferret added after a
moment, We'll, must not keep YOU
longer, so good.hy, my lad. good-by,
and when | do find my bow. NAV
ne be as like you as you are like
nlm." Leo replied, earnestly, "Ah, no sir,
not like me. Far, far more deserving OF
your love than l ann
ne turned away then toward the house.
tor IL was getting late--already the bells in
the little church just down the end of the
zane nad commenced their merry peal, call
ing all TO come and unite in asking Gods
Dressing on two loving hearts to be made
one-then turned again.
"a, Mr.. Ferret, he said, almost for
tne moment letting the dearer one slip out.
Ay, my lad" replied the old man, re-
facing his steps readily enough.
VIII you do me favorP' faltered Leo,
In very different tone to his late joyous
one.
Ay, my lad, if it's ia my power, for my
ooys saEe-for your own What is itl'
have told you my father is dead" said
Ieo, laltering more and more, and almost
wishing he had not yielded to the impulse
Wnich made him ask the favor; and have
$50 friends save Sir Lawrence-no relations
mere to-day. Win you stand close at my
ssqe at the church-will you pray for me as
II were your SON."
Az, lad, right willingly. There was no
need TO ask
ANA with another clasp of the hand. the
rather and son parted-the latter ALMOST
isarlul In his JOY that at least he should
nave fathers blessing, although unknown
to that father
e NoYal watched this parting with his usual
aenulsu delight, knowing well il wal his
sih winch had divided the two; as be roamed
llnnlessly about the house, every moment
SrisKinR the hour of the ceremony nearer.
mind A'"u'9 VI