The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-13
OF Tinsiey's
Magazine,

Called to himself by this pitiful appeal,
with one bound Leo was at her side
''Nell-n
But gesture of horror from Royal was
enough to make Mr.. Havilaud step before
him.
Sir Lawrence, will you allow this"
Almost groan burst from the unhappy
fathers lips
What could he do?
Scarcely knowing, indeed, what he did,
be put out his arm and drew Leo back, say
ing flercely:
Back! Dou't touch-don't speak to
her,"
Amazed-aShast-an yet convinced that
the bsronet could not but take the course he
seemed about to take, Leo fell back from
before Nellie.
But her hands went out further to assure
herself Of his presence. while she asked, in a
tone OF greater fear than before:
mot touch, not speak to me! Leo! My
husband that Is to be-to-morrowi Nay,
to-day; for it is long past midnight Father,
why do you come between u.s." Almost
snatohing herself away as he strove TO hold
and calm her. IA, tell me-tell me-what
is it?n
Don't ask, Nell. dare mott dare not
tell you,' groaned the sorelY driven man.
Then let me; do not fear"
1t was Leo who spoke, drawing himself
up once more, his face white and set, but
a sort of defiant trust in his eyes, which
made him look every inch true man and
worthy knight Of such sweet. fair lady as
little Nellie.
"Stand aside" he said to Mr. Haviland,
in a tone which completely awed that gel-
tleman into obedience, but by no means
added to his affection for him. "NSllls,
dear" he put hand on each Of her should
ers and looked across into her eyes as il
hers could meet his glance, "Nellie, you
love-you trust me, dear"
Love you-trust you Why will you
not be my husbands Who doubts mel"
Her faith was so strong that she did not
even dream but that the doubt was on her
side.
mo one-no one doubts you. Nellie-no
one is black-hearted enough to do that. 1t
is-I-of whom they say" he faltersd.
as if, set a. he was on making the trial, hls
heart shrank from casting even himself
shadow upon such faith
''Wbat do they say !" she asked wonder
ingly. mo Ill, surely" Then, as be made
no reply-he could not-She went on. swell,
let them. am blind | will be deaf too, to
anything but good OF you, for all the rest is
false"
And she lifted the hands she had let fall at
her sides, and clasped them at his breast, as
if she longed to lay her head there, but that
he would not let her.
Before he could make the reply which
rushed to his lips. Mr.. Haviland had again.
urged on by Royal, stepped forward, the
very ideal Of virtuous indignation. "Sir
Lawrence, once more, will you allow this to
go onf"
Nell. you don't know what you are say
ing Leo must clear himself, or he can
never be your husband" said the deformed
bar net, in hoarse, harsh tone.
Never be nay husband Leol All, father,
do you want to break my hearth she cried,
turning in she direction of his voice with a
look of wonder and pain on her face such as
cnt him to the very quick.
Nell let me finish, aud then hsar the
others, said Leo, with fierce look of anger
on his face, for be judged Sir Lawrence
hershly. There are more people in tbs
room than you know of-there is a woman
here who"
"A womann she said. turning frankly to
him; who is it? One Of my fathers
guestsw
mo" said Leo, catching in his sore trouble
at straw; lit is the girl who spoke to you
to-day in the garden"
Madge, it will bs remembered, had said,
and not altogether untruly that he owed to
| Nellie her interest in him, and he hoped that
that inCeres, might make his task now
easier for him.
| 1t seemed it would.
"Ah, she has come to see me-" said Nellie
| GdkSilf ~ 10 thNcs Ouh sue 10 III bIOupl6
wants me TO help her, as l promised her
Guide NE to her, Leo"
mo, Nell, she has not come to seek YOU"
no said quickly.
"No' Then why has she come" asked
the little bliad girl. wonderingly.
That is a secret you must trust to me, I"
be replied, his breath coming now in
, broken gasps, as much from the sense of
guilt in another respect. which made it
doubly painful for him to try and prove his
| ionocence in this ''She has been found in
| my room by people who do not love aud
trust me as you d ,, and who accuse me.
| But no. cannot, will not, shame you by
repeating The words of such foul accusa-
| tlop.h
III regret to say, at least, have no
such scruples," said Royal. speaking In a
grave, almost sorrowful to e, such as hid
from the little blind girl his malicious in
tent, for, while fearing to compromise mis-
own prospects, he felt the moment 10 be one
Of great. indeed. vital Importance to the
success Of his scheme, Sir Lawrence and
| Mr.. Haviland each standing silent, from a
| lack OF knowledge what course to take.
Miss duntinRford, regret most extremely
that am concerned ia this matter. bat as
| your fathers friend, how can | hold back
| from you what must prove to you that
| Leonard Forester is unworthy to be your
husbands You say this woman told you
| Der story, or part OF IL. is 60e or not I'M
worthy to be trusted. much less believed
| gulltlessm
He was afraid he had not spoken quite
strongly enough in his fear for his own
safety, but the look which crept into the
blind girls face at once convinced him be
! just said enough to rouse her.
He smiled 10 himself one of his fiendish
smiles, watch fortunately neither Leo nor
! Sir Lawreace saw. but Madge, who hal
stood liste log with eyes OF eager hope that
Leo's plan would be ccomplisled by him
self without her aid, saw and dropped her
head in Der hands.
But despite that action, which so mutely
appealed for pity, Royal had no mercy.
Leo saw IL too but Roya. did not scruple
to awe his risi anger by throwing aside
as before the mask he habitually wore.
Choose between this and the whole
TRUTH" be said, or rather Kissed between his
| teeth. Aud remember who sleeps above "
His gesture recalled to Leo the fact of his
fathers presence in the house, and COM
peted the subiugatlon of his already waver-
ing doubts as TO his choice OF the two evils.
Half invoiuntarily he drew back from the
listle blind girl
Nellie felt the movement, and, standing
| alone, put out her hands to try and dra W
him to her. new fear creeping into her
face.
" Why does he ask me such questions, Leo
Why is he-why is that girl herel Alb tell