The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-16
CHAPTER III.
LOVERS AND HUSBANDS.


efforts to preserve her dignity, as the bride
y the morrow.
Once within tie shelter of the arbor, how
ever, she seemed TO forget all such notions
at any rate. resigned herself willingly
enough to her lovers embrace, which
threatened no little damage 20 the lovely
nosegay of white flowers which she now
carried in lieu of the many colored ones
which Leo had greedily dispatched to his
own room.
Il think these will do" she said, touching
the posy with her fingers lightly, and then
burying her face in them, so that when she
lifted it to Leo's a moment later her feat
ures gave forth the scent as IL they had been
the snowy blossoms themselves nodded into
even daintier shape. ut has boon q very
uce time" she said, as she did so with an
air of great content, although Roberts he
Rardeuer) tried to Toe cross he couldn't sue
coed, could hel No one ever can with me.
That is one little blessing for being blind.
So as fast as Roberts hid the best flowers |
found them. He did not think | could tell
them so easily by their scent Tell me,
Leo. are they not all very beautiful! Roses
lilies, gardenias tuberoses." And to prove
her art with happy smile she held up in
0hCU Ol btl6 lhAl bWbSb DiObSOIIlh. w
SO love flowers, Leo, she SAID, once more
burying her face daintily in them, as she
leaned her head against her lovers sh oulder.
81 think love them best OF anything in the
whole world, because | can tell them ike
this for myself just as if l could see, and be-
cause it was the flowers you gave me made
me first think you cared, perhaps q little
for me-"
Leo's answer was a kiss upon the flower
face, and whispered, my darling, my
little white rose, my sweet fair lily
which was silly lJver-iike speech, but one
which proved how completely he had recov-
cred from his late somber mood
IAN, how nice it is to be happy" said the
little white rose with deep sigh Of cons
tent, Ito have you and father and all these
beautiful things. What would not some of
those DOR girls in London that saw selling
flowers did see them, Leo. the day
came, before my eyes were gone-what
would thew not give for even these flowers Z
Leo suddenly speaking with gentle ear
neotness, II am going-l am going to have
as many flowers near me tomorrow as DOS
sible, because Of all the gay, grand dolngs
they are the only part | can really share;
but when die, If many people send me
flowers them (,he spoke in the belief which
seemed natural to ore of her sweet natuie
that some at least would .oye her enough
10 do this last sad pleasure by herr, dom.
pile them Over me IN my coffin and shut
them in or let them be put into my grave
to.wither aud die, and DO crushed. Tne
people will mean 1t kindly l shall know
that, but shall have my eyes and see the
other flowers that grow IN heaven. 80 for
my sake find sone poor lit le girl as help
less, fTlendless-perhapsb blind as l was
and give her the flowers to comfort her as
they did me- or else to buy her food aud
safety as they might have done me il had
had them, ana shall sleep as souudly as il
they were my bed.n
Nell, Nell, don't talk so of DEATH" said
Leo, look OF fear aud reverence mingling
In bis face.
ut is Il fearful thing to die, to see even
any one lie dead" she said. In a different
tone to that she had used before.
Nellie, be silent, as you love me-" cried
Leo, violently agitated, never guessing how
by his fear he was closing up against him a
clew TO the terrible mystery OF his nfe's
burden toe breaking, perhaps, OF her oath
by the girl in her desire TO be truly one at
heart with her lover. Then seeing heJ
wondering, half-frightened look ne added
more calmly, Forgive me, did not in
tend to frighten you, but it makes me al
most afraid when tomorrow is so near"
''Ah, if anything should come between US
now / should die. But why should we fear
tomorrow Is SO near" replied Nellie; then
In a lighter tone, ~ o-morrow, to-mOI row
ia my wedding day"
And mi e." said Leo. falling into hel
moud eadily enough. you seem TO for
get that ! have share in all these roya
festivities"
Tho bridegroom is no oue,n replied thu
bride, dlsda.nfully, mot even the hes
man.
Don't sneer, my lady, or cut Of reveng,
/ may persist IA marrying one of the brides
maids by mis- axe | hear they are all very
pretty, especially the lord mayors daugh.
ter returned Leo, mahcousy.
If you are counting upon her )" said Mel
lie, laughing, 'yuu reckon witAouG your
host; for at t. last moment Miss Gardell,
has remembered that three times brides.
maid never bride, aud has declined the
honor. But tfs rest will be quite enough tc
put the bride In the shade, for she will,
fear, LOOK but faded, insignificant little
thing at the BEST
Certainly" said Leo, hardly, "but
rather than you should not have the full
complement of maids # honor would have
waited"
81 did not intend to let you" said Nellie.
but as it is there is no need. Miss He.her-
ington will take the ace-which is, after
all, no bad exchauge-fOr of all the people
IN this world that | want to see-that is. OF
course, TO know'-with sad little smile
such as went to her lovers heart-"it is
Miss Hetherington's uncle who is coming
with her"
Don't make me jealous, or won't prom
Use you that this rival shall live till t.
morrow" Interrupted Leo in tone Of great
fierceuess'
"Jealous-you. And of an old mau like
he ls--old enough indeed to be my rather,
aud, besides, Que of the--nay, the cleveres.
aud most famous detective in London.
am sure il had ever been guilty of even
the tlnlesT little crime, should give up all
hope OF being a bride tomorrow, and run
away and hide myself, now he is coming u
lesslY.
Mr. Ferret" replied Nellie.
Ferret. Andrew Ferret Is it he you
mean" asked Leo, starting violently.
Yes, of course; there is only one Mr..
Ferret, and thought everybody knew
him.
Mr.. Ferret coming here My faith
Good heavensm
Leo only stayed, remembering that he
must, at least not betray himself to Nellie.
why, Leo, what ails you? You brighten
me. Are you illp
by great effort Leo controlled himself
enough 10 reply quickly.
LUIS nothing, Nell nothing -
Leo tnere must be something o. womb
you tell me-" begged the girl, evidently no,
Leo was too confused to be able 20 think
what to say, and might have ended bv com.
promising his secret, but that FORUM
htely ~ at that moment be caught sight ol
figure at the end of the walk. lust wbere
cd