The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-14

that the girl was free. an eager snatch at
her swaying form, as between the shock OF
her release and the wonder whether it was
rescue or a new danger she felt a new faint
ness coming over her was all her rescueri
work. 1t was Leonard Ferret-a rescuer
indeed, this time. An exclamation OF sur
prise crossed his lips, and his hold upon the
slight figure became as strong as Royals
while the look of anger on his face changed
to one of loving anxiety.
'sNelll little Nelll" burst from him, and,
as the golden head dropped on to his breast,
he pressed upon the parted lips an earnest
passionate kiss.
The girl did not shrink from 1t. Nay,
she returned it ever so slightly. She made
no effort to free herself from the new hold,
but chung with more than confidence to tht
young man, dropping her head closer upon
his breast.
His kiss certainly acted as double restor
alive, for she after ward recalled quit
clearly the strange deep feelings in bel
heart which il called up-feelings which
furnished a key to many which had gone
before, till now inexplicable to her
There was a silence between the two. though
why they did not know, unless that KISS mad
told 70 each heart a secret, which made all
else forgotten. Leonard was the hrst 10 re-
cover himself.
1.-THE villain has not harmed your he
asked.
"No. no." replied the girl, but not lifting
her head as II the resting place was very
dear, and she was loath 60 quit 1t.
But the rescuer said, in hasty confused
way. which revealed his agitation, but be
-.,,,k ,os aacana ha ahall nav dearly for his
yillaInyln and he drew back with motion
which all but freed her. She frightened her
hold convulsively, as II scarce knowing
what abe did.
"No. no, don't leave mel All don't leave
me, came to find you, feel safe with you,
don't leave me ever sgainp
Only for an instant did she forget herself.
Then it was as If she had had sight to read
his look Of longing, which changed 20 one
of wild fear, or understood the meaning OF
the sudden Tightening Of tie hold upon her,
to be loosened the next moment, 80 that,
but for the hold, she must have fallen away
from him, for her pale cheeks flushed once
again with a sudden glow, this time of NO
shame, but sweetest maiden modesty, while
sne unlocked her arms and drew herself
away lingeringly, and yet with dignity.
Forgive melr she said In a low tone,
s'you have saved me, and am forgetting
all else.n His heart must indeed have been
of stone il 1t had refused pardon so sweetly
Craved and for such an offense.
He struggled manfully against the I'm
pulse which urged him to make captive the
little pleader again. He tried to 20, to rush
away from her to the other end OF the
world, now that he knew what she was 20
him, but in vain.
In these few moments Of their torgetful-
ness Royal had not beon slow to make his
escape
After all a kiss, even to spite the Rat,
was not worth & street row and what it
might entail. Neither would 10 be any use
to face the reScuer, whom Royal AZ once
recognized, though he did not see the greet
ing which passed between him and the girl
Had be done so 1t might have influenced
his conduct in the whole matter, and con-
siderably altered the plans which he made
later. But he was not to triumph entirely
81 his evil ways.
In the instant Of his recovery from the
young fellows blow, he saw plainly that
the best course was for him to get out of the
way as quickly as possible To hail the han
som the driver Of which had dashed up a.
the blind girls cry-several people In th'
distance too hurryinR forward-to promis'
him a sovereign to drive at once to thu
other side Of the town, to jump in and b.
whirled of was the work Of an instant.
Thus was there nothing for young Ferre
but to accept the little blind girls apologies
and thanks, and to 60 on his way, leaving
her once more alone and unprotected in tn
big city, the object now Of open wonder ant
comment, perhaps new insult from pas
sers-by.
The lad felt it was impossible. He coulc
not do it One glance at the face beneath
the veil Of falling golden hair, now grow
SO pale and wan, the slight form with tn
gray cloak for its only protection, and al
the battle against caution was In vain.
''It is fate which has brought us togethe
once again for the third time. l oanno
leave her in danger"
And clasping the little white, 10y hand il
his own burning one, he led the child all IN
resisting away from the broad thorough
fare to the shelter of a narrow passage
which led by private door into Hunting
ford house.
Here they were sheltered a little from
the weather and free from observation.
Within. the father still Toasted and mad
merry; without, the child he loved an
would have died to have saved, receiveC
protection in her trouble from a stranger
And yet they were not strangers, as evel
passing observer must have seen.
Those few short weeks had wrought ter
rible change in both. The events of q sin
gle night had set upon them the same terri
Bile seal which would never be quite etfaced
The lad owned to no name. Yet there wa
no need TOT disguise OF the Identity or Leon
ard Ferret When he had first set foot il
London, he had been as fair young En-
glish lad as could have been found anywhere
Now, il was as if boyhood had fallen away
and the mans birthright brought only sad
ness and shame.
The slight, but well-made figure, had los
all its suppleness. The same clothes which
before had shown it off to such advantage
hung loosely on it now. The step, whfcl
before had been light and springy was nov
slow and dragging. The head of bonn,
brown curls, before held SO erect, telling o
gentle pride and desire to look the Who'll
world in the face, dropped now. Wors
sign Of all, the winsome face with its ros,
features, frank eyes, aud gladstone smiles
seemed to have had an icy hand passed ove
it. making 1t worn and pale, the mouth
drawn into lines Of pain, the eyes full o
great dusky shadows-the whole beaut,
marred by a look Of suffering, which wa
terrible to see in one so young.
1t was as If the man had had all manli
ness taken out of him, as II the boyish sou
which had promised so well was sinkin,
and dying within by inches, beneath tn
oppression Of a burden greater than it couI,
bear.
And this was Ralph Royals work. Hi
hand had laid upon that soul the burden
which was IN truth his own
IL the Rat was more than a man TO dar
to take upon himself the hideously distorte,
semblance Of the hunchback, was not HI
more than a dend who could dare to crinni
a human soul into the foul likeness 90 J.;