The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-24

] AACo al utlClllAallhhLy iOllJ, RpOu Oi1
fellow, said George, "a delightful old fell
low Perhaps that may have something to
do with it,"
Something, perhaps, but tEat is not nv
reason. Can't you guess9 My reason for
liking mons. Dom is that he likes you"
And my reason for liking him." said
/ George, Tor one Of my reasons, is that he
likes you. Do you know. Ellice. the old boy
is quite fond of youp
II know that" the girl said, rather
gravely. But do you know. l find him a
little strange. You mustn't think it q fancy
OF mine, for I've seen it over and over
again, and even watched for it. He looks at
me in the most curious way, as if he were
sorry for me somehow. and in his manner l
notice the same thiDg-a sort of plying ten
| derness, as if he were afraid to hurt me.
have often thought that perhaps | am like
somebody he cared for. Is that too roman
! tic! Mons. Dom is an old bachelor, but
he'6 too tender hearted not to have cared
for somebody, and l may remind him of
! her.
i've noticed the same thing" said
| George. 81 wonder if you're right. But l
can't fancy old Dom iu love"
He wasn't always old Dom, j" the girl
! protested. He was young Don once. We
shall be ourselves some day, and dare say
young people will wonder if we ever had
| romance. 1t Is romantic to be engaged
George. isn't itN
Not at all romantic" George declared.
| 1t was delightful, satisfactory in the most
! eminent degree, but, thank heaven, matter
| of fact. They had laughing wranRle over
this theme, and finally George depar ted,
| having taken leave a score of times, or
! thereabouts as if he were starting on an
immediate journey in search of the north
pole.
Dom was at home and waiting when the
| young fellow arrived. The old French mans
russell pippin face was prodigiously wrinkled
| by this time, and bis huge mustache and
| betting eyebrows, were snow white. His
brown eyes sparkled still with all the fire
and vivacity of youth, and his gestures
| were as vivid and superabundant as ever.
my young friend, he Dried, seizing his
visitor by both hands. "Yo GU come in time
to rescue me from the profoundest abyss Of
despair. The fIet de sole Guc chdmpiq-
nous, is mine, the work Of these hands that
| now clasp your arm. had feared its ruin
Had you been five minutes later it would
have been a total wreck. Sit down. Let us
be hurry with the soup That is my
housekeeper's Esndiwork and has no touch
of genius in it."
Mons. Dom had prepared an excellent re-
past, and was a rare indge of wine as an
old and expert Uigneron like himself surely
had right to be.
This is not so bad" he said, laying a
| CdTbSSlIlR nhuu on q DltCh DObJle winch pore
| signs Of age upon it, but there is some
thing better for after dinner. You shall
taste the best claret of your lifetime.
! tell you that, Andre Dom-ana you may
| reply upon my verdict"
II am ready for it,, George avowed, land
| | will drink a health IN it which shall be
worthy Of the finest vintage sun ever
rlpened."
co." cried Mons. Dom, twinkling and
| hoo ,IT,er ha ruhfk
sparkling glass of the little table. "The
cat jumps so! That ia, how the land lies.
| Aha, Master Redwood, we are Of an age for
these enthusiasm! Not9 And who is la
BELIEF" He began to sing and snap his fin
gers. LA belle, la belle, jeune, Jraiche,
! fdeEem
"rIl tell you what it is" said George,
| gayly. "You seem to know a lot more
about this sort Of thing than is altogether
| bettting in person Of your years"
'Ah!n said Dom, with sudden sentiment,
| 81 was not always a gentleman of my
years. remember, my young friend, re-
| member
Come now said George. "What do
you remember
81 remember, " returned Mons. Dom, ito
have been told that there is no fool like an
old fool. My age shall not be sentimental
for the exhilaration of your youth. But L
have been gay dog in my time, my young
friend, and that is, perhaps, why am some-
times a sad dog now"
When the meal was over, the housekeeper
cleared the table, and the two sat down to
taste that special vintage Of which the host
| had spoken.
Mons. Dom himself uncorked the Dob
| webbed bottle with exaggerated care,
handling it as tenderly in its wicker cradle
as If it had been an infant. The cork came
out with a satisfying "kloop," aud the old
| with mods nd yur, ka Of
prevail, examined it, and handed 1t over for
| his companions inspection.
| THAT cork" he said, triumphantly, "has
enjoyed this delicious imprisonment for
| twenty years. Now you shall taste wine.
l grew this grape myself for my old patron
the Marquis Lerour. The wine was made
I under my own eye. L know it. You shall
| say it is worthy Of your toast
He polished the wine glasses with table
! napkin, wiped the neck of the bottle with
extreme care, and then poured out the
| precious vintage.
II RISE" said Redwood, ito do honor
| alike to the toast and the wine."
The two stood facing each other, each
! glass in hand and each smiling.
| Dom shook his head wagSiShly, and his
! smile wes full of q harmless and friendly
! mockery.
The lad blushed. but met his companions
| eye with courage.
| Come said Dom, reveal the name.
| Why should drink the lady's health In ig-
| norance!n
'Shall IH asked George, bIushing still
! more pronouncedly.
"You SHALL" said Dom, 'if you will.
! Come, why not? EhP'
| well, cried George, the blush deepening
into scarlet, with the consciousness that he
was growing sheepish under the laughing
raillery of the old mans gaze. Here goes.
l drink to the health of my plighted wife. u
| mo" cried Dom. ecstatically. as that
! truel Give me your hand, my dear young
George. My admirable young friend, con-
| graduate you"
Each transferred his glass to the left
hand, and they clasped hands across the
| table.
81 will drink to this toast" said Dom,
with all my heart. Who is the ladyg'
Miss Ellce Hetheridge," said George.
and to his profound amazement, the glass
dropped from Dom's hand to the floor,
where it shivered into fragments.
The old man lurched forward aud
| clutched the table The precious bottle fell
| and crashed unheeded.
mo, no, )" said Dom, so strangely agitated
that the words escaped him only in a
hoarse whisper. at is too impossible, too
| horrible"
| ITO BE CONTINUED.