The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-15
: oW FIRST PUBLISHED
CHAPTER XXv.-CoNTINUED.

with great vigor to bale out and mop up an
old punt which was moored In the boae
house. All being in readiness. the trio en-
barked. and Redwood and Sir Eustace be-
cuiled the carp, whilst Sam smoked his pipe
in tranquil enjoyment, and lent hsno
when be could be of service.
George was not sorry to have escaped the
threatening conference with his mother IL
could hardly be less than painful to them
both and though he knew that he had only
secured postponemens the weight was OF
his shoulders for the moment, aud with the
happy elasticity of youth, he felt his spirits
rising, and determined vaguely that every"
thing would go we'll ate all.
Sir Eustace had the first stroke OF luck,
and found himself engaged with monster,
who, after affording excellent play was
brought in workmanlike fashion to the side
OF the punt, where Sam was IN readiness ior
him with the landing net. Almost at that
instant, Gerge felt tug at his own line,
and forgot everything but the excitement
of the sport. The fish lay like log and
sulked.
Feel this, Sir Eustace," he cried. IL 1T
xreren't for an occasional tremble in the line
YOU might think was anchored fast to the
bottom"
SIR Fustace took the rod aud surrendered
it lingeringly and unwillingly.
You're in luck. " he said, half envlously,
s'You'ye got a real whacker there. Handle
him delicately, he'll begin to stir in
while"
The fish endured much gentle persuasion
before he could be reused from his first attl-
tude of sulky protest. Rut by and by he
began to make fight for it.
Hes making for that weed bed" cried
Sir Eustacs, who watched every move Win
excited interest. keep him from tnat or
you've lost him"
The line was as taut as a harp string, and
the rod was bent nearly double. The fish
hung like an immovable dead weight and
all on a sudden with tearing sound the
rod gave way at the second joint from the
top, and the angler stumbling backward
would have toppled into the water Dut Tor
Sans intervention.
The fish amazed at the sudden relaxation
of the strain made dash toward the punt
and the rod was secured, and considerable
portion of the loose line drawn In and made
fast. II parted like bit Of tow moment
later and George sat ruefully down to la
ment his lost opportunity and to anathem-
atize the rodmaker.
There's piece of rubbish for you," he
said in a dolefuI voice, 'split from top to
bottom. Beautifully balanced il was, too.
/ shall never get a rod to suit me better"
1.-The virtue of rod" said Sir Eustace,
with easy wisdom, sis to hold whatever you
get on it."
II can make that good, Master George"
said Sam. AT least 1 think l can. I've
got some odd pieces down at home, and
think there's one of them that fits this. I'm
almost sure this is
''Just run up to the hall and get another
rod, there's good fellow, said Sir Eustace,
in his good autocratic way, and
Sam obediently made off.
This episode of the broken rod led to seri-
GUS and unlooked-for results. When the
days sport was over Sam took the sound
pieces home, and found that, as he believed,
spare joint of his own fitted the place of
the broken one to perfection, and in the
dusk Of the evening he walked up to Mrs.
Redwood's house, and presented himself at
the hall door. There was still little linger-
ing light without, but within doors all was
dark. Sam rang, and for a while received
no answer, but by and by George Redwood
himself responded to his summons.
Hello, Potter old man, is that your he
Dried from the darkness of the hall. my
mothers out, and the girls have gone off
gossiping into the town. I've been sitting
thinking and keeping blind mans holiday
Come in. I'll get light in a minute"
Sam CROPPED his way into the hall, and as
he did so, George, wheeling briskly round,
came into rough contact with the table. lie
recovered himself in a moment, laughed,
and walked along the hall, leaving Potter
in very curious and remarkable condition
of mind. That little accident had happened
somewhere before, and 1t seemed to him
matter of the supremest moment that he
should find out when and where.
Whilst he stood pondering be saw the
glimmer of the light from a corridor which
ran from one side of the hall. A fall
against a table in the dark, followed by a
glimmering of light. What did that mean ?
When had these two things happened in his
history befores And why should they be
of such moment to himg The light came
nearer, as he seemed to have known it
would.
Come along. old chap. You know the
way" cried George
He followed like man in dream. What
was there wonderful in man carrying
Lighted candle in dark corridor that it
should startle him SO, and awake in his
heart such an amazed expectancy and fears
The shutters of the room they entered were
fast, as he had known they would be- He
knew the knee table which stood at one of
the windows. There was nothing remarka-
Die IN it-he had seen it scores of times be-
fore. and yet its presence seemed to deepen
the sense Of bewildered awe which had
stolen on him.
Redwood set the candle on the table and
held out his hand for the fishing rod. which
Sam handed to him IN its canvas case. Red
wood, turning to the table, united the
string by which the case was secured, and
began to inspect the rod.
Potter. with the dream-like look of ex-
pectancy deepening on his face with every
passing second, glanced toward the mantel-
piece, and there, standing on one corner of
1t. was little Japanese nitchki, precisely
such figure at he had regarded in room
ID Melbourne years ago at the instant when
hetheridge's murderous stroke had felled
him to the floor. The pulses in his head
heat loud, and his breath came short and
quick. The room seemed to darken and
dazzle on his sight, and suddenly be turned
with a wild cry on his companion.
my God, matey, rememberm
Redwood started from his seat, and, turn
ing, seized Potter by the arm Just as he
seemed in the act of falling.
My dear chap" he asked, whats the
matter with you! Here, sit down"
He led him to a sofa, aud having seated
him there crossed the room for the candle
and returned.
I'm all right now" said Sam. at came
TO me at run. I've been trying to get at
IL for years, and now I've got it.
He was staring and trembling and the
sweat stood in beads upon his forehead.
Redwood was il some natural fear about
him, and scrutinized him with a close anx-
iety.
what have YOU got, old champ he asked