The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-05

CHAPTER VI.
SIR SYDNEY DIssENBLEs.

f'@Ne-
Of a healthy youugster, was attacking his
Iecond egg. Lady Carsland and her charm
ing daughter we're seated also at the break
last table, and the talk hitherto had been Of
the ordinary kind which takes place at the
family meals.
~ cannot say that have, Sir Sydney"
Paul Meredith replied. 81 was thinking Of
riding out, the morning is such q fine one"
Then in that case you may as well drive
over with me to Earlsford. l have little
business to transact In town, but it will not
1et6in me many minutes and shall be
glad of your COMPANY
Many thanks | shall be pleased to &C.
company YOU" Paul answered, frankly.
'At what time do you start"
In half an hour
81 will be ready then
For several days Salome's sweetheart had
Intended to take his guardian into mis- con-
1dence, and Tell him everything as to how
matters stood between himself and the
beautiful pit brow girl.
But be had permitted day after day to
glide away, and the words he wished to
speak-the story of love he desired TO relate
we're as yet uusp0ken. 1t was so easy for
him to resolve upon unbosoming himself to
Sir sydney, but 1t was quite another matter
when the moment for speaking out pre-
sented itself. He ana the baronet met often
In the course Of eacl day and the young
man had trembled on the point of deliver
ance any number Of times. He wanted to
take the plunge-wished to say, "Sir sgd
ney, you may think me foolish, mad even,
but love one Of your workgirls and have
resolved to marry herm yet SO far had
lacked the courage to take the dive.
But the moment had come when he felt
that be could speak. and he vowed TO take
the bull by the horns during the drive to
Eerlsford that morning.
Half an hour or so after the barOnet had
extended his invitation TO his ward they
we're bowling along the highroed in dog
cart at the heels of a powerful roam. The
morning was clear and slightly frosty: a
red SUI hung low in the southeast; under
the hedges and in shady spots there were
patches Of rhine. The elder man was driv-
ing, and the younger one was wondering
how be should lead up to the subject with
which bis mind was filed, when Sir Sydney
remarked
81 suppose, my dear Paul, that you have
no fault to find with me as a guardian"
Paul thought it singular question to ask
at that moment, but he answered quietly as
he took his cigar from his mouth
Certainly not, Sir Sydneyw
~ have always striven to do my duty
toward you as II you were my own son.
"You have; and hope have done moth
ing, absolutely nothing, TO lead you to think
was, or am, dissatisfied with your guard
isnship, Sir Sydney"
Nothing. l hope, therefore, you will
pardon me if | venture to speak to you re-
specting q matter which has come to my
ears
''What is it1
II may speak, then. without giving you
offensem
"Of course you NAV"
''Tell me then what truth there is or is
not in this story have beard about your
flirting with some pit brow girl. l am "a
much older man than you-have seen not a
little Of the world, and l know, therefore,
how easy it is for generous, pleasure-lov-
ing young fellow like yourself to get en-
tangled with pretty girl. l should never
forgive myself, Meredith, il you were
To-
"Wait a moment, Sir Svdnev.n Paul
burst forth, "snd I'll tell you all about it.
I've been wanting to talk to you about it
ever so long. and l am glRd-very glad
you have introduced the subject now"
The baronet drew his horse into a quiet
trot and waited.
Gathering breath, Paul spoke. He told
his companion everything. First be drew
a vivid picture of his first meeting with
the pit-brow girl in Gale Wood, dwell-
ing upon the lassie's rare beauty, and men
tioning what took place during their con-
versation. Passing on. he spoke of the i'm
preston she had made upon him. how he
had sought her out afterward, when his
fancy had quickly developed into love of the
strongest ami most impassioned kinds He
laid bis own feelings of the timebare
pointed out how he had struggled against
the affection be could not conquer, and
finally Rvowed that he was engaged TO the
lass and intended to marry her.
Il never dTeamt that things had gone so
far as this, " the baronet remarked gravely,
when his wards hasty and eloquent recital
terminated.
You blame me, of COURSE
"While l cannot honestly blame you
who could blame you for being so opel and
so honoTable?-I must, if | am to be candid
with you, Paul, say that you have done a
most imprudent thing"
Yes. looking at the matter from your
point Of view. But it is only so because she
is poor. / suppose What does her poverty
count forl / am rich enough for us both
And, Sir Sydney, she is very beautiful, and
l love her 30 much"
But what will the world-your world
and mine-thinkg To marry such girl is
to commit suicide, socially speaking"
''Not at ell-and if it were l would do it,"
Paul replied, firmly But if you could
only see Miss Birmingham you would be-
lieve as do that she is the sweetest and
dearest girl alive. Besides. we don't mean
70 marry for ever so long yet l wanted her
to marry me right away but she wouldn't,
and we have agreed to wait three years.
That, at all events is a sensible arrange
ment," said Sir Sydney, in a voice which
bespoke relief ut will permit both of you
70 test yourselves
That is what Salome said"
"Is that her name.n Carslaud Queried.
with more esgerness than he had previously
shown.
Yes; Salome Birmingham. Pretty, is it
noti" - "
1T is a most singular name for a pit
brow gIrl," the baronet answered, with a
certain strange far-awsy look IN his eyes
"What is this girl like, Pauls Where does
she llvel / should like to see her"
The lover described his sweetheart in
warm words, and his companions look of
preoccupation increased.
docs she belong to these parusl' Cars
land asked, with an effort the other did not
notice.
. think not. but cannot say where she
halls from. l only know that l love her
madly, and that she Is the most beautiful
woman | ever set eyes on. | know, of
course, that she is an orphan, but that ia
about all know Of her history, whatever il
my be-"
How old will Miss Barriugham bem Sir
Sydney asked, as he reused himself and
touched the horse with his whip.
Nineteen. But forgot TO tell you that
mean to have her educated. In thres years
she will be fit 60 mate with any aristocrat in
all ENGLAND. That WAC Ora of the IN ttars 7