The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-24
CHAPTER Xxx. lContinuedl.


grateful one. Miss Bethune for once
threw of the gravity which had wrapped
her like a cloak, when she put away her
black bonnet. She babe Chemist hurry
to have the luncheon brought up. These
two young creatures have eaten nothing,
lam sure, this day. Probably they think
they cannot, but when food is set before
them they will learn better. Haste We,
Gilchrist, to have it served up. No, Dora,
you will stay with me, too. Your father
is a troubled man this day. Ye viii not
go in upon him with that cloud about ye,
not till We are refreshed and rested, and
have got your color and your natural
look back. And you, my bonnie mani"
She could nat refrain from touching, ca
ressing shoulder as she passed him;
her eyes Kept filing with tears as
she looked at him. He for his part moved
and took his place as she told him, still in
q dream.
It was curious meal, more daintily
prepared and delicate than usual, and
Miss Bethune was woman who at all
times was every particular" and ex-
ercised all the gifts of the landlady,
whose other dodgers demanded much less
of her.
But the mistress Of the little feast was
not as usual. She scarcely sat down at
her own table, but served her young
guests with anxious care, carving choice
morsels for them, watching their faces,
their little movements of impotence, and
the gradual development of natural APP
petite, which came as the previous spell
gradually wore of. She talked all the
time. her countenance little flushed and
fall of emotion, her eyes moist and shin
Ing, with frequent sallies at Gilchrist,
who lowered round the table waiting
upon the young guests, and in her excite
ment making continual mistakes and
stumblings, which soon reused Dora to
laugh, and Harry to apologize.
"It is all right he cried, when Miss
Bethune at last made dart at her at
tendant, and gave her what is called in
feminine language "a shake" to bring her
to herself.
Are you out of your wits, woman2"
Miss Bethune exclaimed. go away and
leave me 10 look after the BARNS, if ye
cannot keep your head. Are ye out of
your witsl"
Indeed, mem, and I have plenty of rea-
son." Gilchrist said, weeping and feel
ing for her apron, while the dish in her
hand wavered wildly; and then it was
that Harry Gordon, coming to himself,
Efleu tQhJ IL was dll Tlgnb.
"And l am going to have some of that"
he added, steadying the kind creature,
whose instinct of service had more. effect
than either announcement or reproof
And this little touch of reality settled
him, too. He began to respond a little, to
rouse himself, even to see the humor of
the situation, at which Dora had begun
to laugh, but which brought soft moist
ure, in which was ease and consolation, to
his eyes.
1t was not until about an hour later
that Miss Bethune was left alone with
the young man. He had begun by this
time to speak about himself. II am not
so discouraged as you think" he said. 81
don't seem to be afraid. After all, it
doesn't matter much, does it, what hap
pens to young fellow all alone in the
world2 It's only me, anyhow l have no
wife" he said, with faint laugh, mo
sister to be involved nothing but my own
useless person, a thing of no account. 1t
wasn't that that knocked me down 1t
was Just the feeling of the end of every
thing, and that she was laid there that
had been so good to me-so good-and
nothing ever TO be done for her any
more"
Il can forgive YOU that" said Miss Be
thune, with a sort of sob in her throat
sand yet she was i'll to you, unjust at the
last"
mo, not that. have had everything
too much for man capable of earning his
living to take, but then it seemed all so
natural, it was the common course of life
] was scarcely waking up to see that il
could not be-"
And cruel rousing you have had at
last, my poor boy"
No" he said steadily, 81 will never
allow it was cruel; it has been sharp and
etfectual. 1t couldn't help being effect
ual, could it, since l have no alternative
The pity is l am good for so little. Nc
education to speak Of"
"You shall have educatfon-as much as
you can set your face to-"
He looked up at her with a little air oil
surprise, and shook his head. mo" he
said, mot now. 1 am too old. / must
lose no more time. The thing is, that my
work will be worth so much less, being
guided by no skill. Skill is a beautiful
thing. / envy the very scavengers, " he
said (who were working underneath the
window, 'for piling up their mud like
that, straight. l should never get il
straight" The poor young fellow was so
near tears that he was glad from time Ia
time TO have a chance of a feeble laugh
which relieved him. and that is hum.
bic enough ] think much the best thing
for me will be to go back to South Amer
lea There are people who know me
who would give me little place where !
could learn. Bookkeeping can't be such
a tremendous mystery. There's an old
clerk or two of my guardians ''-here he
paused TO swallow down the climbing sor.
row-'who would give me a hint or two
And If the pay was very small at first
why, I'm not an extravagant fellow"
Are you sure of that2" his confidant
said
He looked at her again, surprised, then
glanced at himself and his dress, which
was not economical, and Redeemed and
laughed again. II am afraid you are
right" he said. 81 haven't known much
what economy was. l have lived like the
other people; but | am not too old to learn
and ! should not mind in the least what l
looked like, or how | lived f@r time
Things would get better after time"
They were standing together near the
window, for he had begun to roam about
the room as he talked, and she had risen
from her chair with one of the sudden
movements of excitement There will
be no need, she said .-"there will be nc
need. Something will be found for you al
home"
He shook his head. ''You forget it is
scarcely home to me. And what could ]
90 here that would be worth paving me
for2 / must no more be dependent upon
kindness. Oh, don't think / do not feel
Kindness. What should | have done this
miserable day but for you, who have been
so good to meas good as-as a mother
though / had no claim"