The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-05
Blu MRS. OLIPHANT,
COPYRIGHTED, 1898, BY THE AUTHOR.
CHAPTER TX.

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last been got rid of, to the great relief of
all in the house except Mrs. SimcoX,
whose bills shrank back at once to their
original level, very different from what
they had been been. and who felt herself,
beside, TO be reduced toquite lower level
in point of society, her thoughts and
imaginations having been filed, as well
as those Of jamie and Molly, by tales of
of the hospitals and sickrooms
which made them feel as if translated
into world where the gaiety of perfect
health and constant exercise triumphed
over every success. jamie and Molly had
both determined to be nurses in the en-
thusiasm created by these recitals. They
turned their little nightcaps, the only
things they had which could be so con-
verified. into imitation nurses caps, and
masqueraded in them in the spare
moments when they could shut them
selves into their little rooms and play at
hospital. And the sitting room downstairs
returned for these young persons TO II
original dullnesS when the nurses went
away. The regime" was very different
now.
Dora was in her fathers room all day,
and required a great deal of help from
Jane. bilC Ludlu7bA-dll-N III VI ING AAlS
up and taking away the things that were
wanted. and Gilchrist watched over him
by night. There was great deal of beef
tea and chicken broth to be prepared-nO
longer the time and trouble saving lux
uries of Brands Essence and turtle soup
He would have none Of these luXuries,
now. He inquired into every expense, and
rejected presents, and was angry rather
than grateful when anything was done
for him. What he would have liked would
have been to have eaten nothing at all, to
have passed over meal-times, and lived
upon a glass of water or milk and
biscuit. But this could not be allowed,
and Mrs SimcOX had now great deal of
trouble in cooking for him, whereas before
she had scarcely any at all Mr.. Manner
ing, indeed, was not an amiable conva-
descent. The breaking up of all the habits
of his life was dreadful 10 him. The com
ing back to new habits was more dreadful
still. He thought with horror of the
debts that must have accumulated while
he was ill., and when he spoke of them,
looked and talked as if the whole world
had been in conspiracy against him, in
stead of doing everything and conJriving
everything as was the real state of the
case, for his good.
Let me have my bills-let me have my
bills; let me know how / stand he cried
continually to DIR. Roland, who had the
hardest ado TO quiet him, to persuade
him that for everything there is a reason.
81 know these women ought to be paid at
once" he would say. II know a man
like Vereker ought to have his fee every
time he comes. You intend it very
kindly, Roland, know, but you are keep
ing me back instead of helping me to re-
cover What was poor DR.. Roland to
say. He was afraid to tell his proud man
that everything was paid. The Nereker
hsI gulr hvrF I4nIf a 10. u,
from professional man of such dstinc-
ton as Mr. Manuering. he ought had the
illness not been so long and troublesome. to
have taken nothing at all, was a possible
thing to say; but not that Miss Bethunes
purse had supplied these half fees.
Even that they should merely be half was
a kind of grievance TO the patient. Il
hope you told him that as soon as | was
well enough 1 should see to it," he cried.
II have no claim to let of anything. Dis
tinctiOn!-the distinction Of q half man,
who never accomplished anything!"
Come, Mannering. come, that will not
do. You are the first and only man in
England in your own way"
In my own wayl And what miser
able petty way-a way that leads to moth
ing and nowhere!" he cried.
This mood did not contribute to recov-
cry. After his laboriOus dressing, which
occupied all the morning, he would sit in
his chair doing nothing. saying nothing,
turning with a sort of sickness of despair
from books, and looking even at the paper,
without smile even for Dora The only
thing he would sometimes do was to note
down figures with a pencil on a sheet of
paper and add them, and make attempts
TO balance them with the sum which
quarter day brought him. Poor Mr. Man
ming was refused all information about
the sums he was owing; he put them
down conjecturally, now adding some
thing, now SuOtraCting something. AS a
matter of fact, his highest estimation
was below the truth. And then, by some
unhappy chance the bills that were ~
ing in the sitting room were brought in
10 him. Alas! the foolishest bils-bills
which DOrd's father, knowing she was
unprovided for, should never have in
curred-bills for old books, for fine edi-
tions, Tor delicate scientific Instruments
a man with only his income from the
museum, and his child to provide for
should never have thought ofsuch things
Father said Dora, thinking of moth
ing but To rouse him, there's large
parcel which has never been opened
which came from Eiddler's after YOU We're
taken Ill. had not any heart TO open 1t
TO see what was in il; but perhaps it
would amuse you to look at what is in it
now"
"Fiddler's?" he said, with sick look Of
dismay. "AnOther-another! What do
] want with books, when L have not a
penny to pay my expenses, nor place to
hide my headln
"Oh, father, don't talk so; only have
patience, and everything will come right, -
cried Dora, with the facile philosophy of
youth. "They are great big books; | am
sure they are something you wanted very
much. II will amuse you to look at them
at least"
He did not consent in words. but a half
motion of his head made Dora bring in,
after little delay, TO undo the large par
Gel, two great books covered with old
fashioned gliding in brown leather. frayed
at the corners-books to make the heart
Of a conuoisseur dance, books looked out
for in catalogues, followed about from one
sale to another. Mr.. Mannering's eyes.
though they were dim and sunken, gave
forth momentary blaze. He put out his
trembling hands for them, as Dora APP
preached, almost lettering under the
weight, carrying them in her arms.
Il will put them beside you on the ia
bic, father. Now you can look at them
without firing yourself, and | will run
ana fetch your beef tea. Oh. good news -
cried Dora tinging into Miss Bethune's
room as she ran downstairs. He is Ia
KING little interest! have lust given
him the books from Fiddler's, and he is
looking little like his own self"
She had interrupted what seemed a