The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-31

| He had never been taught, never had
any example, God help him, God forgive
him! and mine-mine all the timel
| Then out of the complete darkness
, came into that faint grey where the box
was, an arm, hand. 1t touched, not cal
culating the distance, the solid substance
with faint jar, and retired like ghost,
while she sat rigid, looking on: then
more cautiously, more slowly still, it
stole forth again, and grasped the box.
Miss Bethune had settled nothing what
to do, she had thought of nothing but the
misery of it, she had intended, so far as
she had any intention, to watch while the
tragedy was played out, the dreadful act
accomplished. But she was woman of
sudden impulses, moved by flashes of res
olutiOn almost independent of her will.
Suddenly, more ghostlike still than the
arm of the thief, she made q sudden
movement forward and put her hand upon
his. Her grasp seemed to crush through
the quivering, clammy fingers, and she
felt under her own the leap of the pulses
but the criminal was prepared for every
emergency, and uttered no cry.
She felt the quick, noiseless change of
attitude, and then, the free arm swing to
strike her-heaven and earth to strike
her, woman twice his age, to strike her,
his friend, his She was strong woman,
in the fulness of health and courage. AS
HulCh DIS llRu SIG SGlLtu buB dS
ii descended, and held him as in a grip
of iron Was it guilt that made him like
child in her holdl He had a stick in
his hand, shortened, with heavy head,
ready to deal blow. Oh, the coward,
the wretched coward She held him
painting for a moment, unable to say a
word, and then she called out with
voice that was no voice, but a kind of
roar of misery, for "Gilchrist, Gill
christi"
Gilchrist, who was never far of, who
always had her ear open for her mistress,
heard, and came flying from up or down
stairs with her candle, and some one else
heard it, who was standing pensive on
the balcony, looking out and wondering
what fate had now in store for him, and
mingling his thoughts with the waving of
the trees and the nameless noises of the
street. Which of them arrived first was
never known, he from the other room
throwing wide the door of communica-
ton, or she from the stairs with the i'm
pish, malicious light of that candle
throwing in its sudden illumination as
with pleasure in the deed
The spectators were startled beyond
measure to see the lady in apparent con-
tiict with man, but they had no time to
make any remarks. The moment the
light flashed upon her, Miss Bethune
gave great cry. Its you, ye vermin!"
she cried, hinging the furtive creature in
her grasp from her against the wall, and
half stunned him for the moment. And
then she stood for a moment, her head
bent back, her face without a trace of
color, confronting the eager figure in the
doorway, surrounded by the glow of the
light, flying forward to help her
80 God, forgive mel" she cried-"God,
forgive me, for l am an i'll woman, but
will never forgive mVselfi -
The man who lay against the wall, hav-
ing dropped there on the floor with the
vehemence of her action, perhaps exag-
gerating the force that had been used
against him, to excite pity-for Gilchrist,
no mean opponent. held one door, and
that unexpected, dreadful apparition of
the young man out of the lighted room
bearing down upon him, filled the other
was Alfred Hesketh, white, miserable,
and cowardly, huddled up in a wretched
heap, with furtive eyes cleaning, and the
heavy-headed stick furtively grasped,
still ready to deal an unexpected blow, had
he the opportunity, though he was at the
same time rubbing the wrist that held it,
is if in pain.
Young Gordon had made hurried step
towards him, when Miss Bethune put out
her hand. She had dropped into chair,
where she sat painting for breath.
n
"You brute2" cried Harry how dare
you come in herel What have you done
TO frighten the lady2"
He was interrupted by a strange
chuckle of laugh from Miss Bethune's
painting throat.
Its rather me, I'm thinking, that's
frightened him." she said. eye wretched
vermin of creature, how did We know2
What told We in your measurable mind
that there was something here to steal2
And We would have struck meme that
am dealing out to We your daily bread
No my dear, you're not to touch him ;
don't lay finger on him. The Lord be
hanked-though God forgive me for
thanking him for the wickedness Of any
mani"
How enigmatical this all was to Harry
Gordon, and how little he could imagine
any clew to the mystery, it is needless to
say, Gilchrist herself thought her mis-
tress was temporarily out of her mind.
She was quicker, however, to realize
what had happened than the young man,
/ who did not think of the jewels, nor re-
member anything about them. Gilchrist
looked with anxiety at her lady's white
face and cleaning eyes.
Take her into the parlor, Master
| Harry" she said; "she's just come out
| And I'll send for the police"
You'll do nothing Of the kind, Gil
christ" said Miss Bethune. Get up, ye
creature. You're not worth either man
or woman's while you have more fusion
! than cat. Get up, and be gone, We poor
weak, wretched, cowardly vermin, for
| that's what We are, and thank the Lore
with all my heart that it was only you
| Gilchrist, stand away from the door, anc
| let the creature 60"
He rose, dragging himself up by de
! grees, with furtive look at Gordon, who
| indeed. looked a still less easy opponent
than Miss Bethune.
! Il take that gentleman to Witness hi
| said, "as there's no evidence againgt me
but just lady's fancy, and I've beer
! treated very bad and my wrist broken
for aught know, and bruised all over
| and l -"
Miss Bethune stamped her foot on the
floor. "Begone, ye born liar and robber,
she said. "Gilchrist will see We off the
| premises; and mind, you never come
within my sight again. Now, Mr. Harry
as she calls We, I'll go into the parlour, al
she says; and the Lord that only knows
the wickedness that his been in my mind
forgive me this night, and it would be
comfort to my heart, my bonnie man, il
you say amen"
Amen with all my heart" said the
young man with a smile, "but, so far as
| can make out, wickedness is to be far toe
| good and forgiving. What did the fellow
| dol l confess l should not like to be
! called vermin, as you called him freely
but II he came with intent to steal he