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

lone birmingham and raul Meredith would
never be mated.
That very evening, az Hugh was crossing
the village green, opposite the White Crow,
| he met Salome. / was about Z o'clock, and
| the night had fallen. But for the bright
| 6 are Of the lamp in front OF the inn he
would have passed her by unnoticed. He
! came suddenly to standstill and she stopped
/ also.
Good night, Salome =" he said, dropping
the vernacular and speaking in quiet 4,
! respectful way that was new to him. "a
nice night, isn't it7n
''It is, Hugh, but bit frosty" the girl
replied, Immediately.
| Il didn't see you on the pit brow this
/ afternoon when l came up the pit"
20, no; / wasn't working"
Poorly, daresay"
NO. it wasn't that. Hugh, b" she said, in a
! half hesitant manner.
You are not offended with me for speak
ing TO you that night. Salomep ne queried.
Not at all, she answered. frankly.
Nor for stopping you now and putting
questions to you!"
why should 1 be! Besides, Hugh,
always was very fond Of youth a friendly
wav. think you saw that from the first -
II did, but 1 used TO think it might lead
to our being more than friends some day
but" he added, quickly, that's done with
Do you know, Salome, what folks are say
ing IN the village"
About meW
''You and Mr.. Meredith"
w hat are they sayings Are they talk
ing because have left the pit-brow"
You have left it. thenl Whyi Are you
going away" he asked, eagerly.
"No-but because-well, the fact is,
Hugh, ought not tell you. 1t is a secret
yet. But you will know soon."
q know now-Rll the village is aware OF
NDtv -r,I4 ., -. o.
lands ward"
who told youl" she stammered.
ut is in everybody's mouth But is 1t
trueg Do you yourself believe Paul Mere
dith when he says that be means TO marry
youF' be demanded, impatiently.
II know it is true-I do believe it," was
Salome's firm response. I'm a short time
our engagement will be made known"
80 he has made you believe. But he cam
not mean it. A gentleman like this Paul
Meredith, VINO is we'll connected and worth
his thousands a year, will never stOop to
marry a poor working girl like you,
Salome. He has promised you marriage l
am ready to believe, but will he ever fulfill
his promises l think not. / believe he is
foolinG you, and II he is it will prove bad
davis work for him, )" he said, between his
teeth.
"You are wrong, Hugh, =" she said, gently,
''in thinking Paul could be capable of such
dishonesty. If you knew him as well as
do you would believe in him also"
But it seems impossible to me that such
as be should care for your he answered,
doggedly. 81 may be wrong, but will not
change my opinions until am certain that
this man means to deal fairly with your
He spoke warmly, hotly even, and his
warm words embarrassed her not little.
But knowing that the young pitman loved
her, and that he had her welfare at heart,
she could not bring herself to utter any
harsh words to him, although he doubted
the honesty and sincerity of the one she
loved.
Goodnight" she said, turning away,
"Some day you will find out that Paul
Meredith is mora honest and worthy than
you think he is"
zone moment, Salome," he said lowly.
what is it, Hugh"
"Do you love this man because he is a
fine OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES he is we'll dressed,
sweet-tongued, nice-mannered and rich; and
dislike me because l am rough, unretined
and only common working pitmAnp
You need not ask" she said, with hard
ening face and voice. elf Paul Meredith
were as poor as you are, Hugh Eastwood, l
should love him all the same"
but If had been rich as he is when l
spoke to you on the night when the concert
was given in the Thorreli Moor schools
Exactly what | said then. You know,
Hugh, that we cannot love where we want,
and my love belongs to Paul Meredith"
but am rich now, Sslome, and my
love for you will never die. Paul Meredith
may grow tired OF you-even If he goes 30
far as to marry you. But | should never
tire of you. | have money enough TO keep
us for the rest of our lives-have had
fortune of some thousands Of pounds left to
me, )" he explained, land if you would only
marry me, dear Salome, we should be happy
for ever in one another's love-"
His love had made him eloquent, and the
hot affection poured itself out in a stream
of words she had no chance Of stemming
When he was silent she said
"This is useless. We cannot alter what
has happened. l have chosen my way and
shall so it now. Ii you were worth mill
ions, Hugh, | couldn't change my mind"
"But think of the future" he exclaimed,
with the courage OF the despairing lover
who loves vaIuly. His love may prove a
delusion and a snare-may prove to be only
fancy which will disappear III q few
months and leave you unhappy. You are
so far beneath him that it seems a con-
descension for him to notice you, while you
are SO far above me that shall ALWAYS
look up TO you and worship you as an
angel"
asked me to be his wife and have prom
ised. No matter whether he proves false
or true, l shall remain faithful. Good
night
Good night" he said huskily
She turned hastily away TO go homewsrd,
when his voice arrested her feet.
''Salome"
"What is III"
"Wili you take this as a keepsake? 1t
will remind you of me when | am far away
over the sea. Good night, and may God bless
you, dear Sslomem
He dropped something into her open
palm and walked rapidly away. When she
examined his parting gift she found it to be
a heavy gold ring, gemmed with many
jewels. which flashed in the light of the
lamp close by like points of white and red
and green flame,
Sne thrust the ring on to her fingers idly,
and finding 1t fitted one permitted it to re-
main thereon. Then with a little sigh she
went on her way homeward.
After leaving Salome's side the miner did
not go into the White Crow, as he intended
before meeting her. Instead Of turning
into the old-fashioned tavern he strobe past
the wide, gaping doorway, with It's red
lamp, and plunged into the darkness of the
lamp ess laue beyond.
Chewing the litter end OF his reflections,
! Hugh EGs wood went along, cursing the
| day that be and Salome had met, and the
chance which had brought the handsome
and wealthy ward of the baronet to that