The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-12
COPYRIGHTED 1898 Ry THE A1rru

uone something or other which had won the
gratitude of some lord and his lady, and as
a reward was given some position on the
estate. AT Marlcombe my mother was
born, and there she remained until she met
my father, married him, and | was born.
he way in which my parents met was
very singular. One morning in summer
as mother was going to the WELL she saw
man lying, apparently asleep, under a
| hedge by the roadside. She had a dog
with her and it aroused the man, who on
seeing her, asked for drink. She ran to
the we'll, gave him drink, and then he
! tainted away.
AS you may imagine, my mother was
not a little terrified when she saw the
stranger fall senseless on the grass, and
she at once ran back to the house for assis-
lance When her father heard Of what
she had seen, he hurried TO the mans assis-
tance, and carried him at once into
the cottage There he lay for many days,
dangerously i'll, according TO my mothers
account, and when he recovered sufficiently
he explained to those who had tended him
In his hour Of need that he was very we'll
connected, aud had left home on account of
some serious quarrel be had had with his
relations
What was the mans nRmep Paul asked,
IN evident eagerness. AT least, what
name did he give himselfp
He said his name was Sydney Barring
ham, she answered.
''Barringham, Birmingham" he nuts
tered in q meditstive way. II think have
heard that name before. but for my life l
cannot remember when or where. But
where did be say he came fromW
He never spoke on that point, Paul, and
they never questioned him as to where his
home was, or where his relatives lived. He
told them to wait and have confidence in
him and all would be we'll in time. They
must have trusted MIN very much"
But what was he Hkel Did your
mother ever describe him to you, Sa-
lomep
"Many a time,n was her response.
Mother said he was very handsome-look-
ing and evidently a gentleman from his
manners aud speech. He was tall, fair
haired, and seemed to be about % years
old.n
"Well, go on with your story. dear.
What happened after this Sydney Barring
ham recovered, Salome"
married. My mothers mother had been
dead many years at that time, and after
the marriage grandfather and my parents
| all lived together in the cottage"
Aud afterwardl What did your father
do? Did he go back home to make peace
with his relativesm he demanded.
Il cannot tell you. After the marriage
my fathers influence a situation as
underkeeper on the estate, and
for several months they lived very
happily together. Then suddenly and with.
out the least warning, my father disap-
peared. One night in winter he went out
saying be was going for half an hour to the
village inn.-whioh was not very far away
and he never returned"
Had your mother and father quar-
reledw he asked, his emazement deepen
ing each moment.
'Never a word of anger had ever passed
between them 50 she told me-"
But when be left the house that night he
must have already made up his mind to 20
away"
ut would not appear So for he went to
the public house, and remained there some
short time. They never saw him again, but
be wrote the same night"
"Where did he write fTomp
From a village mile or two away"
"What did he say9"
"He said that circumstances over which
he had no control had taken him from her.
that he could not tell her where ae was 90
ing or how long he would be away, but he
assured her there was no cause for alarm no
matter how long he was absent; and he
promised TO write again soon."
"He wrote9h
"Never again did she either see him or
hear from HIM. She waited and waited for
months, even years, but her watching and
waiting was ell fruitless; and when grand
father died, and she was forced to leave the
cottage, she obtained lodgings with some
friends ab a farm in the district"
Your grandfather would leave your
mother some means, daresay, SalomeF'
''Only few pounds, i understand.
Mother told me that she supported
herself and me by helping in the dairy.
After Whiting for two years she left
the piece. She was tired of being
an object OF curiosity and comment TO all
the people in the village, for, of course, all
the folks In Mario oInbe knew Of the singular
manner ia which my mother had been de-
serted"
81 can understand how she would feel,
DEAR he Whispered in sympathetic tones.
1T must have been terribly trying time
for her."
Bv this time the lovers were within sight
of the hamlet OF Thorrell Moor. Across the
white expanse of sRow-coYered aud moon
lit highrosd they could zee the struggling,
Old-fashiOned cottages, with the warm
lights shining in many Of the windows;
and over TIE meadows. among she bleck,
leatess trees, tley could perceive the peaked
roof Of the vicarage, which was to be the
White Gipsy's home for some time to come
Suppose We turn back now, Salomep
Paul suggested, "eud as We walk back you
can CONTINUE your story. I never dreams,
when asked you to tell me something
about your past, that you history would
tnrn cut to be so remarkably romantic. Go
on. dear. After you and your mother left
Marlcombs where did you goN
I'VE went to Manchester; mother had
appjied for and obtained a situation In some
qentlsmana family there, and there we
seftled down. Before leaving Marlcombe
mother told her friends where we we're
going. and arranged that she was TO be
written to in case my father or any one else
saeEing her on bis behalf turned up.
And 40 my mother went unto service and /
was placed in charge of poor but respect
able woman. Whenever my mother had
holiday she used 10 come TO me, ana l have
still a vivid recollection OF the scenes used
10 make when she, as 5De end OF the day,
was compelled 10 go away aud leave me.
"There is nothing moro TO tell you until
come 30 the time Of my mothers death.
She disd. 80 the doctors said of consumption.
I believe she died OF broken heart. at
the time Of her death wes 10 years old, and
before she passed away she told me all
have told you tonight"
Her voice broke 81 this point and be Ielb
rather than cav that she was crying. For
a moment or TWO be was silent, not wishing
49,, En~ anrroVy. Int nR drew [