The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-08
CHAPTER III.
THE RETURN OF THE sCAPKeRACE.

THE RETURN OF THE sCAPKGRACE.
1t was the evening following that de-
scribed In the opening pages Of this story.
After dining with Frederic, Sir Nicholas
Carsland had been minded to stroll through
his carefully kept GROUNDS in order
DIGESTION as he himself put it to his
son. As the evening was fine and warm
and his reflections were absorbing, he went
right along the drive. smoking his second
pipeful of mild weed, aud presently the
entrance gates and lodge hove in sight
through the cleaning.
As Sir Nicholas gazed with an Indifferent
glance in the direction of the tall dark arch
and the great gates OF iron underneath he
saw the figure of a man approaching at a
fair pace. A visitor to the hall he thought
and loitered. The next minute he and his
younger son stood face 90 face.
"You-Sydneyp tho barouet managed to
exclaim after an lnstant's breathless silence
which the son seemed unwilling TO break.
"Yes, IL is |, father" the prodlgal re-
piled his keen eyes fixed on his parents
face as IL he desired TO divine his thoughts.
"Nou are surprised TO see me here" he
added. but hope you are not sorry"
II can't say that | am very well pleased
to see YOU" Sir Nicholas ans wered in dry,
matter of fact voice
Il was starving in London in q common
lodging house, said Sydney.
That was your own fault and exactly
what you deserved. The man who chooses
to spend his life as you have spent yours
must bs prepared to take tho consequences
The man who cannot Keep himself has very
small excuse, IN my opinion, for existing at
all"
II know what an ass have been,n sgd
ney responded I'm a contrite way, but
have seen the error of NV ways and hon
estly mean to mend them"
IF you hadn't said the same thing SO
many times before | might be inclined to
believe you. Sydney"
But do mean it now"
I'VE shall see,n was the cutting reioin-
der
You will permit me to stay here awhile
until find something to dot"
80, OF course. But you need expect no
monetary help from me- l have squsndered
enough of thousands on your promises. You
had better begin work at once. Do some-
thing-Rnything. Rather than be depend
emit on anyone as you have been all your
days I'd go down the pit again and be
daUaller."
ut is all very well, father, for you TO
talk like that, for YOU were accustomed to
work-hard work from your boyhood. But
with me It was very different. My bring
log up didn't fit me for anything of the sort,
and | don't think l sIn all TO blame after
ALL
perhaps not. was too soft with you
because | liked you. But l mean to be hard
now for your sake and my own"
Il daresay you are wise, father. But
mean TO be a better man."
When you quite satisfy me of that
shall do something for you-not before. I
suppose we may as we'll walk toward the
hall"
Hitherto they had carried on their con-
versstion on the spot where they had met 80
| Unexpectedly, now they turned and strolled
in silence toward the house, the lights of
which could be discerned through the trees
and the fast falling shadows of the night.
DO you honestly mean, Sydney" Sir
Nicholas asked after while, TO knuckle
down to hard workp
81 do"
Then you shall have the chance
ANY work that can fulfill without any
loss Of dignity as your son."
'Ahl At your age I did not consider
dignity so much as other things"
There was another break in the conversa-
tion. and then the baronet remarked.
You have never inquired about your
brother, Sydney"
"No. How is he' All right, hope. The
fact is that Frederic and don't see things
IN the same light"
HE Is about TO be married"