The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-26

and now. why this very evening, Peter
Worthy had srmRly grasped his hand and
said: "My dear sir, / am delighted that
you continue so bale and hearty. You are
our modern Atlas, and we all pray long life
and strength to you. for without you there
would be ohaosm Peter Worthy, whom he
had often eDvied and often crossed the street
to avoid.
And so the golden days rolled on, each one
the brighter TO Scion Briggs. The young
lieutenant returned to the western army,
for there were rumors of an Indian rising.
The pallor, too, returned to Edith's cheeks,
but her husband had been so charmed by
the bloom that he failed to notice its evanes-
cence. Alb, how blind is c0mplaeenoyl How
can eyes see whose lids are tightly drawnl
Yet there came a worry &c Scion Briggs
from his ohiefest delight His little sou
what bliss in the reinsurance OF such owner
shipi What hopes, what prayers he repre-
sente1, but oh, how much he looked like his
father! An uncanny creep afflicted Scion
as he recognized the SAM tiny eyes, narrow
brow and deep lines about the nose and
mouth, the meaner because the more
dwsrfish. He had hoped for the more beau
tiful child of beautiful mother; alas, he
found an impish imitation Of himself
Al, golden days indeed. a sunset glitter
preceding night. One morning while Edith
was reading the paper she mOaned and
tainted. Il was not until that night had
settled that Scion understood that she had
read an account of Lieut.. JerOme's death on
the battle field. Then IL had seemed a sud-
den attack which revealed a mortal weak
ness. Through the long twilight Of dwind~
ling hope she fingered, gentle, uncomplaiu-
ing. resigned greeting her mate with a
smile which seemed angelic TO the old mans
foud memory, until the hour came when
between the leaves Of her prayer book he
found little note, and realized that she had
died because she had not cared to live.
Then Scion Briggs trembled and felt his
years, and reached out like one lost in the
desert. All, yes; his little Scion. Why
need he despair when in him be could live
egain a blameless life, haunted by no
specters, logged by no watches. Fortunate
child, whose natural virtues could expand
unhedged by the rough necessities of life
Thereafter, in the development of his son
Scion he found an absorbing interest. He
watched, he prayed, be fought against
doubts, but he doubted. He was so like
unto him, not only in appearance but in
characteristics, a silent, secretive little boy
passing through a silent, secretive youth
into a silent, secretive manhood.
One day on his return from boarding
school young Scion Briggs proudly showed
to his father his quarters allowance intact,
with quite an additional sum which he ex-
planned was usury exacted from his mates.
My dear boy" said the anxious old man,
Il fear l have been penurious with you.
Hereafter l shall allow you twice as much,
and il you would please me you will spend
1t quickly and ask for more"
only fools waste money" replied the
lad. sit isn't that you don't give me plenty,
but love to see il grow"
"But you will have millions when die"
Eyes. 1 know. OF counsel But If TO own
millions is great, 20 own more millions must
be greater, and wish to be the greatest man
in the world
"Have a care" said Scion sngrily. "If
| believed you knew what you were talking
about l would disinherit YOU
Young Scion never forgot this threat.
Thereafter he kept his thoughts to himself.
Since it pleased his father that he should be
a spendthrift, spendthr1ft he would be TO
his own profit. He assumed a gay air when
in the old mans company and talked of
people and books as if he didn't despise the
former and ridicule the latter. When be
left college, where, If he was dull. he was
most methodical and regular, be had a
pretty little fortune OF his own, and was as
knowing a screw as Queer street ever de-
veloped.
But his father regarded him as a gallant
young fellow, impulsive, generous hearted
and careless of affairs. He had forced HIM
self to 50 believe out of self-preservation,
and gradually the ideal and real had
expressed his desire to go on the street and
to take biz fathers old seat in the exchange,
the oldarhaHsb faith did not falter. The
reasons given were so plausible; it was quite
the thing for the boys TO go into the stock
market. Even IL one did no business, 10 was
convenient to have access to the center of
affairs. Perhaps he might be Of some service
to his father At all events, he would be
better lifted to assume the care OF vast
property should that day come, which God
forfsnd.
at shall be as you wish, T." said old Scion.
l see you young fellows make diversion
out Of what was very serious business in my
day. So much the better. Alb, the en-
mites that were engendered in that strife
for gold. Scarce day passes that do not
receive some Bcurrilous or threatening let
ter. Keep yourself free, my child, from
the faint of gambling. 1t is robbery by
force of wit, and merits punishment. Well,
IL mine comes to me, l shall be content in
the thought that you will be rich by in
heritanoe, and not through skill which may
be ohicanery"
Young Scion laughed and said that he
guessed he had been too well taught the
dangers of speculation to hazard them, and
thereupon concentrated all his energies to
money-getting. Bred in the bone was this
fierce, absorbing desire, and IL he deceived
his father it was this very Rvarice which 80
advised him. Why didn't the old mau die !
He had passed his usefulness. Every day
he was ignoring opportunities which a
Croesus might grasp for the sake OF repu-
tation which barely served to obscure pub
lie memory. The dotard AS if one could
ever have enough, or fame were preferable
to richest Why didn't the old man die and
yield TO him the fortune which belonged to
him and which he could use, and free him
from this constant deception and time-serv-
ing
For old Scion craved the companionship
of bis son. Like one who possesses a rare
gem, he loved to fondly gaze on him. He
saw no flaw. for years be had willed that
the mental and physical similarity did not
exist, and 80 he now believed.
On Saturday old Scion asked his boy 60 go
with him to his country seat and spend
Sunday aud the young man dare not refuse
AS he was assisting his father to alight
from the train, be felt him start and shud-
der.
whats the troubleF' he asked as they
were leaving the train.
81 thought l saw some one skulking be-
hind pile Of luggage whom l -n The
old man hesitated. ~ am nervous, guess
No matter, Bayles is as alert as he has been
for years. Thank God, my child, you will
never feel the dread OF revenge which you
know to be righteous
Now, Bsyies was Scion Briggs private
detective.
30, those old matters have died away