The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-14

come when you would be only too thankful
to be in my shoes You think he prefers
your blue eyes and light hair to my gor-
geous tropical beauty. We shall see, for
think differently. Why"-looking back
that Langley Bruce has met her. He's
holding her hand, and looking into her
face as if-yes, as if he loved her Good
gracious CONTEMPORARY, he is no
great shakes. she is welcome to him He
is plain enough to brighten the owls"
Mrs. Bruce - Langley's mother-had
come a widow to Slackaby when Nelly
was about 8, bringing with her a small
income and two children, one a strong,
sturdy boy of u, the other his junior by
some few years-Hugh-a poor, small,
deformed cripple She augmented her
means by taking in a dozen scholars,
amongst whom were the Lundies from the
vicarage, three BOyds, and last though
by no means least, Nelly Henstock. What
she and her boys had been to Nelly, or
Nelly to them, it would be beyond power
to describe, but the tie that bound them
altogether was very strong DIR. Hen
stock never went TO the Warren, the
Bruce's home, but he allowed Langley
from the first to visit them. He had even
permitted the suffering, afflicted Hugh TO
be brought, and had devised several things
for his benefit. Not that much could be
done to lessen the boys infirmity, save in
the way of luXuries, and those he had not
only suggested, but supplied.
Mrs. Bruce's greeting to Nelly when
Langley led her in was affectionate, but
in an undemonstrative way. Silently she
folded her eX-pupil to her heart, pressing
kisses on the fair brow.
Il am not to be away long" said Nelly
readily, interpreting the cause of the
silence.
But you'll come back changed Hugh
is in bed, he would not get up because he
is so grieved. No, don't go to him, Nell
he'll get over it better if there is no good
bye" Nelly checked her steps. ooh, l
must see him and just say few comfort
ing things" she declared impulsively
Let me-"
Before assent or refusal could reach
her she was upstairs in Hugh's room. He
had propped himself upin bed. His small
face looked disconsolate and dull till he
caught sight of Nelly Then it changed
marvelously.
You have come to say you have altered
your mind and that you are not going"
he squeaked out excitedly. What" as
she shook her head, cant Langley
persuade you to stay? He promised me
he would
Dear Hugh, " whispered Nelly, bend
ing down in infinite gentleness, and fondly
kissing the wizened face, you are max
ing too much, by far, of my little pro-
ieCted visit | shall scarcely be gone till
| am back to torment you"
That's what they say pointing his
thumb downstairs to indicate his mother
and brother, but they're not like me
they can't see things, not things in the
future, you know, as l can. Nelly, stay
let our love SUFFICE beg you to pause for
your sake as well as for ours, though l
shall die if aught i'll befalls you"
Hugh what should happen to me?"
"Ah! you are startled, Nelly. The
worst is, l can't tell in what way harm
shall come, but come it will. If you go on
this visit you'll never return to us-at
any rate not to me-and, 0, Nelly, Nelly,
my sister, do love you"
To say that Nelly was startled, amazed,
was to put her establishment at the mild
est Hugh, however, was given to strange
Authorizations, and she put his prognosti-
cations determinately from her. Despite
the childishness of his appearance and
the OutSpokenness of his admission, he
was three years her senior.
"Of course you love me, Hugh, and
love you, my dear little brother" she
said brightly, $50 l want you to keep up
a correspondence with me when I'm
gone. You will, won't you, dear?"
A few well chosen words and she left
him. Yet after she had taken leave of
Mrs. Bruce and Langley, their plain but
kindly features beaming on her till she
was out of sight, she recalled Hugh's
singular assertions with a chill OF course
it was absurd. What could happen to
herr L was very weird of him, dear boy
that he was, to utter such grewsome
ideas, He did it doubtless to induce her
to stay; nevertheless. despite her utmost
endeavors to forget them, she was power
less to wholly efface the effect they had
made upon her.
ITO Re CNNTINI-En ]