The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-12
Two-Minute Novel.


Homer Fort sat in the parlor nervously toy
ing with an ivory paper knife. writes a New
York Tribune story-teHer- she had not yet
come down. He was in evening dress. and as
he leaned forward and caught glimpse OF his
face in a mirror he was surprised to see that
he was pale. But he felt il to ue the supreme
moment of his life. the one on which his
TO ask BeatrlX that evening 10 he his Wife
He heard the rustic Of stlken skirts and drew
quick. involuntary breath. But II was Mrs.
Hildehart, the mother of Beatrix who en-
tered She was widow and lived alone with
her daughter
An. Mr.. Fort" said the lady, extending
her hand graciolsly, you are quite deserted
here, are you not
No not that. Mrs Hildehart." answered
Homer. Il found the place deserted and col
onized 1t, and base my claim on priority Of
settlement. But encourage immigration,
he added quickly.
The lady smiled as she sank into a chair
and looked a the yOnng man.
Your daughter continued Homer, she IS
WE'LL
quite so-and much interested in her
charitable work, We have had very hard
winter and alas there are many poor by
the way, Mr.. Fort. there is a matter on which
l wish 10 speak to YOU
indeed said the young man. as he felt
/ the color again flying from his face. The
| lady sat no on the edge OF her chair, adjusted
pair OF gold trimmed eyeglasses, and looked
at him narrowly
Yes, matter of great importance 1
have had 1t in mind some time. and although
II Is an awkward and painful subject, II can
not } e avoided longer
Homer faltered an inarticulate reply and
swallowed q lump in his throat.
"GoI have now. MI fort been visiting my
/ daughter BeatriX for almost year. Your
calls be ONE more frequent and they grow
longer. GU do not deny this / fancy Mr..
Fords'
Poor Homer shook his head and chung to
the arms OF his chair. he could feel his
heaft thro3bing in his bosom like some great
pie of n lchinery.
L apprehenGei that you would not-Beat-
riX does not, Nj. Fort. as YOU know. / have
Heen to considerable expense during the past
year, in visiting the world s fair and repair
ing my carriage house This added to the
notorlo1s strlngency OF the times. has seri-
ouSly reduced nv purse. Now, MIR. Fort, you
must know that in sitting up here so often
and so late with BeatriS you have burned out
a great deal OF wood during the winter l do
not ask you. Mr. tort to furnish the wood.
but my dear young sir, must insist on your
saving 1t in the future, You viii, OF course,
comply with my wishes in the matter"
She swept out Of the room. Homer Fort
hid his face in his hands.
How long he sat thus he could not guess,
but he was aroused by d soft touch on his
mead he started up and with little cry
Beatrix shrank ack.
II thought you were asleep, Mr.. Fort. 20 she
said, lushes iostlinR one another on her Ease.
As she stood there IN the mellow light she
seemed more beautiful than ever; ami she
was known to be the most beautiful girl in
Blnghamton.
With a strong effort Homer spoke.
DO you know ALL he asked,
floor
What can I say-tell me?"
She tapped the toe Of her boot impatiently
on the soft carpet, but did not raise her eyes.
say nothing she replied with intense
earnestness; say nothing but saw wood.
She turned and walked to the sofa, and
from under II drew largo red burk
glttering blade and great, jagged, savage
teeth She held 1t up toward the young man.
saw wood" she repeated
He sank back in his chair and looked at her
as in a dream.
see. she cried, speaking rapidly and CON
trolling herself with an effort, as she reached
behind little bronze Barge on the mantel
and took up a bacon-rind daintily between her
thumb ana finger see IL Will grease the
Blade. l smuggled it from the brea yfast
To lie this morning in my Donbon box" She
rubbed the rind up and down the tlade with
nervous haste. Saw wood" she said again.
You know you were center-rush at college a
year ago, and the rind VIII help, OH so much"
Homer Fort, though young, was man of
resolution. He rose and drew himself up to
his fun six feet.
Il am ready" he said slowly. scarcely part
ing his lips: The words came from the very
depths of his soul.
tie followed her through the kitchen and
INTO the woodShed. there he found pile of
shellbark hickory wood and sawhorse.
- - HCiNt w AttAAlP p AHCH lpl Two HOuIS
the saw raSped and tore and ripped till the
cool air of the wOodshed was foggy with saw
dust. Sometimes he would stoD for a mo-
ment and the girl would apply the bacon rind
to the hot and quivering blade. 1t would hiss
and sputter: but in moment the saw would
be leaping like a living thing through a hicl1-
DRY knot. At last it paused for lack of food
He stood by the young girl with his face
flushed
"Beatrix." he said softly but his voice did
not faltcr, my Beatrix. with YOU by nv side
l could saw woOd-forever!"
She looked up into hsface trust and hap
ptnesS deeper than words could tell shining
from her ewes.
4 S they went into the house he saw a future
as / vision stretching away before him;
but through all the years he could see no rart-
ing from the woman by his side The hoarse
growl of cat followed them from the wood
shed.
Tom has found the bacon nd, - whispered
the girl.