The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-02

After what / had learned from Uncle
Eph. I am sure my own must have been
the saddest heart at Converly Pines as,
after being welcomed by Col Converly.
was brought 70 the supper table and pre-
scented 10 the different members OF the
family and TO their fair guest.
There was an invalid mother. smiling
tenderly through her pain; a father sad
dened, as Uncle Ephe had truly said but
still, true TO the grand hospitality Of
the south, bravely relieving the stranger
by every article Of geniality from the
keen embarrassment of his hateful posi-
tion; a son, grave and courteous, but
moody and silent: and two of the most
winsOme young woman I have ever yet
seen together in all my life.
Their beauty was almost startling; their
grace and vivacity were like gladdening
sunlight in somber places; and their af-
lection for each other was apparently
Of that perfect innocence and trust which
bestOws on beauty a two-fold lovliness.
One brought face to face with such
conditions judges quickly.
/ saw in Kate Converly that poetic type
Of southern women which no poet has
yet fit.y sung; which no painter has 50
far truly revealed; which no novelist has
ever been able to fully interpret; woman
brave and strong as a good man, exquis-
lite as Greek model in symmetry of form,
innocent and loving as a happy child, and
yet shining through from it all. was that
indefinable. inexpressible glory of frank,
free. self poised womanhood.
Her friend and companion was a pro-
duct of tenser moods and ways; supple and
1.-THE and all alight from the glowing fric-
ton Of the schools, the cities, and the
travelled routes of seeing and thinking;
gay. brilliant and fine; but toned and mel
lowed by inherent goodness, it seemed to
me, which had left good woman's soul
shining out of clear and flashing win
dows; or still, tempered by the sweetness
and innocence of her present environment
to the sraces and tones which strangely
thrill.
We We're at last lingering over our cof-
fee in a most genial mood and I was de-
termined that no reference to my mission
should mar the tender spell; when a cas-
Ual reference by Miss Kate to some
clever prank of Henry Brice impulsively
brought this not to her from my pocket.
She read it quickly, broke into merry
laughter, gave the sheet an impetuous
little kiss and tossed the note to her
father with.
Just like Harry, dear fellow
From that instant. for a time at least, 1
was jealous of my old college friend
Yes" said the Colonel, with a sigh,
Harry telegraphed us when the package
left Atlanta, and when it would arrive at
South Converly." Then after a slight
pause: I'VE thought it best not to leave it
there over night; and my son here rode
over and found it there but few hours
after il arrived. Suppose we let you know
all that we know about the matter, MI.
Euston?"
1 felt myself the culprit in this fine old
southen home; but answered him that
would be glad to have he facts, if IL
were their pleasure.
My son, will you begin?" asked the
father. after a painful silence.
Yes, SIR was the firm response. ''Mr.
Euston, my father directed me to 90 70
the station and get this miserabls money;
this miserable money" he repeated en-
phatically. Il went on horseback. l
took the package from the agent and re-
ceipted for it without leaving my saddle.
l returned home dismounting but once
at an old Scotchman's, about eight miles
from the Pines. l remained ut his house
perhaps fifteen minutes. He is i'll and in
trouble. Then l came directly home.
Sister Kate took the package from my
hands to father. That IS my entire knOwl.
edge of the matter; save tha- | waJ pres
ent here at This table whe,s the package
was opened and the money counted"
1 saw thai Miss Kate was eager to speak
but L asked her brother:
Did you notice the condition of the
seals?"
Il did MT"
From Carrollton to Converly Pines I
had not been able to secure the certain re-
collection of any other person on this most
important phase of the matter.
You see, Mr.. Euston." began Kate Con-
verify, Il had just come from the stables
where one of our very dearest horses was
suffering from an accident. l saw my
brother riding up from the highway, and as
he passed me l took the package from his
hand. l went straight to fathers office,
where 1 had seen him a few moments be-
fore in company with neighbor. Not
finding father, 1 laid the package on his
desk and began searching for him. Mean
time, Miss Clara, here" and her arm en-
circled her friend lovingly, was looking
for me. She came from the library into
the Office"
Yes" interrupted Clara Brathwaite,
Ito be more exact. from the sitting room,
through the library, into the office"
Her head lay on Miss Hates shoulder;
and l remember that her face looked most
engaging and pretty, half turned from me
as it was with bright smiles for our in
valid hostess, and with Hates luxurious
hair falling in soft folds partly over her
forehead and neck.
q noticed the package" she continued.
pleasantly, land 1 thought as the outer
door was open and the servants were con-
stantly passing. it should be delivered at
once to Col. Converly. So l closed the
outer Office door and brought the package
back through the library and sitting room
to the dining room, where the colonel and
Mr.. Game were just inquiring if the ladies
were ready for supper I laid the package
beside Col. Converly's plate and called his
attention to it,
Shortly after we were seated at the
table" began Col. Converly, Il opened one
end of the package with the knife at my
plate. On counting the money, l found it
$3,210 short l then asked Mr. Game to
count it. 1t was counted by all at the
table with precisely the same result. 1 i'm
mediately placed the matter in the hands
of my attorneys, at Raleigh, and conclud-
ed the colonel with dignity, IT have
as yet secured nothing further tnan re-
peated promises by the company's officers
of rigid investigation"
Which is certainly being made" re-
piled with far more solemnity than the
immediate occasion seemed to demand :
for nearly every one at the table glanced
at me searchingly and inquiringly
I instantly parted their apparent con-
Germ by reference to the peculiarities of
ponderous ofhoialism, and half-jokingIv
begged that while I remained among
~. ~.