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

EELndAr You alE AASA4Ns 101AA-A-Ars Az
She gave me her hand as she left the
table and in its momentary pressure
there was surely that mutual recognition
Of things. so subtle and yet so mighty
/ thought, that could have then sped
with this lovely creature away from the
entire sad business, with her would JOY
ously have sought instant flight; flight
that would have averted from Kate Con-
verify and myself perhaps the keenest
suffering that we shall ever know
The ladies now withdrew. and / went
at once with Col Converly to his office.
This Office was a diminutive structural
addition to the old mansion, peculiar TO
the finest southern plantation homes IN
slavery times. Within il the planter
transacted his business with strangers,
conferred with his overseer, and, more
curious still, it was where, under the
old regime. he was surgeon, physician,
and dispensing chemist 10 his hundreds
of servants. In this instance. it was still
devoted to its former uses; and here,
under broad, grated window and be
side a huge fireplace. Col. Converly did
most of his correspondence upon an an
tique mahogany desk.
We had no more than entered the
Office when his manner instantly
changed. He stood leaning against the
ing the wood ashes back into the fire
place and his face a pathetic picture of
disbursement and dread.
col. Converly," 4 at once abruptly
inquired. will you pardon me for ask
ing If you have any definite suspicion in
this matter?"
Il haver' he almost groaned.
ITO whom does it point2"
God help me!-to my SON."
l mentally thanked God that his sus-
piciOn was directed to but one of his
children; that he could not see that one.
perhaps still dearer 10 him, had. in
moment of overwhelming temptation,
brought a shadow upon Converly Pines
which could never be effaced; but his
grief was so affecting to me that 1 lied
to him, out of hope and compassion, when
l said:
Il do not believe it. have almost posi-
tive proofs otherwise"
Mr.. Euston," he exclaimed grasping my
hands with fierce eagerness, Establish my
sons Innocence, and the gratitude of every
Converly living will be yours foreverr
l had scarcely closed the door of my
apartment for the night when I heard a
low but imperative knock upon it, and the
heir to Converly Pines had entered almost
in advance of my bidding. He walked
straight to me and said:
MIR. Euston, you have been received here
as guest. If your are also an officer of
the law, still beg that you will retain the
sacred relation of guest and friend. viii
you do this?'
Il will"
will you go with me at the earliest pos
sible moment tomorrow and let me prove
my innocence of what l am conscious my
father suspects and make that innocence
unquestionable clear to him."
You may depend upon it,"
Then you shall never know want nor
sorrow so long as a Converlys hand can
brave and dor
1 would have staked my life on his inno-
cence at that moment. | knew him to be
innocent when the next day was closed
and had brought inexpressible Joy to all
at Converly Pines in my enthusiastic re-
cital to his father of the absolute thor
oughness with which his sons movements
on the evening of the arrival of the pack
age had been scrutinized
But the bitterness had been lifted from
the fathers heart and sunk within my own
For every hour that now passed loved
more and more hopelessly, the one being
in that home whom my duty must irrevo-
cably snare in the meshes of her fatal
crime.
Innumerable little dif1ednces, sudden
starts, distracted musings efforts at
gaiety. stolen glances and embarrassed
speeches, pointed with unerring finger to
this queenliest of women; and, aside from
these, 1 had discovered almost absolute
proofs of her guilt.
Col. Converly stoutly asserted to me
that no letter ever left his office without
being sealed with wax. He was equally
positive that he had never sealed a letter
over his office fireplace. Yet l had dis
covered that one of the ornamental tops
of the brass tire-dogs almost exactly
fitted the curious seals of the rifled pack
age; and upon the brick work in front of
the fire-guard, l had found several
Splatches of hardened wax
In the brief time that Kate COpvarl,,
had remained alone and unobserved in
her fathers office, she had opened, robbed
ana resealed the money package and left
It behind her in guilty fear, not daring
to place it in her fathers hands!
1t is needless to dwell upon nv own suf
terings; my struggles to contemn where
loved my conflicts between friendship
and honorable duty; my agony through
the unhappy days, when thousand times
was on the point of begging this beau
THU girl to confess and to restore all.
and through the long nights when
pleaded with God to reveal else than de-
spalr for myself and endless shame for
all at Converly Pines
But day came when I could find no av-
cuse for remaining longer; a gay when
cara BrathWaite must return to her
friends also. and we could proceed to New
York together; when the Converlvs all
accompanied their fair guest in the great
Kate who, by my side and on horseback,
led me over the river path beneath the
mighty, sobbing pines a day when we
rode Tor miles together without a word
when my heart was being torn from its
very rootings in the only soil which had
ever given it life, and which almost
ceased to beat when the fair horsewoman
at last touching my arm softly. said al,
most in a whisper:
And what has Ralph Euston found at
Converly Pines?"
A woman whom he loves and who is
also a criminalr'
For miles more there was no further
word. Nor could l know the infinite sac
rlhce and heroism in her final answer-the
only words which passed between us then
until Good-byes!" were waved and said
from our departing coach window.
Ii your soul is great one, Ralph Eua-
ton, you will forgive and protect that wo-
man as have tried to dor
was stunned and stupefed. Miss
BrathWaite had had but a few hours rest
the previous night, was wearied from the
long journey, and after had removed he.
A