The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-10-27

ne showed me into the drawing room
aud softly closed the door behind me
saw IN moment that MIS- GOrdoh
was alone Phyllis was not there
an! she said, looking up with SMILE
u that you, Charlie
Yes, / replied, for IL was not a re-
mark that one could controvert
well, we 90 OF t0-mOrroW,' she re
marked, after a moments pause. And
when snail We see you againE
leant forward, resting my elbows on
my Knees steadfastiy regarding the tips
OF my gloved hands. u don't KNOW,
rs there any chance OF your coming to
join US this autumn she asked
j really don't think so. Mrs. Gordon,
SAID. had long ago, and by resolute
EFFORT succeeded In calling her 50.
ON and this Is really good-byeE' she
saiq, IN a queer, cold sort Of voice.
7 m very much afraid So" 1 answered,
Mrs. Gordon looked at me impatiently.
and why should you have any fear about
II she asked buntly.
felt as If something very dreadful was
going 10 happen TO me. Great heavensl
did she mean 10 propose to me outright,
ana what on earth should !, could / DO
under the circumstances Ny very blood
seemed 10 run cold al the thought of IL.
4 could not say no, and It would be worse
to say yes. and then marry Marian when
1 hau gwen ali my heart 10 Fhyllls. as
ever any man in such position in this
world before?
My dear Charlie she went on. find
us Ni4--t 4 " eA1 AAli4Ns nave sp~ 44eNl4A4Ae
to say 10 me2"
J pulled myself together by an immense
effort and looked at her for the first
time. mo, Afrs. Gordon" / said, firmly,
don know OF anything particular that
/ have to say to you
She turned and looked at me. My dear
charlie, she cried, have you taken
leave OF your senses, or have ~
/ remained silent for the very good rea-
son that had nothing to saSs she went on.
You have been coming TO my house for
& 10 have
been everywhere with us, you have at
tdcneu yourself to us, and We are gong
away for long time, and yet you tell
me That you have nothing to say to me
I confess that 1 do not understand such
behavior"
] contrived to stammer out something
very shame-faeed about the pleasure l
had taken in her society, but she inter
rUpted me brusqueiy enough. My dear
soul she exclaimed, what are you talk
"Eh?" said I. looking up in surprise.
She in turn was staring at me, her eyes
run Of mirth, her lips parted with laugh
the Marian Chatterton that / had known
twenty years before than 1 had seen her
look since we had met again.
Charlie, she said, in voice shaking
with laughter, you have never married.
Never" j replied promptly and i'm
tone which ! intended should convey to
her that did not mean to marry now.
DO you think you nave done kindly by
me, my old friend" she said, graveIy,
in coming so much to my house if you
had no Ideas of the kind? You are a very
handsome man. Charlie, and your V. &.
carries great amount Of giamor with 1t.
What shall ] say to my poor little girl
if"
What did she mean? Your little grip
/ cried.
Yes Charley starkey, my little girl"
she repeated, You are in love with that
same nttle girl, are you nOt2"
II simply worship her, / broke out.
And you thought that Lat my age.
on, you foolish creature, have yoU cor-
gotten that silly affair Of years and wars
ago2 Why, ] was old enough to be your
mother, or If not quite your mother: Ger
tainly old enough 70 make a very desir-
able mother-in-law."
What could 1 do? Well, I just told a
downright humping lie in the excess OF
my JOY. Il was afSaid you might think
me TOO old Tor her said lamely.
Rubbish. she returned, then smoth-
cred sigh. An, my dear old friend you
were young then, you are little more than
young now; but l. OH / am old, so OLD.
All my lie is dead leaves and the sad
ness of remembrance. But there what
is the use of saying aught of what is
past and gone? Charlie, we made a little
love to each other. you and !. How ao-
surd! GU have found out what love is
now-I found IL out fifteen years ego. II
has made me old too soon. What is love ;
Sometimes, everlasting flowers For me.
CharNe, dead leaves, only dead leaves
(Tho End