The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-06
CHAPTER II.

mere! John, look at that distinguished
looking girl with the maybe dress. over
there with Mr. Masters"
Yes, yes, certainly a striking dress,
ana, as you say, my dear, Z distinguished
looking girl; but who is she?"
why! the wonderful Miss Digby, who
Is living with Mrs. Padapoulo as her
adopted daughter; she is the rage everv-
where this yearr'
An OLD lady swept her soft draperies in
TO the nook where the husband and wife
were sitting. 1T is hardly an unexpected
pleasure to see you here" she remarked.
FOR nowadays all ones friends appear in
this delightful place Do you know any
thing of that Miss Digby who is so much
talked about this season? | thought
knew all the Digbys,' she continued, yet
can ind that this girl is connected
with any of my acquaintances.
Il thought she was an American, like
Mrs. Padapoulo,' said the first ladv.
there's tone in her voice that is surely
American"
We'll" said the old lady. that's just
what everybody is asking; everyone runs
after the girl, and yet her head does not
seem to be turned. 1 must confess 1 have
fallen under the sway of this mysterious
eharmer as fully as the rest of the good
folks"
80! you are like all the rest" said the
voice of Mrs Padapoulo, full of curiosi-
ty about Miss Digby! Well, I'm afraid
you'll have to stay curious. She is my
dear, adopted daughter, and l presume
that ought to be enough for everyoneP'
little constraint was visible in The
manner of the people so suddenly pounced
upon in the midst of their speculate tons
and one attempted to explain that they
were all puzzled by Miss Digby's accent
Geally that of the eastern counties) an
accent scarcely American.
mo, 1t is an older accent; it is the
mother of Yankee! There's another puz-
zle for your good heads to unravel. Mrs.
Tintern, l wonder you don't put this
strange young person into one of your
articles; she is as smart as anything, and
when she wants to do anything, she gem
orally gets there, most of the timer' and
as she passed on Mrs. Padapoulo smiled
to herself.
adopted daughter came to speak to her,
you are creating quite a sensation this
evening. Everyone is mad with curiosity
as to your history, and not a few are
wildly Jealous of your dressmaker," and
she laughed gaily as Jessie stopped to kiss
her, then continued her promenade, till
from the spacious piazza she and her COM
panion stepped down into the garden.
I'm 'realsmad' myself" he was begin
ming, but she was talking merrily of their
recent journey to Morocco, the greatest
pleasure of her whole life Don't you re-
member Miss White when her donkey
turned sulky, and had to be dragged along
by the boy" she said. "and that funny old
Mai. Wilkinson, who would wait for the
interesting animal to come to decision
before he ventured to proceed?"
1T was too killing for anything" replied
the young man, but do be serious for one
minute. Miss Digby, l want to speak to
you, and you are in such request that
have no chance unless you will give me one
now"
do you know you gave something away
just now that would have given worlds
to have had" he questioned. changing the
subject quite suddenly it seemed.
did L? Well. why didn't you ask for IT,"
she returned saucily, Though | haven't
notion of what II can have been. haven't
given any thing to anyone all the even
ing-oh!' as she remembered the only gift
she had made, and blushed in confusion.
81 think you know" he said, II want to
have the first right Of that sort of gift;
no." as she made a movement to silence
him, II am going to have my say. / have
surely waited long enough. Miss Digby,
just listen to me for one moment; 1 love
you, you don't know how | love you" he
persisted.
"Ohl don't say that" cried the girl, her
face afame ut can never be. you don't
know"
Il know all that I want to know" he as
serted. II know that ] love you devotedly,
and have loved you for ages, and you,
you DO care for me. you do love me, am
sure OF It.. For heavens sake don't try to
hide IT. what Is there to mind, tell me
daerest?" he ended gently drawing her to-
wards him as he spoke.
Rut abe could nOf gnpatr or make anV q N
swer for the moment, 50 shaken was she
with emotion, and he stood beside her In
pltable helpessness
What have | DONE do tell me how
have upset you SO? Don't cry, dearest.
don't cry, / only seek your happiness and
my own"
With an effort she controlled herself and
slipping out Of his embrace, she said IN
a voice that trembled piteously. mr.. Mas
.ers, / thank you from my heart for the
honor you have done me, but you must
hear who / am before can let myself lis