The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-29

nave no real objection to you If nv
| glrl really loves you. But somehow have
an idea that this fancy OF Milly's will not
| last. Because 1 gave her to understand
that l should be pleased if she were to
| accept one or other of the good offers
that were at her disposal she was almost
certain to set her heart in another direc-
| ton out of sheer perverseness-at least
that is what l think, but, of course, you
! think differently"
| do!' Leslie retorted, very warmly.
fou feel certain that Millys attach
ment will last?"
Il am as certain of it as I am certain
OF anything!' was Leslie's confident an
| swer.
And you are willing that her affection
and your own-shall be put to the
| proof?"
Il am. I am willing to submit to any
proof"
Then that is all I require. And now
nave suggestion to make in regard to
! this matter
| u shall object to nothing reasonable"
w nat l have to suggest is this. AS I
fancy that Milly's love-whim will pass in
few months at the longest-I see you are
| slnlllng-I wish you to see nothing of each
| other for year I thought also of stip-
ulatng that no letters should pass between
you Tor that period, but am inclined now
TO torego that condition if you are willing
10 accept the other suggestion"
i am quite willing" Leslie cried, warm
| ~ and L am certain that Milly will be so
too
Il must be certain that no clandestine
| meetings can be possible. and to ensure
that it will be absolutely necessary that
you leave the country for the time
named"
Il Will go to any place you may name"
e 10 america even"' Blair said, his eyes
fixed on the others.
| Even there, if you prefer it. and at
once; though l am hardly prepared for 80
long Journey with the uncertainty of
| oplahinS employment when | get there
| l VIII take care that suitable work IS
Iouhd you on your arrival. A relative of
nline VINO carries on business in New York
MllI no DOUBT be able to find you some
thlng similar to your present position.
And If l can do anything for YOU in fhe
| meantime IN the way of pecuniarv helm
90 not, pray, scruple to make use of
| me-" "
Leslie expressed his deep obligation 10
Blair and the latter went on:
| Ihere is another matter 1 should like
70 mention, Leslie. l think it will be hest
II my daughter does not know thar Vo,1
are going 10 America at my express wish
You may explain your departure in anv
other way you like, and let her under
stand that you will certainly return in a
| a =
with my approval"
The latter suggestion seemed perfect1v
reasonable to Leslie, and he agreed to act
upon it. ~ "c'
MlIy will be surprised when she hears
shat you are going to America said
Blair, and that l have changed nv mind
with respect TO your suit. But" he con-
unued' with dry chuckle, Il shall lead
her to believe that you have lust obtained
| q valuable in No,
sne Will jump at once to the conclusion
| mat the change has been worked in me
owing to the improvement in your pros.
poets"
| Some further conversation ensued. but
as 1t does tlotabear upon the story 1t need
not be set down here, and after seeing
| Mllly for few minutes, and telling her of
his contemplated Journey to America. Les
lie went homeward a happy man, for his
| thoughts were all year ahead, and in
fancy he and the girl he loved were des-
tined to be happy.
CHAPTER III.-BLAIR'S LETTER.
Nine months had slipped away, and
David Leslie felt quite at home in the new
country, where he now sojourned.
Alexander Blair had kept his word. and
| his daughters lover found immediate en-
ployment on his arrival in New York. The
work was not too arduous it was fairly
| well paid, and Leslie was altogether pass
| ing his year of probation very comfortably.
The lovers exchanged greetings once
month, and the letters from Scotland were
quite as warm in their professions of af-
| lection as were those that left America.
AS yet, no evidence of diminishing love
was perceptible on either side, and as each
fresh letter brought him further proof of
| Mildred Blair's fidelity, David Leslie's love
| grew until it seemed to fill and color his
whole existence. How he smiled when
he thought that Alexander Blair had mis-
| taken such affection as his daughter cher
| ished for him-Leslie-for a passing fancy
| that years time would destroy.
The days seemed to pass but slowly to
Leslie for each one was counted by him
| just as the convict counts the days that
| keep him from freedom.
| Another month passed and with the ar
| rival of the mail steamer tomorrow, he
| might expect his monthly letter from
Milly The morrow and the mail steamer
| arrived in due course, but there was no
letter from Scotland.
| 1t was the first time Milly had failed in
| the matter of her correspondence, and
Leslie was cast down by the untoward
occurrence. But he was himself again be-
fore evening, thinking that the next mail
would bring him the desired missive.
But three more days, a week, fortnight
! even, slipped past and no letter came. Les
| lie was now enduring a great suspense,
and the passing of each day added new
| pang to his agony. A thousand excuses
were invented to account for her silence,
| and simultaneously he tortured himself by
| imagining every manner Of iniquitous
| thing.
Was her silence due to illness? Or was
she beginning to tire of him? Or had AL
exander Blair aught to do with the mat
| ter.
STILL, the time drifted on, and at last
Leslie was forced to conclude that Milly
was false to him. Keen as were the tor
! lures he was enduring he would have en-
| dured others a thousandfold greater rath-
er than have stopped to ask for an expla-
nation. His indomitable pride would never
| permit him to break the silence If she did
| not care to speak.
Heart-sick nigh unto death, he bore his
agony as brayely as he could, and at last
| the suspense was ended-the climax
reached-Milly's strange silence explained.
One morning a letter came But what
a letter it was. The envelope was trimmed
| with black, and his heart lept TO his throat
as he recognized that it contained mes
sage of death. But who was dead? Father