The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-08

is genius, I tell you, and it is painted by
"Allons, monsieur" said the .gendlaarme
briefly, at the same time giving him a
gentle push to clear the way.
Reuben sprang to his side and saved
his father from failing.
Old Co. was evidently weak from age
and over-excitement. He accepted the
support and allowed himself to be drag
ged away. Once out in the open air some
of his former strength and asperity re-
Il can walk, he muttered, withdrawing
his arm. You will get nothing by dog
me Go your ways and leave me to mine"
mo no." said Reuben, firmly. 81 am
your son. Look at me as you aid at my
ognize some feature of the lad you acted
so cruelty towards thst-that evening long
agc?"
age his voice fatered at the allusion, but
he was surprised to see how his father
covered before him, and trembled as if
with guilt
torment income back with your moth
er's face and eyes. Can you not leave me
to die in peace?" cried the old man, al
most piteously.
"Where have you been all these years
We sought for you, and then concluded
you We're dead" Reuben interrupted, with
a mixture of wonder and pity as he stood
looking down at the strange figure.
Been? What does it matter where
have been?
The old harsh suspicious tone returned.
Father" cried the young man, with all
his former impetuosity, you need hide
no longer. l am a successful artist, and
shall be rich. l will pay the fifteen thou
sand pounds for the lost Madonna"
A look of crafty calculation came upon
Isaac Cohens venerable, sensitive coun-
tenance.
than that now" he said, shaking his head.
well, heaven knows I will toll all my
life to pay for 1t, even If it ras risen to
the hopeless amount of national debt,
exclaimed his son. Anything rather than
leave a stain resting on my fathers hon
or"
he spoke He still possessed a good deal
of the beauty which had distinguished
him in early youth, though some of its
strength of manhood, and Old Co. shud-
isdered in his presence as in that of arch
angel sent to sum up the pettiness of his
Come with me-" he whispered, 81 have
something to tell you, but not here-not
here
Reuben followed him in silence. won
They left the wide, handsome streets
and crowded boulevards, where TWO or
three acquaintances stared TO see the
| painter so bent on pursuing what looked
like an ordinary professional model, with
hooked nose and white beard Tor attrac-
]
anyone would have imagined possible
from his aged appearance, and reuben
stepped briskly' fearful at every moment
| that he would vanish from sight in the
| dingy purlieus they had now entered. 1t
was dusk almost dark, in those narrow
ways, which seemed sitting to one unac-
customed to their atmosphere, AT an
other time Reuben's eye might have FOUND
picturesque details to arrest 1t in this ola
forgotten part of the great city, but as
he hurried on after the shadowy ngure
forever fitting in front OF. him, ne was
only conscious of vague uneaslneSs, ana
/ that far away above the houses the young
Nav moon was sending silver shafts or
/ light upon the squalor through which
they threaded their way.
that his son had done his bidding, for
he had peremptorily desired him to keep
a certain distance behind. He nodded
his head toward a delipidated building,
and in another moment 1t seemed TO nave
swallowed him in the caVernouS Jaws or
/ what had once been an imposing entrance
but what now yawned ike the toothleSs
mouth of some huge monster. Reuben
shuddered as he plunged after him, for
his nervous, fanciful temperament made
stumbled as best he could up the filthy
stairway led by the sound of his father 5
shuff1ing activity for Isaac Cohen seemed
gifted with the instinct of some noe
turnal animal.
younger man. All the light-hearted joy
of his existence had vanished, and when
at last he stood within the sordid hiding
place his father had chosen for himself,
Rueben shrank back appalled, at the mis-
cry ii revealed.
"Ahr' he exclaimed, land 1 have been
living in luxury all this time.
You are a great painter, murmured
| the old man, as he turned up small