The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-27

| ~ he submitted.
Aunt Kitty was paying a visit in Lon
don, and thus he met Rosa once more.
| Regarding her with the disinterested eye
of friendship, George declared that a
sWeeter and brighter maiden could not be
found IN the universe. She showed no en-
barrassment, but a frank pleasure at
meeting him. That early phase of her ex-
istenee was never limited at now, of
course, but the warm confidence of Rosa's
manner proved that she forgot nothing.
Seeing the admiration on one side and the
grateful regard on the other, Aunt Kitty
began to hope that certain projects of hers
might be realized. But George lay under
an evil spell. The good old dame was
tempted TO wish that Rosa would firt a
little, just enough to rouse him.
At the end of six months George flew
back to India, as hot with passion as on
leaving, so he thought. But the influence
| of women like Mrs. Peee is undermined,
| though it be unconsciously, by association
| with an innocent and trusting girl George
began to be dissatisfied with himself be-
| fore he landed, and he rejoined his regi-
ment without taking Drumsala on the
way. But such relations are not easily
| broken unless both parties agree. Mrs.
Peele had the strongest motive for deter
mining that they should never break.
Her husband died, and the crisis came.
| There is no need happily to dwell on these
George did not send an agreement to fulfill
his reiterated promise within fixed date
his letters should be printed and circu-
lated. With that she left India.
Social ruin threatened the young officer
| He wrote TO Mrs Peele's agents-she had
left no personal address-inviting them to
name their own terms for the purchase of
the letters. The answer was final-his
| whole fortune would not be accepted. In
| the bitterness of those days George had
1 laar ,a1a frYttf a Uun q a o.
| ed man henceforth.
| His friend Maitland was going home and
he undertook-not without angry remon-
| strance-to see what could be done" That
formula represses the result of many a
painful conference.
Before hearing from Maitland, however,
| George received startling intelligence.
Aunt Kitty wrote to ask about beautiful
| widow who had taken a little house in the
neighborhood of Tours. She professed to
| know Capt Maynard well-what had he
| to say about her? She had made herself
popular already both with French and
English; but Rosa was not fascinated by
| any means. The name was Peele.
George hurried to the telegraph office:
"She is at Tours. l beg you to go as soon
as possible and tell my aunt everything.
Maitland was a jealous friend; a few hours
after receiving this dispatch he started.
Aunt Kitty lay stretched in her big chair
she was growing feeble.
My dear Rosa, really wish you would
drive over to Mrs. Peele's, if only to show
yourself. All the English are there, you
know. Come just to please me-"
VERY we'll auntie-to please you But
may l finish my sketch irst?'
Certainly, dear! There's plenty of time"
SO Rosa Withdrew to the balcony, singing
to herself as she worked. What with the
the low music and the heat, Miss Nugent
fell asleep.
1 fva 81
Georges old friendl Admit him at once,
Marier
Having a disagreeable duty to perform,
Mai Maitland attacked it after briefest
prelminaries. Almost as soon as seated he
began
Il have come at your nephew's pressing
request madam, to warn you against Mrs.
Peele-heres his telegram"
Rosa was just entering to announce her
self-she drew back unseen, smiling mis-
chievously. What had George to say about
that horrid woman Auntie would never
tell her. But she was dying 60 hear
What kind of revelation the girl expect
ed we need not ask--she never thought
about it; but as Maitland unfolded his tale
her face grew white, her eyes burned. Miss
Nugent was. too distressed to interrupt,
and in a few minutes all was told.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. she quavered.
"Oh, Georgel And why has he sent you
to mpart this shocking story to me, sir?'
THAT l have to guess, dear lady. Your
nephew could not say much in a tel
egram, which scores of people would read.
1t seems likely that he thinks Mrs. Peele
will lay the letters before you in the first
instance, knowing Georges deep regard
for you and trusting that you will urge
him to avoid the scandal at any price"
Rosa waited for no more. Noiselessly she
left the balcony, and sought a shed in the
garden, where carpenters tools were kept.
An hour afterwards she was driving to-
wards Chateau la Pelouse. Her fancy
whirled; a thousand memories swelled up,
iostling and confused. Predominant over
all was the thought, put into words long
ago and never forgotten-if George lay in
peril. how gladly would she resume her
wicked old arts to free himi Such case
had risen. and she would pay her debt
something of i'll But another thought
possessed her now that the time had come
scarcely realized, but dlstractins-sne
must never see him again.
but. whilst Imagination fiuttered thus
hevond control, reason and nerves were
steady She estimated the chances OF sue
cess and the consequences. MAI Malt
lands theory was probable. but II dld not
follow that the woman had the letters
with her now. That was fruitless spec
ulation. however. If she had, then doubt
less they would be kept In her bedroom
but where and how securedy There would
be little time for explorations Rosa had
visited the room more than once. With
an effort che concentrated her thoughts
upon its furniture Surely all was French,
ola. Of country make II there were one
receptacle with an English patent lock,
the letters would be there, safe against
her rude tools. But the woman had no
cause Cor alarm. Such correspondence
makes a bulky packet II would be found
1t must be found--in that ricketty AR
MORE" BY her bed, If there az all.
Rosa's heart beat painfully as she en-
tered the little avenue Of the chateau. It
was a garden party. and the grounds were
thronged. FOR an hour she laughed and
chatted, keeping near the house. There
was no need of an excuse TO enter the
bedroom, since Il served as a cabinet de
toilette" Rosa felt sick with excitement
and shame as she slipped In and turned
the key.
But the GOODNESS OF the sad old times
came back when confronted with such
work--enough OF 70 20 support her Fate
was very kind. The "armoire" opened az
q first attempt, and there, upon the shelf
before her eyes, lay parcel neatly wrap
ped, with open ends. Painting now, Rosa