The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-10
GREATER LOVE HATH NO man.
BY ADELINE SERGEANT,

. Jacobs wife," 'under False Preten-
Mystery" &C., &C.
arms. He had not stirred so much for
many days.
'Jim!" he said hoarsely. Jim! my boy!
my boy!"
The bearded mans arms were round the
gaunt white figure in moment; the old
grey head dropped on the broad shoulder
like child's. The nurse approached with
a restorative. but Matthew waved her off;
his sons presence was cordial enough for
him.
"Oh, father, never thought to find you
here" said James Hornblower.
ITS all right. my son; I'm quite COM
Portable here. I've been foolish, no doubt
-improvident for my old age. But it's
nearly over now. 1 shall die happy now
I've seen thee again.
you're not going to die at ALL" said
James, doggedly. You're coming out of
this place this very afternoon. I'd like to
know how this came about, without my
hearing"
ITS no matter, Jim. The bitterness is
past
You said you were well-to-do, and had
retired from business" said the son, in an
accusing tone.
do"
But what are your friends about to let
you come here? Why didn't they write to
me?"
"Friends?" He echoed the word as if it
had an unaccustomed sound to him
''There were hosts of EN- when I was al
home,' said James. There was old Shi-
Tito, the minister; you were hand and
glove with him, you know. Why didn't he
write? If I'D known for a moment that
you were in need of anything, do you
think 1 wouldn't have sent a big cheque?"
81 know you care for your old father,
Jim There was a wonderful pathos in
the old mans tone.
II should rather think so. It's a reflect
ion on me not to have let me know how
things were going. It's a disgrace to me.
I shall tell old Shillito my mind when /
see him."
mo, lad, no. Don't speak to Mr. Shil-
Tito about it. He did not know your ad
Dress
He could have asked you for it, And
there was Driffield the other deacon;
what was he about?'
Matthew Hornblower seemed to have
some difficulty in replying; and it was in
reluctant voice that he forced out the
words
IT amt friends with him now, Jim. I've
changed. I'm not even church mem
ber."
"Eh, that's a queer start said Jim.
Its recent, isn't 1t? You wrote me only
two months ago that you had charge of
the Sunday school, and were head deacon,
and 1 don't know what"
80 l was, Jim, so 1 was. But it was
sometime ago. Don't talk about it, I'M
less you want to distress me, boy. 1 am
| too old now-too old-for any work"
1t was a subterfuge, and he knew it.
But how could he tell his son that he had
been deposed in disgrace from the offices
that he used to hold? Jim stared for a
moment, and sat silent. He was much
| overwhelmed at the present state of things
and very angry to think that he had been
kept in ignorance. And he was puzzled
by the change in his father and the abb
| sence of ali his former friends.
In the days when James Hornblower
was an idle, shiftless lad his father had
been a stern man, rigid in discipline. and
strict beyond measure in his religious
| views. Behind the iron exterior, however
! there lay warmth of affection which the
scapegrace had had the wit to discover
and the heart to appreciate. He had be-
haved badly enough before he broke the
bonds that held him to his home and
flown to Australia, but in the bush he had
repented him of his misdeeds, and remem-
bered the love that had been silently law
ished upon him. He came to return it
now.
He laid his father back upon the pillow,
and put his mouth close to the old man s
| ear.
Rather" he said, in a softer voice. and
| with some hesitation, 'you-you got the
money all right?"
The old man smiled a little; a singular
brightness came into his eyes.
Yes, Jim, yes. l got the money all
right. Don't trouble yourself about that"
1T was fifty pounds, and the interest.
never spoke of 1t in a letter. / could't,
somehow, although l sent it back; but 1
I La
hear you say, dad that you forgive me-"
Eyes, Jim, my boy. And God bless
you
That's all right, then. I'm glad to have
! said it-after all these years. Father. 1
quite thought you could afford it. l hope
it wasn't that loss which helped to cripple
| you?"
ut was all right, jim; you paid it
hack"
Jim drew long breath. Something in
| his fathers manner had made him more
ashamed than he had ever thought to be-
The nurse interposed. Mr.. Hornblower
must not be disturbed or excited any
more, she said. So Jim went forth to find
| the authorities of the place, and to ar
range in his imperious way for his fathers
! immediate removal to the best inn of the
place He passed Driffield's office, and
| longed to go in and speak his mind" to
| the man who could not save an old friend
| from the WOThnOuS65 Dui ne put VIC visit
off to another day, because he was so
busy And it was fortunate that he did
| He came back to the workhouse later in
! the evening. lie was informed that Mr..
| Hornblower had sent for the minister.
| Jim wondered why. He supposed that 1t
was to tell him that his son had at last re-
| turned.
His face relaxed into grim smile, as he
stole into the ward. A screen had been
! placed at the foot of the bed, out of re-
| spect to James Hornblower's respectable
! ity rather than for any need of shelter.
He had no qualm about listening he ex-
pected to hear paean OF exultation from
| his fathers lips, and congratulatng
speeches from those of Mr.. Shillito. He
had known Mr.. Shillito and liked him In
! the days OF old
He listened. Gradually the smile Tor
| sock his lips.
What was the minister saying? And
why those warning tones?
Il fear, Mr. Hombower," he said, that
| YOUR request savours of carnal pride, and
a desire 20 escape from the penalty which
| God doth always exact for sin"