The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-11
As many hundreds"

AS many hundreds"
(which means what YOU call shortcom-
mons, Ell, understanding little bills that
you find 1t difficult to pay; for a girl 1t
means making her own dr. sses for a man
TO smoke second-rate cigars and drink or
binary sherry"
Yes, indeed" said old Weldon.
Father, have the Weldons ever done
anything d4shonorable?"
No, my lad we've always paid our
way; one of our ancestors was a foremost
man in the East India Company"
THE major has fought our battles, he
says; but we have paid the piper, Ell?
mean we who pay taxes and duties on tea
and the like"
Yes; why, you're quite a politician,
| George"
NAY, father. 1 don't know about that;
but mean to marry Miss Ella Denning;
and am going to tell the major so-that
Is if l get her consent to ask for her
hand"
''And a good thing for the major" said
old Denning. And can settle a thousand
year on his daughter, and | believe there
is nothing to prevent gentleman in the
army from going over to China once in a
way TO look after the shipment of teas
for house that is about to extend its
business.
What house?" asked George.
''The house of Weldon & Son"
Now, mother, give me your blessing;
wish me good luck. I'm going to get this
business over; If I don't l shall be a
candidate for the lunadc asylum"
"Since you are resolved, George, God
bless you, and good luck go with you'll 1
will say this, that the majors daughter
is the sweetest, the prettiest and l am
sure the best girl in all Cheltenham-and
for you, George, 1 can truly say you are
worthy of her"
"Oh, no." said George, mot a bit of it;
but will be-yes, by Jupiter, l will beT'
CHAPTER IV-WHAT CARE OF IT.
George knocked boldly at the front door
of the little villa. Ella was just going
out; so she apparently answered the door
herself.
Good morning Miss Denning" said
| George, you were going out?
She looked lovely in her white chip bon
net and pretty morning dress.
Yes" she said, a good deal confused.
| rs your father at homer"
Eyes"
Can I have word with you alone-be-
| fore | speak with him?"
'He is dressing; pray come in"
! She led the way into a small drawing
room, bright with engravings and per-
fumed with two large vase of flowers.
MY dear Miss Denning, l find il impos-
! sible to live without seeing you; l have
watched and waited l am in despair; 1
| my feelings; l want to ask you ques-
| tion-a very serious one. Fathers of
daughters whom they love think much of
| their worldly prospects, rightly-I love
| you; know l am not worthy of you; but
l will try to be. l am worth 5000 year,
one day may have ten can settle a
| thousand a year upon YOU and if you like,
I have no doubt l can get into parlia-
| ment; / should prefer a quiet life, with
| gardens and flowers, and pleasant time;
| and l would die for you a thousand
| deaths-may I speak 10 your father?'
George fred all this off with hardly
pause. He was very hot, but stood firm
| as a rock while he spoke. Ella leaning
against the table, her eyes cast down, and
hardly able to realize what was happen
ing.
You have surprised me, it is so sud
den," she said when she could speak; II
had not expected that"
No, nor T." said George. IF you had
continued to come and talk if had seen
you-you were not even at church on Sun
day. might not have spoken, heaven
knows. But not to see you"
Il don't know what to say to YOU" she
answered. Il feel complimented, but"
Don't say, but" / loXe you, my life is
yours, my name is without a stain
Il am sure of it." she said, but my
father is prejudiced."
Il will risk that" said George, ap-
preaching her and taking her hand
you see, we have never met in society,"
she said; but she did not withdraw her
hand
But we will; there IS nothing 1 cannot
achieve for your sake"
II know, l know" she said, but do you
think the time is quite ripe for you to
speak to my father?"
"Yes," he said, his face beaming with
delight and he pressed the little gloved
hand TO his lips. God bless you!"
At that moment the major entered the
room.
Father, this is Mr.. George Weldon. He
desires to speak with you. will leave you
together
She was very pale as she looked from
one to the other and withdrew, George at
tending her to the door with the quiet
courteous manners of the highest social
breeding. Some men are born gentlemen.
George was one OF natures noblemen.
Good CAD, sir, said the major, draw
ing himself up to his full hight and nearly
bursting his trouser straps, what does
all this mean, sir?
Il have called, Mai. Denning, to ask
you a serious question"
Every well, sir, be seated, / am all at
tention."
you know China, believer"
Il do" said the major, taken aback,
for he knew his man, and had made up
his mind about the business upon which
he had called.
TT Is not incompatible, I believe, with
the duties Of a retired officer OF her mai
esty's army to take an interest in COM
mercial veIitures?"
81 believe not SIR
you were a director Of"
by CAD. sir / will not be cross exam
lned in this way; | wish 20 forget the dl-
rectorship of that internal business alto
gether. / was duped."
Il know 1t, major: know with what
strict integrity you performed your duties
and It is with that knowledge that / am
here to offer you a position OF trust that
am sure will interest you at least"
"Name 1t, sir"
"A merchant of position. whose ances-
tor was a member of the famous historic
East India company. desires to secure the
services Of an officer and a gentleman
who knows China. 10 make a trip TO Can
ton and the adjacent district once a year
with a view to experimenting the proper
shipment Of certain cargoes OF teas. The
duties are light: integrity and high poai-