The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-02
A Cruel DILEMMA.
By Constance Smith.
"Ihe Backshd% "Fhe Repentance
Cumberer of the

QlSDOSal interest
the two 5000"
Il shall never change my mind on that
subject, Mr.. Trevennick."
1 don't believe you will" said the law
yer to himself, taking note, for the first
: time, OF the firm line Agnes Vansittart's
pretty lips made with one another in re-
pose. Strange! 1 should never have i'm
aglned there was so much grit in her:
hands,, .
L have the honor to wish you good
morning" he added aloud, as he bowed
hinseif out with old-fashioned courtesy.
Il told Mr.. Trevennick of our engage
ment, Julian" So Agnes Vansittart in
formed her lover an hour later.
what made you do that?" the young
man responded, sharply, almost irrtably,
annoyance clouding his face-a singularlv
handsome face, oval-shaped with delicate
clear-cut features, a powerful brow, and
weak mouth-as he spoke. 81 thought
next week?"
Il know, dear. And, indeed, I've not
oreathed word to anybody else. Only it
seemed almost due to Mr.. Trevennick.
Ihat was not the real reason of nv
speaking, though" with a sudden burst
OF candor, looking up at his averted cheek
with something like an ecstacy of tender
| L
SO happy-and it's the first time in my
nfe-l had to tell somebody-and l knew
Mr. Trevennick could be trusted not to
talk"
Julian Adye turned round with what
sounded like a smothered groan
MY poor Agnes" he muttered, and
snatched her to him passionately.
But when he released her a. minute later.
the cloud of gloom had not lifted itself
from his young face. Rather, it had
grown deeper and more settled.
Wen" he said, getting up from the
SOFA, where they had both been sitting,
and walking slowly to the window. How
did Trevennick take your news?"
Very quietly. He was quite-kiud"
L needn't ask whether he approved
your choice know he doesn't like me. -
Agnes utter neprecatory OH Then
added, He evidently thought you younger
than you really are. So I told him your
real age-and that you would positively
take your degree in few days time"
THAT was rather RASH" Adye returned
in voice that had grown hoarse all at
| once
How rash?
Because it's more than likely that shall
never take degree at ALL
"Julianr'
Don't say Julian in that tone
swinging round suddenly-"as if you
ing you the plain truth. Unless a miracle
in the shape of a thousand-pound bank
note falling from the skies at my feet
takes place before the end of the week,
1 can't take my degree"
"But-how?"
He crossed the room and stood before
| her-very white, with quivering lips, but
no longer trying to avoid her eyes.
$Dont you remember my telling you.
that day in Amberley woods"-she nodded
what a bad business made of my first
| two years at the varsity? Cards, billiards.
Newmarket-the wretched old story. be-
haved like fool, and worse But never
| after knew you, Agnes! You believe that.
| don't you, dear?'
She held out small shaking hand Il
believe everything you tell me, Julian.
| l."
Don't be kind to met he cried boy
ishly, backing away from the proffered
hand. mot just now. It-cuts so horribly.
Wei, from the day I fist met you I tried
to do better l gave up those follies; /
| began to work in earnest. You know l
did work to some purpose"
His voice, with its appealing note, its
| suggestion of tears close at hand, was
pathetically youthful.
Il know darling, l know. I'm so proud. .
but the consequences of those two first
years remained / was in debt-up to my
ears. II was a case OF DOfTOWlng-Or COM
ing down. l had no security to offer a
money-lender-no relations or friends be-
hind me. l was at my wits end when a
man, a fellow in this neghborhood whom
l knew slightly, offered to lend me twelve
hundred. l took his offer. I wish I'd cut
my throat first"
It don't see"
How should you? He has suddenly de-
handed his principal. I've always paid him
the interest regularly, but the principal 1
can't pay at present, as you know. once.
] get mastership can wipe the loan Off
gradually, by observation-disclosures what
always hoped to do. l told him this; l
begged him, like the man in the parable"
with a dreary smile-"to have patience
with me- and he won't"
"And that means"
THAT unless he gets his twelve hundred
in full by the end of the week he'll inter
fere to prevent my proceeding to my de-
gree. And that means"
what, Julian?"
THE end Of all things The ruin of my
career, the loss of you, Agnes Don't look
like that, Agnes" He threw himself on his
knees beside her.
She took his miserable face between her
hands. and stopping down put her lips ten
derby to his.
mot the loss Of me-" said She II would
marry you just the same. Julian"
10 you tHllk NOuiA marry you uINtI
such circumstances" he cried. indignant
~ ITO bring disgrace upon you-to be a
pensloner on your bounty, and live on old
Vansittart's money! No, no, Agnes! There
are some things a man can't do for a wo-
man, however much he loves her. Unless
can find a way out OF this
"A way must be found." She spoke With
sudden decision. perhaps / can find Il. Is
this creditor Of yours poor man, Ju-
lian2"
'No-very well Off. Made heaps OF money
IN South Africa some years ago. You
know him. / thiuk-Bruce Johnson"
Bruce Johnson" Mrs. Vansittart turn
ed very pale. rs he the man? Yes. / know
him.
And to herself she added; 1T was only
last Monday that lis this merely a coin
cidenee, or something more?"
81 am sorry" Bruce johnson said. quiet
ly that my demand should have been
made at such an inconvenlent moment ..
He leaned back IN his handsome writing
chair IN his handsomely furnished library
"a well-looklng. well-mannered, we'll
dressed man OF 40. a slight smile crossing
his thin. clean-shavcn lips, his hard, light
t.4fa ..t.a aauufIaFfuw rrrayalN fha peHa