The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-03

totA4b WiliCn could contain so vast a store
of relics as you describe
quite so. There is no mystery about
that. l have discovered a new cata-
comb"
"Where?"
An, that is my secret, my dear Ken
nedy. Suffice it that it is so situated that
there is not one chance in a million Of
anyone else coming upon it. Its date is
dh4erent from that of any known cata-
comb and it has been reserved for the
Duflal OF the highest Christians so that
the remains and the relics are quite differ
eht from anything which has ever been
seen before. If l was not aware of your
knowledge and Of your energy, my friend,
l would not hesitate. under the pledge of
secrecy, TO tell you everything about it.
But as 1t is / think that ! must certainly
prepare my own report of the matter be-
lore l expose myself to such formidable
competition d"
Kennedy loved his subject with love
which was almost a mania--a love which
held him true to it, amidst all the dis
uaclIons which come to a wealthy and
dlsslpated young man. He had ambition,
nut MS ambition was secondary to his
mere abstract joy and interest in every
thihS which concerned the old life and
history OF the city. He yearned to see
IN, IN, new a., underworld which his eompan-
N-NNAe lANiNf burger Ediu ne earnestly
Il assure you that you can trust me most
implicitly in this matter Nothing would
lnduce me to put pen and paper about any
thlng which ! see until / have your ex-
press permission. l quite understand your
Ieellng and think it is most natural but
you have really nothing whatever to fear
from me. On the other hand if you don't
tell me l shall make a systematic search.
ana | SHAH most certainly discover it. In
that case, of course, l should make what
use liked of it, since l should be under
no obligation to you"
Burger smiled thoughtfully over his CT
gar.
II have noticed. friend Kennedy" said
he' that when I want nformatio over
any point you are not always so ready to
supply it,"
When did you ever ask me anything
that | did not tell you? You remember.
for example, my giving you the material
Tor your paper about the temples of the
Vestals."
"Ah, WELL that was not a matter of
much importance. If l were to question
you upon some intimate thing would you
give me an answer, 1 wonder! This new
catacomb is very intimate thing to me,
ana should certainly expect some sign
OF confidence in return"
What you are driving at 1 cannot
imagine said the Englishman but if
you mean that you will answer my ques-
Ton about the catacombs if 1 answer any
question which you may put to me, / can
assure you that 1 will certainly do So"
Well then" said Burger, leaning lux
uriousy back in his settee, and putting a
blue tree of cigar smoke into the air. tell
me all about your relations with Miss
Mary Saunderson."
Kennedy sprang up in his chair and
Slared angrily at his impassive companion
w hat the devil do you mean?" he cried
Nv nat sort of a question is this? You
mean 1t as a joke, but you never made a
worse one"
mo, I don't mean it as a Joke" said
Burger, simply, II am really rather inter
~ ested in the details of the, matter.
don't know much about the world and wo-
men and social life and that sort of
thing, and such an incident has the fas-
clnation of the unknown for me- | know
you and / know her by sight-I had even
spoken to her once or twice. l should
very much like to hear from your own lips
exactly what it was which occurred be-
tween you"
won't tell you a word"
Ihats all right 1t was only my whim
TO see If you would give up a secret as
easily as you expected me to give up NV
secret OF the new catacomb You wouIdn'f
ana didn't expect you to. But why should
you expect otherwise of me There's Saint
that l was going home"
no, wait a bit, Burger" said Kennedy:
this Is really a ridiculous caprice Of
yours TO wish to know about an old love
AFFAIR which has burned out months ago
You Know we look upon man who kisses
anu teus as the greatest coward and viii
lain possible"
Certainly" said the German, gathering
up his basket of curiosities. ''vvben he
tells anything about a girl which is nre-
viously unknown he must be so. But in
TINS case, as you must be aware. il was
a public matter which was the common
talk OF Rome, so that you are not really
doing Miss Mary Saunderson any injury
by discussing her case with me. But still
night"
Wait bit, Burger" said Kennedy
laying his hand upon the others arm. IT
am very keen upon this catacomb busi
ness, and can't let it drop suite so easily
would you mind asking me something else
IN feturn-something not quite so eccen-
tric this timer
No, no you have refused. and there is
an end of it," said Burger. with his basket
on his arm. mo doubt Won are o1iite
right not to answer and no doubt I am
quite right also-and so again, nv dear
Kennedy. good nightr'
The Englishman watched Burger cross
the room, and he had his hand on the han
die of the door before his host spranp I'm
with the air of man who is making the
best of that which cannot be helped
Hold 'on, old fellow" said he 81 tbinl,
You are behaving in a most ridiculous
fashion but still, if this is your condition
l suppose that l must admit to il. haze
saying anything about a girl. but. as Won
say, 1t is all over Rome and l don't sun
pose can tell you anything which Won a
not know already. What was it YOU
wanted to know?'
The German came back to the stove
and, laying down his basket he sanl into
his chair once more.
May / have another cigar?'' said ha
Thanks you very muchl 1 never smoke
when l work, but l enjoy chat mncb
more when l am under the influence of
tobacco. Now, as regards this .voune
lady, with whom you had this little adven9
ture. What in the world has become Of
her?'' "a
She is at home with her own people. {"
"Oh, really, In England?"
YES"
What part of England, London?"
mo, Twickenham"
you must excuse my curiosity. nv dear
Kennedy and you must put it down 10