The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-16

bic disapproyal OF my gay uttle spouse.
II was just asking Mr.. DaFis II his wife
was III, Miss Smethirst volunteered ir
pointed tones. she has quite disappear
ed from the Cathedral"
rs Mrs. Dallas il.?" asked the second
witch-I mean lady-IoO.s,ng hard at me
mot the least"
Il thought not. ] met her running along
the High street just now, and she seemed
in radiant health"
LAS she is thank Cod" put in, quietly
WAS she alone OF with zryoue?"
Miss Strong shot an eagle glance at me
and turned up her mouth as if wild horses
should not drag the smallest scrap of in
formation out Of her To me, to whom Ros-
ey's life and thoughts were as an open
book, this attitude was intensely anus
ing.
Mrs. Dallas was running along in a
great hurry" she replied. ostentatiously
avoiding replying to my question.
on, l see Either by herself or with
someone else" 1 said, laughing outright.
"Ah! here is my wife"
Rosey came up to us, and having spoken
to the two ladies, tucked her hand under
my arm with a wordless greeting which
was evidently extremely disconcertlng TO
the estimable spinsters who had been so
keen to notice her absence from the Cathe-
drai services.
Il saw you in the High street just now, q"
said Rosey 10 Miss Strong.
Yes she admitted.
Il could not help laughing my wife
continued. Il must have looked 50 funny
running along trying to keep up with the
archdeaCOn, he so tail and / such a dot. "
Il wonder he did not accommodate his
pace to yours, said Miss Strong, with a
pointed emphasis which showed me all too
plainly that she thought Rosey had no
business to be going anywhere with the
archdeacon.
'-Ah, but he had train to catch, and
as he had something most important to
tell me, I had to put my pride in my peck
ct and run along with him. returned
Rosey, laughing again. Well, goodbye!
Nice day, isn't ~"
We parted then, and as Rosey and
walked home across the Chantry Garden,
she said, with wise air:
There's not much love lost between
those two old cats and me, Joe. 1 believe
they thought 1 was going to elope with
the archdeacon."
Something of the kind, doubtless"
so likely" she remarked in her driest
tones. "As If he would look at me, with
his head and heart and soul filed with
another woman"
"Stinr'I calculated.
Joe" she said, as we reached the door
of my study which opened straight off the
Chantry Garden, Joe give me a cup of
tea, for am athirst and furnishing; and
then viii tell you a story-a long story
a sad story-a lone story that has seemed
TO have had two endngs."
/ opened the door with my latch-key, and
let her pass In. The fire in the huge old
fashioned CRATE was burning brightly. our
own easy chairs were drawn invitingly
near to the bearskin rug, the tea was set
ready upon the little table near Rosey's
chair, and the kettle was kissing on the
hob. Vincent came in as we did, carrying
a teapot and a covered plate.
is the tea drawn, Vincent" Rosey ask
ed
Eyes, maam, l made it five minutes
ago. Vincent replied.
Hosey heaved a sigh of relief as Vincent
closed the door behind her.
l am so hungry" she exclaimed. "Ah,
thank you, dear old boy" she added as
began to pour out the tea. Il declare my
hands are frozen. Joe, I've promised and
vowed a good many things in your name
this afternoon. l hope you won't be flu
rious with me-
Have your tea before you disclose the
horrible facts" 1 suggested.
Good adviee-I win"
But she could not keep off the subject
then uppermost in her mind.
Joe she sad. after a minute or two,
and looking at me doubtfully, 1--WE been
keeping a secret from you all these days"
Il know, little woman. l didn't mind.
You had reason for 1t, I'm sure"
''Oh, 1t wasn't a you and me secret"
she retorted, quickly holding out her
hand that l might take 1t. Joe, you re-
member the Rollestons? He is dead"
George Roleston-at least John Bron-
son? or was 1t Dick Bronson?"
Richard Harvey was his own name"
she replied. Yes, he is dead"
did ne die in his bed?" l asked blunt
ly. for Richard Harvey, alias John Bron-
son, alias the Rev. George Rolleston, had
left Northtowers about three years before
under a very decided cloud, having taken
the Tower House, just across the Close,
in the character of a clergyman of large
means and without cure; after which he
left Northtowers in the character of John
Bronson. a noted forger and in charge Of
the police. Millicent Rolleston, his wife.
had passed as his daughter under COM
pulsion, as we knew afterwards, and had
drfted away out of our sight, broken
hearted woman, though little more than
a girl in years
''He died In prison. said my wife grave
ly. You forget, Joe, his term was four
teen years. which means eight at the very
best"
But he might have been killed In try
ing to escape" explained.
"He was not. On the contrary, he was
an exemplary prisoner, quiet, respectful,
regular, patient and most attentive to the
minstrations of the chaplain. He died Of
gastric fever six months ago"
''Wel?" l asked, for l knew the story
was yet to come.
''You remember the other day when 1
came in here crying?"
"Of course"
II had just seen her"
"Milbcent Rolleston?"
'Millicent Harvey. That afternoon. Joe
was just starting to go to evensong
when 1 received a note written in pencil
saying, DO you remember Millicent? 1
am here alone and in great trouble; will
you of your charity come to me-? OF
course did so. 1 found her in mean
little lodging in Queen Elizabeth street. i'll
worn to a shadow, and covered with
bruises from head to foot"
WHAT"
'Yes-her poor face all down by the
jaw was green and blue; her arms-you
never saw such a fright Joel couldn't
help crying over her. even when / got
back here again. My poor pretty dainty
girl-it was pitiful." .
We'll, and then? And tell me how this