Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-04-29
CHAPTER yI-CoNr,N,,rp

NHhI EN- Nl.-SONTlNUED.
MY tongue, as usual, had outstripped
my hating brain. / was still in my
salad days aud novice in the art OF
dialogue.
81 suppose" said Gerard, carelessly,
that you have fallen in love with
Nancy"
The question took me so completely
by surprise that my stupid face flushed
scarlet. l began to realize that this
man, whose bodily presence was so con-
temptible, was, conversationally speak
ing. dandling me in his arms.
II don't blame you," continued Ge-
rard, in his most matter-of-fact tones.
"She is pretty girl and very intelli-
gent. 1t would interest me to know
whether-er-she-"
"No; she doesn't"
THANK you. like TO be posted. No
no; don't frown. | dare swear that
she will say yes, and you may live to
wish it had been no."
lie had dropped his tone of banter and
spoke gloomily, in sour, raucous &C.
cents. This man had achieved much
that the world prizes. His keen brain
and extraordinary acumen had borne
him triumphant upon the top wave of
success. Now that he had brought his
heavily-freighted vessel into safe har-
borage, he had leisure to read the log
and estimate the wear and tear.
watched him as he leaned back YEARLY
against the well-padded cushions OF
the buggy and made n small calcula.
ton. Divide wealth. as many millions
rs you please, by health, subtract time,
and what is left? Answer, the man be-
side me, haggard, wizened, prematurely
gray.
So, after all, he had seen the COM
plication of my falling in love with
Nancy-had counted the probability as
gain, an extra rivet to bind me to his
service. What puppet had been!
I'm sorry the boy is from home, '
he muttered. 81 should have enjoyed
seeing him. Demetrius is overcautious
"a fault on the right side"
lie asked me innnmerable questions
about the lad, displaying his talent for
cross-examination and with it his re-
markabe love for his son. Mrs. Gerard
II appeared, had been kind enough to
give me more credit than l deserved
and her husband expressed his appreci-
alton of my efforts in a characteristic
fashion.
"You arc not giving me value re-
ceiyed," he said, brusquely, but you've
done all / asked, and more
wondered whether Mrs. Gerard in
her letters had mentioned my eXcur'
sion into Cupid's domain, and answered
the question in the negative.
"Tm generous man." Gerard con-
+,nued. with that curious infection in
his voice which Ihad remarked when ne
had pressed upon me his rarest wines;
"ond nv stepdaughter--you have found
ont. of course, that she is my step
laugh ter-will be handsomely dow
rod dare say shall give her pic
.ure or two--that Constable perhaps
if"
"If-" / repeated.
az she marries the right fellow"
what asked myself, did he meanf
That there was meaning behind every
,rord he spoke / could no longer doubt
Whv did he remind me of a spider
W. bumiliating reflection - did
compare myself to fly? These ques'
t,ana were adequately answered later
our talk for the present was over. Ihe
lights Of the house we're in sight. ln'
ss.,;l;or roar of the surf became louder
"a ,ouder. and the dogs, brace OF
~ bloodhounds, bayed melodi'
ously. -, :, cud sbor,,,,
"By Jupiter!" said Gerard sharply
o.hot Is the voice of Demetrius.'
strained my ears in vain, but large
e1rro loomed suddenly in the fore
ground. no.,;,s 81 INV compan
ion shouted. snonso
ut is l." ir+ort;or
:, Eating his business in my presence
II me assisted his master to descend IRON
ne ne high buggy and followed him re
snectfully into the house remaine'
ptth The horses and helped the coach
Van lap Byers, an excellent fellow, Z
mrbitch them-and his tongue III
chartered volubly'