The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-18


down here again. But what's the matter?
You look rather queer"
I'm not very WELL" replied Esther.
quietly. "Sit down. I want to talk to
you"
He made another movement to catch
her in his arms, but she held up her hands
as II to avert a blow and shrank away,
looking as white as death.
Little prude," he murmured, sinking
into the arm chair. "Wel, you'll soon
be my wife, and Wen change all that.
May 1 smoke a cigarette?''
He suited the action to the word, and
began to smoke. Then, as he did so, he
caugt another glimpse of her face, and
was startled by his expression.
Good God" he exclaimed, why do you
look like that? Is anything the matter?
Is anybody dead?'
She looked at him steadfastly through
her spectacles, and, though her poor eyes
were dim, her voice scarcely faltered as
she said:
yes. some one is dead. The man I low
ed, the man I was to have married.
know now that he never cared for me,
and that all he wanted was to rob me of
the little possessed"
1t was his turn now to grow white and
fearful He guessed the truth at once,
and sat shrinking and trembling as she
told him what she knew.
rs 1t true?" she demanded finally.
did you forge my name and take that
money!"
He tried to defend himself, but his man
ner of so doing was full Of confession. He
sought to justify his conduct, he told her
that his extremity had been great. that
in his desperation and shame
She interrupted him.
=
would have given you all I had. You pre-
ferred to deceive me, to lie to me-
thought you man Of honor, find you no
better than a common thefP'
He sprang up, crying and protesting He
appealed to her and tried again to take
her In his arms. He swore that he had
always loved her truly, and would make
amends She listened quietly, but her
face remained gray and stern.
DO not let us talk of It," she said, "I
prefer to speak of yourself. If you viii
tell me frankly about your affairs I will
see If can help you"
Encouraged by her deliberate manner,
he told her that he had lost large sums
in betting and that if he had not Sc
cured that money he would have been
utterly disgraced. He meant after they
had married to leave England and to take
her with him; he would turn over new
lear ne WOul0 SldII tilt WOTl1 dIIGSn. ne
would prove his repentance and his devo-
ton If she would only forgive him.
"If I refuse to pay that money!" she
demanded, what then?"
Why then. of course, disgrace prosecu-
ton, ruin, he explained with the tears
streaming down his face. Then he fell az
her feet, chung to her dress, and implored
her to take pity on him.
Listen to me-" said the girl. you
the bank, and shall be paidr Then. as
he gasped his thanks she added. There IS
nearly five hundred pounds more I will
give you half that sum, but I must keep
the rest!'
"My God, how good you are?' he sob
bed.
She turned from him trembling and 60
ing TO a small bureau near the window of
the room sat down, drew out from "a draw
er a small cheque book, and began TO
write. He rose to his feet watching her
fearfully
How her hand trembledl How the heart
sank within her! But she filed up the
cheque and returned to him holding It In
her hand.
II will give you this money" she said.
"if you swear to leave England as YOU
intended, and never let me see your face
again."
again ne SODDeu anu appealed 10 ngr,
avowing his penitence and devotion. She
listened to him YEARLY, and then placing
the cheque in his hand, said:
1T is late and ! am very tired. Please
goW
Esther he cried, MY own darling
little Esther! You don't mean you can
not mean, that It's all over between us?
1 love you'll do, 1 do-and II you'l marry
me, I'll prove It. Forgive, forgiven
She pushed him gently from her say
ing:
II forgive you. but shall never marry
you. ] could never marry a man whom
! did not honor and respect Don't think
I'm hardi I'm only sick and sorry!
shall always be glad TO hear Of your wei
fare-to know, above all, that you have
become an honest mann
lie saw thar words were useless-and
indeed. be w8s awed and stupefcd by her
calm determination. Full OF shame ara
contrltion he ieapt towards her, and said.
"Good-by. tbeni You've been awfuEy