The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-30

Jonas FameS cursed and Missed alter
nately as he rubbed the horse down. Vie
was in the vilest of tempers. IL the ami
NAL had not shown signs of blood winch
inspired a certain respect Jonas wound
have taken delight in kicking it with his
heavy, wooden-soled boots. lie haa
lounged late into the Blue Dragon ana
found that an unexpected traveller had ar
rived and that his horse was waiting to
he groomed and stabbed. This of itself
would not have disturbed his equanim'ty'
but Mrs. Settle. the hostess, had greeted
him, on his appearance, with such tor
pado of abuse as 10 cause even his mean
blood to boil. Now Mrs. Settle was noted
as a shrew for miles around. ara LOT
miles around Jonas Games was known 70
he one of the most worthless loafers IN
the three Kingdoms So when Mrs. settle
rated her stableman, the maids of the inn
kept out of earshot
In the midst of his work Jonas looked
M and saw his mistress standing IN the
doorway of the stable The light OF the
lantern slung on the rack fell on her
coarse hard features and her stout ana
somewhat slatternly figure.
"Oh. you're here again, are you?' said
Jonas.
Eyes. I'm here again." retorted Mrs.
Settle in a shrln voice. And III Keep
on coming until see that the gentleman
horse is properly stabbed. And what's
more. If YOU don't like the job you can
leave it. I can get a score Of properer
men than you in Turrell any day
You wouldn't get another man to
work for the wages you give me-
mo. it isn't likely" cried Mrs Settle
with fine scorn mo one but you is low
enough to take it, you loafng, drunken
good -for-naught Every one knows 1t is
only out of charity that I keep you. If
you had the spirit Of a louise you wouldn't
be living on charity in the house where
you once were master"
Leave that alonew growled the man.
ooh. indeedr' said Mrs. Settle, con-
tempestuously. "And who are you to tell
me what TO say and what to leave alone?
Go on with your work and don't stand
gaping at me like a drunken pig.
He obeyed, with an evil glance, and the
hostess moved slowly away.
"I'll cut her throat one of these days, II
SWING for it," he muttered to himself.
He was lean. foxy-faced man, with
shock of unkempt red hair, and sharp, ig-
noble features. His back was covered
with the remains of coarse shirt, and
the greater rents in his breeches were
drawn together with Irvine. Both gar
anents were discolored with the daily soil
of several years. A sorry spectacle for
one who had been the master In that very
spot.
For the Blue Dragon had been owned by
his grandfather and father before him;
and they had both been thrifty men, and
had saved money and bought much prop
Aerty round about So that when Jonas
Eames and his twin brother Luke came
into their inheritance on their fathers
death, there was a pretty fortune to be
divided.
At first they carried on the business of
the Blue Dragon together. But Jonas,
ever d. ssolute and spendthrift, speedily
drank gambled and debauched away his
share of the heritage. and stood one day
penniless and humbled before his brother.
Now as far as Jonas could love anything,
he loved Luke. The mysterious bond of
twinhood bound them together in spite of
sill differences of taste and character.
I'VE are not two, Jonas" said Luke.
I'VE arc one. It is a mere accident of
birth that we are not one human being
So what is mine is yours"
1t was a quaint standpoint, but he acted
from Il none the less He had long been
chafng at the inaction and seclusion of
his life ii the quiet country neighborhood
and pining for action in the great world
The second division of the property was
his opportunity. The Blue Dragon, its
good Viii, and a small stock Of ready
money he gave over TO Jonas; the rest
lie converted into cash, and went with it
10 strange lands beyond the seas.
But Jonas, saved from disaster by his
brothers quixotic love, had already sunk
too low TO profit by it. The Blue Dragon
gradually went to rack and ruin. On the
outskirts of the little West country town
of Turrell, and just one days stage from
the seaport of Kingsbridge, it used TO re-
ceive never-failing supply of guests and
throve exceedingly. But as its fortunes
waned. those of the White Heart in the
High street Of the town grew brighter un-
til at last the latter gained all the regular
custom, while the older house depended
upon travellers, who in their ignorance and
TO their after regret, stopped at the first
inn they came to-
At last it was put up for sale and bought
by Mr.. Settle, a stranger i'm those parts,
under whose mana cement its fame declin-
ed still further. Meanwhile Jonas drifted
from bad TO worse. Those whom he
would have hunted from his COURTYARD with
a dog-whip became his chosen associates
He became the foul, vicious, drunken loaf
er at street corners, a by-word of disgust
on all the country side. BY taking him
into her service Mrs. Settle by no means
increased the fair repute Of the Blue Drag.
on. Still, but for her he would have
starved; he knew it, and hated her ac.
cordingly.
His task over, Jonas emerged into tbs
court yard, dimly lit by streaks of lgh
from the inn windows. One of the maid!
was standing by the kitchen door scrap
ing out a saucepan. From the tap-room a
the further end came the sound of rough
voices and laughter. A light in the bes
bedroom in the middle Of the building
showed that the new arrival had alread,
retired. AS soon as the maid saw Jona
she went in, and re-appeared with grea
hunk of bread covered with a slice of ia
bacon.
''Your supper. Jonas"
He received it from her boorlshly an,
> began to eat. The girl took up the sauce
pan again.
who's yon?" he asked, presently, jerk
ing his clasp-knife upwards.
"A gentleman, 20 be sure" replied tn
girl. "and a proper one. An officer mos
IL ft,sr so