The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-20

L
terly "A small reason, surely. Not
worth mentioning for a moment"
He nodded. The same tongue, the very
same. Oh what fool was to have MUD
ed ia in The long ago. If | had been 1t
tie Older and wiser at the time | could
have gotten over that trouble of yours
Esther" He returned her smile as It
faded by this time you would have done
with sharpness ne added.
For a moment she stood dumb at his
audacity Perhaps you Will agree to
leave this question to Kitty2' she Went
on. when she could speak, standing very
straight, and ignoring his speech.
why. yes" he answered, slowly. Il
think that would be safe.
She took a quick step toward the door.
He placed a OBTAINING hand on her arm,
and she shrank back from 1t.
"One moment, please. Its as wei not
10 prejudice the child, Ell? Let her think
that we are-er-that we are
Friendly, Of course, yes. You agree
that if she chooses to live wholly with
NE, you will not object?"
Yes, provided OF course, that have
the run of the house. l must keep an
eye on my brothers child. on the other
hand, If she elects 10 live with me, you
will at all times be welcome under our
roof
Miss Wainwright regarded him, mute,
and he raised himself gently on his toes,
hiss hands crossed behind him, as he re-
turned her gaze with faint smile.
y see that nothing will induce you to
treat the situation otherwise than face
| tiously," she said. coldly.
Certainly, l viii be as serious as you
like Name your own terms. if you object
TO mine. 1 viii see if 1 can agree with
them
are not positively malicious, you will
agree with them
I'm that case 1 surely SHALL
Then this is the way 1t shall be: Pro
vided Kitty elects to live with me, send
her to visit you at stated times and sea-
sons. Provided she elects TO live with
YOU, you shall send her to visit me at in
tervals If she prefers to abide by her
mothers request and share our care equal
ly, you shall see nothing of her during
| my half of the year, and L will see moth
! ing of her during your half of the year.
| Do you agree?
He shrugged his shoulders Il suppose
so. knowing nothing of unkindness and
malice"
Miss Wainwright again caught her lip
| in her teeth, and regarded her companion
with less tension Thank you" she said
land one thing more, Judson, / wish you
would agree to one thing more
|
perceive the kindness Of her companion
| gaze. Let me take the child home with
me for a fortnight before we talk about
1t to her. Let her rest and recover liz
! tie from her loss. I, of course will dur
ing the time say nothing of this"
Every well, then; as 1 understand 1t,
In two weeks time you would like me to
come to your house
mo. no." responded Miss Wainwright,
| MI e
will come in town and meet you. l would
not trouble you to come so far"
The mans smile deepened and hum
orous light came into his eyes. but It
will be no trouble, assure you. 1t would
be at once a duty and delight"
The expression on Esther's face was as
hard and repellant as its color was soft
and winning.
There IS no OCCASION she said, colby.
1--WE will come to you"
cat my house, then 1 We a decent
.enough apartment, Esther, and Kitty is
at home in 1t"
cat your Office, if you will allow it,
retolned Miss Wainwright, stiffly.
At his office 1t was that they met few
| weeks later. Miss Wainwright and her
niece were ushered into a private room,
and there Judson Dyett soon Joined them,
fresh, smiling, debonair, looking on such
GOOD terms with himself and the world
that Esther felt again, as she had at their
! previous interview, suddenly older, palmer.
more humdrum than usual. Her rigid
nose made the contrast of Kitty's manner
the more sharp. AS her uncle entered the
room the young girl jumped up and threw
her arms around his neck.
Dear Uncle Jud! Why haven't you
come to see me?" she cried.
He retained her hand, or she his, and she
| drew him toward the divan where Esther
was, and made him sit down, placing her
self between the two.
1T isn't so far on the cars. is 1t. Aunt
Esther"
The latter stirred upeaslly, and pretty
Kitty, with a loving glance, took her
aunt's hand with her free one and looked
content at holding both her relatives cap
tive
ITO tell the truth I've almost forgotten
the way to your Aunt Esther's house. Her
latch string is not for the likes of me-"
| said Dyett.
The girl looked up doubtfully at the quiet
tone.
| Your uncle is very busy man." said
Miss Wainwright briefly.
The situation was not at all comforta-
bic for Esther Kitty was but slender
barrier between her and the person who
kept sending calm g.ances at her over
| their nieces head; and moreover the girl
was doing the most foolish and risky
| things with the hands she held, beating
them softly up and down IN her lap, and
| almost striking them together. Esther was
| in poignant momentary dread lest hers
| should be forced against that large strong
one still brown from the summers cruis-
! ing. Yet she would not forcibly withdraw
| her hand. She was too Jealous of the love
| that had welcomed her rival, and she was
| glad to keep hold on Kitty.
I II haven't told you yet what we are
| here for my dear" she added, seriously.
Anything but to see Uncle JUDI in
| uuired the girl, naively.
Miss Wainwrights lips contracted. You
may tell her if you prefer she said to
| Dyett.
II fancy you would state the case bet
| ter" he returned. AT least, you would
be better satisfied. / am willing to give
you every advantage" The smile that ac-
companied this was so boyish, and there
was such teasing twinkle in the mans
/ ewes Esther felt that she hated him. More