Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-04-15


bless her!--was big enough and pas
sionate enough for a dozen ordinary
maidens. And this, according to the
writer aforesaid, is as it should be.
~ see that you dsapprove," she con
tinued, piqued by my silence.
Your eyes are blurred" replied.
"You have obeyed, Miss Nancy, the die
tates of your heart; and heart, nine
times out of ten, proves better guide
than head"
Mrs. Gerard received me in the parlor
"Will he die?" she demanded, anx-
iously.
He has had an awful fall, Mrs. Ger
ard. And this prolonged insensibility
argues the gravest internal injuries"
She covered her face with trembling
hands. Once, long ago, she had loved
this man, had given him that divine
gift, n girls immaculate heart; and
now, as the tears trickled through her
slender fingers, / knew that she had
turned back the tearstained pages of
the book of life and was rereading, ten
derby and reverently, the sweet story
of her youth. o memory, "active moth
or of all reason" what mad FRANKS thou
playest!
"Nancy is right" she said, presently.
81 cannot turn him away"
"He is quite harmless, now"
"Yes, yes. The doctor will soon be
here?"
"'Within an hour"
Nancy is attending to everything ]
i cannot"
at is not necessary that you should"
l interrupted. "Mrs. Gerard, try to
think of something else. Save your
strength. 1t may be needed later"
He was not responsible" she walled.
"Ilis father before him was-well, not
mad, but very eccentric. And he had
been working like a slave for weeks,
sitting up, writing, till three and four
in the morning That, and his terrible
jealousy, wrecked his reason"
"lfappy days are in store for you, Mrs.
Gerard. This cruel anxiety which has
preyed upon you and Mr.. Gerard is now
at an end. You will be able to take your
proper place at his side. lie needs YOU"
She smiled pathctically.
"Mr. Gerard can stand alone"
The coarsest ear might detect a dis
cord. The conviction flashed across me
that the second marriage had proved as
disastrous as the first. i had no right
to judge Mark Gerard; but from what
l had seen of the man | was ready to
pronounce him no fit mate for the
gentle woman beside me. My heart
ached for her.
OF course | said nothing of what had
passed in the Pirates cave. She es-
tecmed and trusted Demetrius; and the
facts would have shocked her mex
pressibly. 1t was important, however,
that should seek light and find it. At
present | was in the dark.
"Demetrius," / remarked, carelcssly,
"is faithful servant. How did you
come by him?"
Surely Mr.. Gerard told your"
"IIe told me little or nothing
She seemed surprised, but answered
my question. Mark Gerard had picked
up the Greek in New York, where he
had found him running the streets, alb
solutely destitute and starving. He had
given him liberal education, and, when
he was old enough, employed him as a
confidential servant. Demetrius had
proved honest, intelligent, and eX-
traordinarly receptive. Gerard liked
plastic servants, and he nodded the lad
to suit himself
"Demetrius,' faltered Mrs. Gerard, in
conclusion, has been with me ever
since that awful time. Nearly 20 years
he has given up to me. Mr.. Gerard has
paid him well, but money cannot can
Gel such obligations. Have you talked
much with him."
"IIe won't talk with me, Mrs. Ger.
ard"
"He is remarkably well informed
in his way, quite metaphysician."
Ills philosophy" | remarked, docs
not temper his hostility to me-"
"IIostility?" she repeated. THAT is
too strong word. lie is jealous, dare
say, because you have supplanted him
in sense; and the poor fellow was mol
brought up as a Christian. You know
Mr.. Gerard's views. Demetrius is q
pagan. When you understand hin
better, Mr.. Livingston, you will appre
ciate him."
81 have no doubt of it,"
Burlington was needing any attcn
ton, so ! said no more. My Immediate
departure from the cottage was not can
vassed, and / gladly left the matter il
allegiance. With my hand on the handle
of the door, asked one important
question.
"Shall I send telegram to Mr.
Gerard?"
She hesitated, scanning my face will
troubled eyes.
eyes," she answered, YEARLY, 81 sup
pose So
Her thoughts were straying in an
other direction.
"And you won't quarrel with De
metrius?"
So, after all, my foolish mans face
had betrayed me.
"As for Demetrius," l answered, 81
shall remember, Mrs. Gerard, how
much you owe him, and, If ever The
chance presents itself, pay portion o
the debt"
CHAPTER Y.
When does mana young man
begin to take himself seriously? Oh
viously, when he realizes that the in
tegrty of the human rope may depend