The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-18

Sdld MIS-. BROOKE lOItlly.
And he is such an obstinate fanciful
simpleton he won't take the way that
is under his nose to get out Of his diff
culties, though he has the impudence 10
ask me to put down 1900 on the spot,
and more afterwards; says he is quite
willing it should be deducted from his
share hereafter-his share, indeed Land all
the time he might clear himself without
troubling me-"
''You mean that he might marry my
dear daughter and pay his debts with her
money. I beg to say that 1 set my face
against
Here the door opened to admit Uncle
McShane, who, on these fine summer
evenings, usually retired into the privacy
of his own chamber or the garden, TO
commit the enormity of smoking a pipe,
and was usually absent a considerable
time, being suspected by Sarah Jane Of
paying evening visits TO May as a murmur
of voices mingled with laughter was often
heard from the school room. where the
poor little deformed girl was rather strict
" kept out of sight.
At the entrance of his uncle-as Nc
Shane was by marriage-Brooke composed
himself, and then, on second thoughts, inn
parted the sad tale of his prodigal sons
misdolngs TO the wealthy relative, whose
favor he begrudged TO his first born, so
completely had his younger children push
ed Val from his place. Uncle McShane
listened with profound sympathy, and
then, prefacing his pleadings with VIC
lent him." began. Faith, it's cruel,
hard case for him and for you. ! don't
mean to say that the young man isn't in
fault, for he is; but just think of the fool
ishness and ignorance of youth Didn't
he hope to make 1t all right, as many an
other boy has done before him Don't be
too hard on him, Mr.. Brooke; give MIN a
chance q ma aaIy of a Gra ma n
and a good man. and a son you'll be proud
of. What a paltry two thousand against
the whole future: you help him this once,
ia do it meslef, only just now l am in
tight place; but I'll not forget you by
and by If you give in to me in this" There
was infinite entreaty in his tones; but if
Mr. Brooke was less obdurate in his as
pect-when, after a pause, he made an
swer-it was because there was something
in Uncle McShane's voice and manner
which woke dark doubts of the reality of
that relatives wealth.
you are too partial to Val" he said.
IF l yield in this instance, ! lay myself
open to being perpetually drained"
Faith you needn't. Won't this wise
woman of a wife of yours close the flood
gates any time you lilke?' Mrs. Brooke
looked up and said, with dignity, Il trust
l shall do my duty.
Uncle McShane muttered something in
an undertOne which, but for her unfamil-
iarity with vulgar Irish phrases, would
have given her shock.
Where's the poor boy?" resumed Nc
Shane.
"Oh, I don't know He went off at a
tangent to some of his worthless 'compan-
ions, after talking some nonsense about
quitting the army and getting a money
consideration from his brother officers for
clearing out of the way"
"Oh. faith, that will never do at all, at
all. III sit up for him, Mrs Brooke
ma'am, If you have no objection; you may
trust me to lock up hard and fast-maybe
Val win hear reason from me-"
Heaven knows in what condition he
may return" calculated Mrs. Brooke.
I'D lay long odds he'll return Ike a So
Der gentleman" calculated Uncle Nc
Shane.
Mr. Brooke murmured something about
hopeless spendthrifts, and left the room.
His wife folded up her piece of work and,
rising, observed, "Wen, Mr.. McShane, l
will send the servants to bed, and trust
you to lock up the gate and the front
door, and win you please see that that
wretched young man goes to bed without
setting the house on fire?"
So saying. she sailed away, and almost
Immediately the parlor maid entered-"If
you please, sir, have put the whisky and
soda in the morning room and lit the
lamp. Mrs. Brooke says you will be near
er the door-and--"
"All right, Susan my good girl I'll not
hinder you from shutting up" and Uncle
McShane proceeded to establish himself
in the small sitting room which looked to
the front.
In a few minutes silence prevailed
throughout Alma Lodge, and after pouring
himself out very modest allowance OF
whisky and water Uncle McShane pro-
ceeded 10 sip it slowly while he sat in pro-
found meditation Ultimately he drew out
his memorandum book, took the pencil
and on the envelope of letter began to
scribbie calculations sucking his pencil
frequently. Uncle McShane had begun to
nod over this mental exercise, when he
heard the latch Of the gate lifted, and hur-
ried briskly to open the door for the prod
igal son.
Sitting up for me?'' exclaimed Val;
les duced kind of you. I rather dreaded
coming in"
'Ahl wher have you been. you unfortu
nate boy asked Uncle McShane. with a
severe aspect and looking a him keenly
Walking 10 and fro to recover my
equanimity. No, l have not tasted even
a glass of wafer" he added, answering
the question in his granduncle's eyes.
Then come in and taste one now. and
I'll give you the best of good advice. and
mark me, Val me poor fellow. it's all
have 10 give ye."
Never mind, word in season is worth
a lot, and a friendly world" the young
man broke off abruptly.
sit down" said he uncle. Faith, you
are the Twin image of your poor mothert
and she was more like sister than
niece TO me in fhe old times. when we
were all poor enough in this wilderness Of a
city, before I went away to Canada" and
the curiously contrasted couple fell into
serious talk which lasted far into the
night.
The next mornings breakfast was earl
Ter than usual. for Mrs Brooke and Sa-
rah Jane had planned to make an expedI-
ton to Richmond to lunch with an old
maiden aunt of the latter who lived alone
in a beautiful villa and was the object
of much attention from both mother and
daughter. On this occasion the little Grip
pied girl May had also been invited. So
for a wonder. her faithful Kitty was to
have a holiday
Val was not at the morning meal-the
servant reported him gone out" having
had cup Of tea and slice of bread and
butter an hour before
q" Pom nv word he thinks the boyse is