The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-27


1t was not that she felt unable TO devote
herself to Cornelius Dobinson. She could
and would do that Loyalty and conscen-
tiously. But she grew self-conscious and
suspicious. She regretted what she had
done; felt that she had entrapped him,
and that very likely he didn't really love
her at ALL This led her to watch every
act of Mr.. Dobinson's, to look az every
face that he looked at and every moment
of thoughuulness or depression was turn
ed into a regret for what he had done. Her
behavior also could not escape the minis
ter's observation, and he, on his part, be-
gan to fear that Martha already repented
of her bargain. Thus. although things
went on externally just as before there
was an underground of feeling which per-
petuaily kept alive in both a sense of re-
sJraint
1t was strange. too, that although at first
seeming 10 dispose of Mr.. Dobinson's agi-
tat.on with regard TO his bureau, as days
passed it only revived it in a still more
acute FORM His action seemed no longer
to agree with the condition which old Mr..
Hudspeth had imposed. To such a degree
did this rise that for the whole of one
week the minister was utterly incapable
of composing one word of his sermons.
Saturday night came, and nothing was
done; not a thought or emotion would
arise in him, although he had sat for
hours staring at his bureau. He would get
up and pace about the room in despair,
then set down again TO the same hopeless
blank as before. He scrubbed on paper
and tore II up; pulled one note book after
another from the pigeon holes, and thrust
them back again. With nervous fingers
he played with the edge of the green
baize that lined the flap on which he wrote
and without knowing il began TO peel it
off from one corner where it was loose.
After doing this for some seconds uncon-
sciously he awoke to the fact that he was
distressed a the damage he had done. In
looking at it, however, something attract
ed his intention, and he leaned forward
and stared. The piece of cloth which was
loose extended about SIX inches from the
corner, and this the minister had folded
back. Underneath il a bit of paper ap-
peared. At this he stared long and earn
estly.
II is not likely that Mr.. Dobinson had
ever read a romance, or else no doubt his
first attention to the old bureau would
have been by way of search for the hidden
bank notes or other important documents
which such a piece of furniture is gener-
ally found to contain. The discovery of
this scrap of paper, therefore, took him
completely by surprise. 1t was a torn
fragment of note paper, with writing upon
it, and the words which the minister read
over and over again were these;- -
never forgive her. Her behaviour to the
child Janet has been iniquitous in the ex-
IRENE, and If the poor darling is ever to
find happiness or even peace in this life
at all il must be at the hands of one who
has not known the happiness of children
of his own, or in years to come let us hope
at the hands of one who may have the
sense to find in what the chief glory of
existence consists. Yours ever, Jonathan
| Hudspeth.'
| Despite his I'll success before Mr.. Dobin-
| sons first impulse was TO consult the
vicar with regard to this important frag-
ment He took it and went direct 10 the
| parsonage.
Yes. 1 can enlighten you said Mr..
Hollonutt, with the bland smile he had
ready for most occasions. 1T refers to
| Janet Ryle, at Westwood, who is niece
| of old Hudspeth and who was particularly
| unfortunate in her home surroundings.
You know her. She belongs TO you. That
| is her old uncles writing, and l am thank
| full to see that he could write in such a
| spirit But you see he tore up the letter
| or else you would not have found this
! fragment Do you consider 1t a clue tc
| the lost condition. concluded the clergy
man facetiously.
But MIR. Dobinson could not make fur
of anything connected with this matter
| He left the vicarage very thoughtful, very
| agitated. 1t was a lovely evening, so il
| order to calm himself he turned away
| from the village and walked towards the
moor. He went on and on heedlessly
| without any design in the direction he
took. The wide expanse of neither ready
to bloom spread before him, and the sur
was sinking to the hilltops. The path lay
exactly in the face of the sun, so the min
lister kept his eyes downwards. and it was
with a start of establishment that he be
| came suddenly aware of someone stop
ping just in front of him. Raising his
eyes he looked into the face of Martha
Boyd. He was so confused by the appar.
alton that his behaviour must have seemed
strange to Martha.
II am so glad you are going" exclaim
ed she. "She is very i'll.
What? Who? Going where? What d.
you mean, Martha?"
For an instant Martha was shocked a
his duplicity.
"She is expecting you. She has been talk
ing about you to me all the time"
Dearest, do explain to me-" cried tn
minister in despair, as he snatched he
hand. II can't imagine what you mean
was only coming for a walk, to be alone.
1t was difficult to believe him, but hi
earnestness seemed sincere.
II thought you were going to Westwoo'
to see Janet Ryle She said you woul'
come"
Mr.. Dickinson stared into her face In ut
| ter bewilderment and only saw that Mar
tina was agitated and deeply blushing.
"You cannot think that l would lie t
| you, Martha. l have no idea what yol
| mean. | have never been to see Jane
Ryle 1 did not know that she was III
Why should she say that 1 would Gomez"
Because she wishes you to-" was tn
reply, for now Martha fully believed him.
Then you must come back with me a
we'll" So they went on TO Westwood il
company.
Janet by her old uncle's help had becom
governess at the farm of .Westwood am
was known to Mr. Dobinson as one of hi
congreget ton. He had never admitted an,
undue partially for Janet, but now, as h
saw her pale and worn with sickness
strong wave of sympathy, swept over him
and he recollected having fixed his eye
often on her in the church. The ministe
NIar INV