The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-07

Life was hatetully monotOnous; never
theless. ID had some aueviations and al
though Bernard had curtly refused 10 take
her 10 Melbourne, yet he never spared
money for her clothes. and liutle Injuries
lie kept Two domestic servants. subscrib-
ed to papers. escorted her to local gather
lngs, On his new buggy-there was no
church within a hundred miles. To this
fact though, she made il one Of her eriev-
auces, Mamie was supremely Indifferent:
but She had her distractons-a visit TO
the Poriers or the RusseIls a "trip to War
r3-Barra and an ever-interesting series of
hirtatons. These latter were her chief
amusements, and a very exciting enter
tainment they occasionally proved 70 be
Mamie Grimshaw relgned as acknowl-
edged queen OF the LinFa-LOnga district
ana received homage as such Her hus-
band meanwhile contemplated her con-
quests precisely as am indulgeni parent
might view the Vagaries of a spOilt child
II he had been stolidly Indifferent 10 Bes-
Sic, he was VIGOROUSLY besotted with re-
gard 60 her successor. The Queen could
do no wrons-ioug live the Queen, If she
went a little too far. and strained the 10y
atty of some subjects, Pleading look or
a care@s induced the King consort to see
the whole affair from her point of view.
As time wore on, the number of Mrs
Grimshaws victims Increased and her
reputation went far People whispered.
muttered finally talked boldly of young
StrOVer, who had been her guest and
shadow, and had been replaced by Dr.
Blame; and how young Dawson had gone
TO Tasmania-ard the devili and how
Freddy Blake had been mad about her
bright popular Freddy-and how misera-
Bile and drawn and haggard his merry face
had become ere he departed and was no
more seen. These were stock hands in the
township.
In water hole. with his hands tied in his
Handkerchief, the rather scattered com
munity began TO be a little Ashy of Mrs.
GrlmshaW S arch eyes, low voice, and sym
pathetic smile She was endowed with
the sObriquet of THE Spider" but, alas
at the present moment She was out Of
Eumor-her web only contained dead flies.
Think Of a pretty, idle, empty HEADED wo-
man, with n busy husband fifteen years
her senior. no children, no resources, no
near neighbOrs, and no special tastes save
Tor experimenting on the affections of de-
fenseless mankind!
When man took TO grooming his horse,
wearing a white shirt, and riding over 10
Linga Tonga, with a paper or a magazine
his friends looked on. and sincerely pitied
him; they knew what his fate would be
lie would be a WOman's lover for a few
weeks, and a woman hater for many years.
Mamie Grimshaws hour might be slow
10 arrive, but once she took possession
her empire was singularly complete. She
was naturally of a hard and a cold nature,
and she had never really cared for one of
her unhappy slaves; she smilingly received
all and gave nothing. She considered that
they We're more or less honored by being
sacrificed at her shrine. in order TO afford
her an amusing interlude in her otherwise
dull and trivial existence. The Spider
knew neither pity nor remorse she accept
cd fpg ia.
alteration and when she was weary Of
them, turned ruthlessly away.
But already Nemesis had begun to pace
toward her with Fastening steps. Latter
ly there had been notable falling off In
the matter of visitors with glossy shirt
fronts and glossy steeds. Mrs. Grimshaw
was meditatng upon this fact and how
but two men had assembled round her
when She had recently attended a local
race meeting, and two men who had recov-
cred. As shc meditated, she booked quite
pinchcd ana worn and saliow-by no means
the Lily of Linea Tonga" Oh. if Ber-
nard would only sell off this hateful place
ana take her home-she was so sick Of
this life; and she suddenly jumped up and
began 10 pace the veranda in a state of
Impotence. almost bordering on frenzy.
The ciatter of horses hoofs aroused her
from her thoughts. She looked round and
deserted Berhard riding up, accompanied
by two guests. one. an elderly dried-up
looking individual with a keen Ratchet
face, half-concealed by grey hat, tho
other much younger. and the handsomest
man she had ever beheld
He was riding a smart-looking nag, mis-
feet We're out of The stirrups, his grey SOM
brero was tilted over his face Yes. Wal
ter Talbot was strikingly good looking: a
well-horn, well-bred man of siX-and-twen-
ty whose life 50 far had been a failure.
q T,Etv. N,1
bot of the Dene, who had more acres than
money
He had failed for the army, and at the
age OF 26 was still seeking his fortune, and
so far Fortune, far from meeting him half
way had kent steadily out of his sight.
He was merely a helper on a run some
way north of Linga Tonga, and received
Fl week and board, in return for hard
work and the best of his days; he and
his employer had been down TO Melbourne
with q drove of horses for the Indian mar
ket. and We're now en- route home.
It's TOO late to make Crosskeys tonight, ="
said Macnab, I'VE VIII just stop at Bern.
Cumshaws, and make an early start,
ana by good luck here he is himself. HUI
10. Grimshaw. how are you? We have
come TO ask FOR shakedown and DIT
Of supper"
And welcome" said Grimshaw, heartily.
Il don't think you know Mr.. Talbot
mo holding. lie has never been this
way before"
He is rather a stick-at-home, and never
rambles far"
81 don know what you cali Melbourne, -
said Talbot, with a laugh.
"Oh wen. that was business. Did you
do a good trade. Mace
Pretty fair; average twenty a head"
"Aye and they viii he sold a Waller $
for 500 rupees. Mamie 60 his wife, who
had halted, and stood expectantly on the
steps OF the veranda. here is Mr.. Macnah
and his friend Mr.. Talbot come to put
up. l hope you have something In the
| larder'
Mamie nodded and bowed She eagerly
! scrudnized the stranger as he DOTTED his
big hat, and as she did so she changed
color She Instantly recognized him as
! the son OF the squire at home. Truly the
world was a little place. She had seen
young Talbot at church, at the flower fete.
riding along through the roads and The
village She knew him well by sight;
| he had merely changed from handsome
stripping 20 a handsome man; but she
made no remark. and hurried indoors to
prepare for company ana to change her