The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-12-23

an inward shudder chow am I aver 10 got
along with you sittiug oround7' He went
over fearfully toward the door and slipped
the spring lock Why. this IS ridiculous.
Everybody who meets us VIII remark
NO eve but yours can sec me" was tho
reply from the corner.
We'll thaTs one consolation" said
Greene. driving a long breath. My SOUL
Minei This Is the first time anybody ever
heard or such a thing"
he touched "a bell TO summon his fore
man.
"Han." he said. I'm going home. Ev-
erythlnR an right?''
"Yes. SIR" replied the foreman.
well. then, get me carriage. will
youe"
Certainly. sir"
II was with strange trepidatlon that
Mr.. Greene buttoned up his coat and
closed the door OF his office that evening.
he felt somehow as though be was BID
ding the old place good-by and might
never come back He noted with salts
faction that the coach lamps were unliL
Looking down he saw. moving lightly by
his side. the dark. little impish figure He
opeUed the coach door arb stepped aside
20 give the Soul the right Of way. Then
he entered
How shall ever be able to meet Mary
and the girls IN this nx? he said. ITS
az ful, aw full Something must have hnp-
p,ned IN ms brain" and he turned again
toward the little figure whose presence
and appearance seemed 20 put the quea-
ton al Authorization beyond all doubt.
on reaching his home he stepped quickly
to Tho door. opened Il with his own pri-
vote key and let himself into the hail un-
otse,ved Up the stairs to HIS room he
wen. roiselessly, once safe within ne
locked the door and sank down. exhaust
cd 81 a large easy chair
"He said ! had the meancst soul the
Lord ever permitted 10 b. Ia man-thats
what he said. j remember every word dis
tnctly," and he looked around once more
az the dwarleh creature who sat on a
chair almost opposite. And you are that
soul that came in obedience 10 some
strange summons! Now" said the mer-
chant. 81 want TO think about this Let
as ask what Is tho cause Of that dingy
color elnsh blackness?'
u am what you have made me- said
tho Soul II was not always 80 dark"
'The meanest soul" repeated Greene,
the words lingering In his brain Ike the
refrain OF a song The m9anest soul,
Wei. ii ! have b,ackened my soul. J pray
God TO help me- for no one else can"
a TAP az the door interrupted his
thoughts. He turned sharply 10 the little
figure.
You ore sure no ore can see your
None but you" was the reply.
tie opened che door.
sam, SAM" said the gentle voice Of
his wife. whats the matter? We saw
you 70 up. and we haven't heard from
YOU since you came home" She nervous
ly Fraspel his hands Ia her own. which
were trembling.
"Nothinr. Mary" said the lumber me--
.HH.aa fF.HH
only I wish YOU would send me up cup
OF tea-a cup Of good strong tea. l want
TO take Il mere IN my room. have some
thing on my mind: nothing 20 trouble you,
MARY but ! must be here alone for H.
tic while"
WIN something between gasp and a
sob the wife went down stains. Presently
she returned with the cup OF tea.
Thank you. Mary" be said In a tone
so kindly that HE wife looked NJ him IN
surprise. Now. dear. you see ! am an
right Won't YOU please get Tom to
hitch up aud drive around 20 slA mons.
th carpenter and tell him I wnnt-to see
him immediately In fact. tell him 10
bring Simmons with him" lie pulled out
his watch. II must have him here within
the next half hour"
Five minutes later. he could hear the
sound OF the departing coach. showing
mat the cuHEhmaN NAn HNfA upon MS ef-
rand. Mr.. Greene again touched the bell.
ana one % his daughters responded.
Edith I want 10 send down TO tho
widow Grorans. You know she Is one
Of my tenants. can't one OF You girls
20 down and bring her up? It's only ten
minutes walk and must see her this
evening.
why. papa" said the daughter. and
so later
ION" said the merchant. ITS only 7
O'Clock You go Edith. and ! will make
n up 10 YOU. You can take the street
car and be down there IN a twinkiing Z"
And 20 her astonlahment. he kissed her
such a thing had hardly happened since
the girls were babies.
n was well within tho half hour when
Tom drove up before the door and Car
rerter simmons mounted the steps. lie
vos shown UP 10 the merchants room
Come So. Simmons; come inY said Mr.
Greene with a show OF animation
II came. Mt. Greene. but I haven't tho
slightest idea"
NO matter. no matter. Sit down" said
the other. THE fact IL. Simmons. / be.
haved like hog 70 you this afternoon,
and am deeply sorry for Il. ] want you
to underatand thar. simmons You have
been a good customer q mine, ana I've
never lost a cent BY your trade, and 10
have spoken 20 you as ] GA was too
mean for anything, and want 20 apolo-
Fize."
"Oh, Mr Greene" protested the car
penter. don't say a word"
"Bm insist" said Greene stoutly. 1T
a man acts Like hos. he must Apologize