The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-21

besides, 1 would not tell you, my
dear little boy. You, you will meyer
know what it is to be poor. thank
God"
The words broke from her like a
cry.
GO, Geoffry. cannot explain to
you. Go away-you can come an
other time. Some day you will I'M
derstand"
1t was with a pale face and a swell
ing heart that Godfrey made his way
out of Mrs. Aliens room down the
stairs, and out into the fir-wood, where
he had first made Winnie's acquaint-
ance ~
He sat down on fallen tree. and
looked straight before him. seeing
nothing because of the tears in his
eyes. He was startled, therefore, when
a voice beside him suddenly made it
self heard.
Hope there's nothing wrong, sir"
1t was Jameson. the keeper, who
spoke
Godfrey started. and colored a lit
tie, but looked up frankly.
II was thinking about Winnie and
her mother. Jameson. Winnie does
look so ill.,
"Ay," said Jameson. systematically.
What is the matter with her. do
you think, Jameson
I've only my opinio.-, sir, and that's
just worth nothing at ALL But what
1 think is that it's starvation. neither
more nor less"
What! Jameson?" Geoffrey's face
was full of horror. DO you-do you
mean that they haven't enough to
eat?"
well, sir, I've thought for some
time that that's what it looks like"
said lFnnnor %
sullen unwillingness. "She's as proud
as proud; she won't take a penny she
hasn't earned, nor a meal from my
missis without paying for it: and we
know as we'll as anyone can know,
what comes into the house for her,
and what she lives upon. She starves
herself to get milk for the child: but
it's more than milk the little lady
wants."
But he was sorry that he had
spoken so plainly, for Godfrey burst,
without warning, into a passion of
sobs and tears. and fed through the
wood so swiftly that Jameson had not
time to soften his communication by
any qualifying words.
II.
The Squire sat alone in his study.
He sat in his armchair at the writing
table, in a strangely rigid attitude;
one clenched hand resting on the
table, the other grasping the arm of
his chair; his eyes fixed upon letter
outstretched before him. The color
had faded from his usually florid coun-
tenance, and his mouth was grimly
set beneath the white moustache He
did not present the appearance of a
man with whom it would be particu-
larly easy to deal
The letter before him was from a
firm of lawyers in London. They were
not his ordinary men of business. but
solicitors whom he had employed for
one special piece of work-work of
which he was perhaps a little bit
ashamed. For he knew that he had,
once at least. done a cruel thing.
The letter ran as follows:
"Sir-We beg to notify you that, in
accordance with your instructions, we
have stopped payment to Mrs. Geof-
frey Tempest of the income previously
allowed her, on account of the fact
that Mrs. Godfrey Tempest has broken
the terms of the agreement made with
you, by leaving London for the country
without your permission. We have ac-
quainted Mrs. Tempest with your re-
but have received no reply from her.
I'VE have discovered, however, that
Mrs. Godfrey Tempest has taken I'D
her abode in your neighborhood, and
is now resident at the cottage of a man
in your employ named Jameson. She
passes under the name of Mrs. Allen.
and is engaged in tuition"
Then followed the signature of the
firm. 1t was this letter which had
brought the terrible rrown to Mr..
Tempests forehead, and the harsh ex-
preston to his lips.
She shall suffer for it at any rate"
said the Squire, raising his head at
last. Not another penny from me
shall she have; and out she will go
from Jamiesons or 1 shall know the
reason why"
again as he heard a knock at the
door, Come in" he said, in a deep,
rather stern voice. For he knew that
1t was Geoffrey's knock, and he was NOT
sure whether Godfrey had not been
deceiving him; so that neither in tone
nor look could he bring himself to be
anything but severe.
We'll, sir, what do you want?" said
the Squire, as his grandson stood be-
fore him.
Grandfather will you-wiu Won
please, give me some money. A great
deal of money please, grandfather. be-
cause Jameson says they're just starv-
ing, and you you'd not like them to
starve, would you? Please let me
take them some money, so that she
may get nice things for little Winnie.
and have happy Christmas after all"
who are you talking about?" said
Mr.. Tempest, looking hard at the bow.
Mrs. Allen-the lady at the Lodge,
who teaches me music" said Geoffrev
eagerly. you don't know how anx-
ious and sad she looks; and Winnie
gets whittier and thinner every day. Oh
do help them, grandfather, or they'll
die-Jameison says they will die"
Did Jameson tell you to come to
me?"
"Oh, no; 1 don't suppose JAMESON
ever thought of such a thing. 1t was
only that l asked him what was the
matter with Mrs. Allen
"Oh, she has been playing the pa
thetic dodge, has she?'' said Mr.. Tenn
pest, more to himself than to the bow.
"Crying-exciting his pity-settinr
him on to intercede for herr under
stand. Look here, Godfrey" he re-
sumed in a louder key, II shall not
encourage you in any such nonsense.
1t is no business of yours whether this
person is in difficulties or not. If she
is, it is probably her own fault"
But won't you help her, GRANDPA
there"
NO, sir; I will not You are to have
nothing more TO do with her."
mo more lessons?" Godfrey Rasned
Certainly not. l want to hear. no
more about the matter. You can 60"
ssErtt-p o.