The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-12-28

After the tragedy, the orator took a
swallow of water. mopped his brow
with the figured handkerchief and an
nounced that a new point herewith
presented itself for consideration. The
audience sank back with a gasp of
release from the strain of attention.
Minnie Briscoe. leaning back, buath-
less like the others, became conscious
that a tremor agitated her visitor.
Miss Sherwood had bent her head be-
hind the shelter of the judges broad
shoulders: was shaking slightly and
had covered her face with her hands.
What is it, Helen?" whispered Miss
Briscoe, anxiously. What is it? Is
something the matter?'
Nothing. Nothing dear" She drop
ped her hands from her face. Her
cheeks were deep crimson, and she bit
her lip with determination.
"Oh, but there is! Why, you've
tears in your eyes. Are you faint
What is it?"
wood choked, then cast a swift glance
at the profile of the melancholy young
man. The perfectly dismal decorum of
this gentleman seemed to inspire her
to maintain her own gravity. ut is
only that IT seemed such a pity about
that fly" she explained. From where
they sat the journalistic silhouette was
plainly visible. and both Fisbee and
Miss Sherwood looked toward it often,
the former with the wistful apologize
idelity one sees in the eyes of an old
setter watching his master.
When the lecture was over many of
the audience pressed forward to shake
the Hon. Mr.. Halloway's hand. Tom
Martin hooked his arm in that of the
sallow gentleman and passed out with
him.
Mighty humanizin view Hedge
took of that there insect remarked
Mr.. Martin. IT don't recollect l ever
heard of no mournfuller error than
that'n. 1 noticed you spoke of Halo
way as thinker without mention
ing what kind. I didn't know, before.
that you were as cautious man as
that
Does your satire find nothing sa-
cred, MARTINI" returned the other,
mot even the Honorable Hedge Hal
lowav?"
Il wouldn't presume" replied old
Tom, Ito make light of the catastro-
phe that overlook the needless fly.
When Holloway went on to other sub
Jects l was so busy picturin' the last
moments of that closin' life. stuck
there in the f1y-paper, couldn't listen
to him. But there's no use dwellin' on
a sorrow we can't help. Look at the
moon: it's full enough to cheer us
up" They had emerged from the court
house and paused on the street as the
stream of townsfolk divided and pass
cd by them to take different routes
leading from the Square. Not far
away. some people were getting into
blackboard. Fisbee and Miss Sher-
wood were already on the rear seat.
who's with him, tonight, Mr.. Fis-
bee?" asked Judge Briscoe in a low
voice.
mo one. He is going directly to the
office. Tomorrow is Thursday, one of
our days of publication"
"Oh. then it's all right. Climb in,
Minnie, we're waiting for YOU The
judge offered his hand to his daugh-
ter.
I'm n moment. father she answer
ed. I'm going to ask him to CALL" she
said to the other girl.
But won't he
Miss Briscoe laughed. HE never
comes. to see mel She walked over to
where Martin and the young man were
looking up at the moon, and addressed
the journalist.
I've been trying to get a chance to
offering him her hand; Il wanted to
tell you I had a friend coming to visit
me. Won't you come to see us? She
here"
The young man bowed. Thank you, .
he answered. Thank you, very much. /
shall be very glad" His tone had the
meaningless quality of perfunctory
courtesy; Miss Briscoe detected only
the courtesy; but the strange lady
Il A. -
words.
Don't you include me, Minnie?" in
quired Mr.. Martin. plaintively. 'Tll
try not to be too fascinatin', so as to
give our young friend a show. 1t was
love at first sight with me. l give Miss
Seliny warning soon as your folks
come in and l got good look at the
lady"
AS the blackboard drove away. Miss
Sherwood, who had been gazing stead
lastly at the two figures still standing
in the street. the tall ungainly old one,
and the taller. loosely-held young one
Che had not turned to look at herr
withdrew her eyes from them. bent
them seriously upon Fisbee, and ask
ed What did you mean when you
said no one was with him tonight"
That no one was watching him"
he answered.
Watching him? I don't understand"
Yes. he has been shot at from the
woods az night and"
The girl shiyered. but who watches
him ?"
The young men Of the town. He
has a habit OF taking long walks after
dark. and he Is needless OF all remon-
STRANGE. He laughs at the idea OF cur
failing the limit ~ his strolls or keep
lnN within the town when night has
fallen 20 the young men have organ
iEed "a guard for him. and every even
Ing one ~ them follows him until he
goes % che ofiice % work for the night
II is q different young man every