The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-02-02

Henry wharton, as near as / can make
out is Thoroughbred scoundrel."
THE villain of this drammer?
Gwani'
Listen to me, you Internal idiot!
Ruth"
Darby waggled his head hopelessly.
Dorrance fixed him with stern glare.
Ruth" he repeated with determina-
ton, lis heiress to peck of property
this and more. She's an orphan and
old Wharton is her guardian. She
comes into possession when she's IS,
and she will be that tomorrow"
"A woman's age"
BE quiet. If she marries before
that, nine-tenths of her inheritance re-
verts to her guardian
Here Darby grew befuddled.
/ Fhen why in heavens name does
she want your"
Il don't know that she does, except
as an alternative. This amiable uncle
IS added about money; wants to get
her married-even tried to force her
into match with 40, a real day.
vilish sort of fellow, Fetter by name.
Now, Fetter won't do, according to
Ruth. She doesn't want him, nor no.
body for that matter"
Not even you?"
Not even me-"
How do you know" she oueried
archly from the doorway. And Darby
is positive that a prettier picture never
was than she made framed in it's rich,
somber darkness. Are we not en-
gaged?"
Il hope So" Dorrance cried fervently;
~ nave you # you'll let me, though
all the world"
oh, here" Darby exclaimed, hastily,
IN a modest man. Go on with the
plot; l begin to see a light
Wen, them Ruth took up the
thread of narrative, las a last resort.
he persuaded me to come down here
from Atlanta, knowing that l could
never escape. And 1 never thought.
It's 20 miles to the nearest village
10 70 the nearest railroad I could not
walk 1t If l tried, and Cassius keeps
close watch on me. The horses uncle
TOOK with him when he left this morn
ing, saying that he would return this
evening. l am positive that he means
to bring back with him this odious Mr..
Fetter and a clergyman"
And-and-I know you thought me a
bold creature this afternoon, but 1 was
desperate, helpless. 1 could not think
what 10 DO. You will help me, dear Mr..
Darby-won't your" And believe me.
she pumped down on her knees before
him.
Darby was so embarrassed that he
jumped as though she had kissed him.
he adopted paternal tone, speaking
with the matured Judgment of twenty
five years.
Why, of course. my dear, you NAV
rely on me-" He was in a fine con-
ceit with himself for that speech.
20, thank you"
Not at all, Not at ALI" Darby mar
vels that he restrained himself from
saying; Tut, tut, my dear!" He added
with a relieving Inspiration: Then thu
best thing we can do is to get right
aboard the Beau Gallant?"
rance.
"Why?"
Dorrance eyed him curiously. .I've
a better plan," he said, at length.
"Well?"
TN tell you later. For the present
you stay here; I'm going to trot down
TO the beach and signal Hendricks. we
dine aboard tonight, you and l."
That's a mercy. At what timer"
But Dorance was gone.
He is just splendid. isn't he?" said
Ruth.
But Dorrance was gone.
He is just splendid, isn't hep" said
Ruth.
"Dorrance?" with a start.. 20. yes.
mes all right. If you marry him"
I've promised" She hung her head
IN such sweet confusion that Tom
Darby was more than ever envious.
But he will not hold you to that
promise" ina
Indeed she famed, defiantly, "he
has the right"
Il wish l had" said Darby Hes a
lucky dog"
Here he suddenly executed a back
ward leap of some several feet. Ruth
mad whipped out from beneath her
skirts small revolver. To Tom Darby
It's size Appropriated that of a cannon.
Great Scott" he cried. You can
nave him. I'm not thinking of inter-
fering. Don't!"
For a moment her surprise was only
equalled by his own. Then she began
to laugh convulsively.
Take it," she gasped "It's-for-
you"
Darby was suspicious. What for?"
he inquired
You might need-ft-should Uncle
Henry come. He-he would be angry.
Darby approached and took the wea-
pom gingerly.
rs it loaded?" he asked, NTH trpedi-
dation.
"Of course"
Very well, then" lin resignation. He
deposited it softly upon a table, con-
Vlnced that at any second he might be-
come an involuntary suicide, and re-
tired to distance. Ruth fled into the
hallway. Darby eyed the revolver
askance and swore softly, sighed and
lit a cigarette.
Twilight was falling. And from be-
hind him came stihed mirth.
Come 10 o'clock on a cool, starlit
night, and the Beau Gallant was speed
ing westward, under a full head of
steam. To the north doomed the dim,
low coast of Alabama.
In the saloon was assembled a motley
party, to champagne supper, of which
Dorrance and Tom Darby formed the
only self-satisfied members, the others
being plunged in deepest gloom, despite
all attempts to enliven them.
First. Mr.. Henry Wharton. aged in
years and sniff his countenance be al
lowed as evidence-glowering evilly'
across the table at Darby, whom he
had mistakenly conceived to be the
moving spirit in the enterprise; tIen,
Mr.. Fetter. young and weak willed,
lacking excuse for his existence, but
nightly impressed with his own simu-
lation of rakish worldliness; lastly, n
pale, frightened person, clergyman by
his cloth, but deep in the clutch of a
raging thirst for strong drink, these
were the unwilling guests.
Mr.. Wharton addressed himself to
Tom Darby who was contentedly en-
gaging the breast OF a tender chicken.
Mr.. Wharton shook "A lean fist framed
In soiled linen at him.
III have the law on you" he cried.
QulVeFing with rage. you'll find Young