The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-05-27

flick of her finger towards the; Chesters.
4Hin," was the Iaconic answer, "and"
-savagely-ahate him. Plague him.
how hate that fellow!" .:zs
SFi done, mon anil" and madame
tapped his arm lightly with her dainty
gloved hand. @Oh, you English, how
you are drole, with your 'hate,' and your
sh:sta'-an. coarse-si bette. We have
more poItesse. We say simply We Sc &c
not lofe."
4Then I, too, will not lofe'" he re-
turned impatiently. "Nay, will not
slofe'" mockingly dearly! closely!
His wife shall be your bosom friend,
Marie"
"His wife, Mark?" interrogatively.
"Bah! yes. The marriage was in The
Times. We will cherish-follow them
devotedly! I, in shadow; you, openly
and it will go hard if" but here en-
sued a whispered colloquy, to which sub
sequent events alone supplied the key.
X
Rodney returned too late for Monte
Carlo to be quilted that night. He had
found the lair, but not the wolf. Nor
did several ensuing days bring him more
success. Yet they were halcyon days to
him and Rotha, filled with explorations
of the queer old city, inland excursions
wanderings about that terraced, flower
freighted paradise, with its gay crowds
and gayer music, and, for Rotha-when
she could induce the Macpherson to take
her-the strange attraction of these silent
halls, where yelled vice, open misery,
doubtful triumph and undoubted rum
shifted to and fro as in a ghastly kaleid-
scope.
Daily the fascination grew upon her,
exciting an influence whose power IN
expicable to herself-was incommunca-
BILE as invisible to others. Rodney, true
to his self-distrustful resolution, fleeing
the shadow of temptation, refused to en-
ter the gaming saloons even as specsa-
tor. For Rotha it seemed different. Inc
scene amused her; and though to Mac
Pherson it was old and stale enough, ne
found in studying her-young, fresh, ana
innocent-the charm she felt IN
watching others. Not to please her,
or, far more, to save from destruction the
Bonnie Elaine-hi bride, his darling, hls
hearts core-would the canny Scotch
man have staked a sixpense.
Another of Rotha's pleasures was the
acquaintance of a French woman who,
since her arrival at Monte Carlo, had reg
ularly occupied the seat next Rotha at
dinner, chatted with her in the drawing
room, and beguiled with friendly artl-
fees the tedium of Rodney's involuntary
absences. Who so unassumingly enter
tanning, helpful, kind, as Madame
D'Armet? She, too, poor thing! waiting
waiting in lonely patience for the con-
stantly delayed return of a husband de-
tanned in Paris by diplomacy's red
tapeism! >,
With such companionship how could
Rotha debar Rodney from the delight OF
spending an occasional hour aboard the
Bonnie Elaine? Rotha was no sailor,
and nothing short of necessity induced
her to quit dry land.
,GAfter that horrible channel, too, she
said reproachfully, one day when Rod
ney, upon the principle practice makes
perfect" was trying to persuade her to
accept MacPherson's proposal of long
days cruising expedition. mo, Rodney
not even for you would brave the
lovely siren sea. But you she has be,
witched-enchanted. Go, then; Mad
anne D'Armet will take care of me. Only
-onIy-come pack soon!"
Should he go? Rodney debated, as he
husried towards Monaco for another
effort at unearthing Duval. To the en-.
ticing charms of catching, this expedi.
ton added that of glimpses at scenes and
shores whose interest was, to him, very
great. Rotha was willing, safe, con-
tent. 1t would be but a few hours sep
aration. Leaving Nice early in the
morning, they would be back by night
fall. Well! chance should decide. 1fhe
found Duval, and succeeded in his EN-.
bassy, he would go. Not otherwise.
He did succeed. Duval, this time,
missed evading him by two minutes,
Making a virtue of necessity, he paid
the larger portion of his debt, and Rod
ney returned possessed of notes valuing
200 pound s+efling.
What to 10 with them was now his
puzzle. Business hours were over
banks closed. When they reopened II
the morning he would be miles away on
the sea. He would contide them tc
Rotha-she was careful little woman
No one need know anything of the mat
ter, and in her custody they would bf
perfectly safe.
Suppose I lost them!" Rotha asked
regarding the notes apprehensively
Rodney, I wish you would lock them
up somewhere. have no idea where tc
put them"
Nonscnse!!" he replied lightly
"Women are clever hiders - always
Don't they often tuck money away in
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