The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-07

abode, except that one of the staff of re-
porters was positive that he had removed
to the country for the benefit of his
health.
This was discouraging, but I proceeded
to inquire among the libraries and here
was more successful. On the list of sub
scribers to the Mercantile, was the name,
"George E. Brooks, No. 8 India street,
Green Point, Long Island" with date
of some six months previous.
In less than an hour I presented my
self at the door of the designated house,
which found to be plain, but respect
able clearinghouse kept by widow
by the name of Miles. My first inquiry
was:
"Does Mr.. George E. Brookes live
here?"
Mrs. Miles surveyed me solemnly from
above her spectacles, and replied slowly:
"He did live here, young man."
"Then he has renoved?'
eyes, he has been renewed to better
home"
"Will you be kind enough, madam, to
give me his present address,"
She stared at me stonily, and appre-
hending that she had not understood my
inquiry, repeated it:
"Where can T find Mr.. Brookes at
present2"
"He is where I trust you will some day
find him-in heaven!"
With some difficulty obtained from
her the information that her lodger had
died some three weeks previous; that he
had been kindly cared for by his daugh-
ter and beneficial society of which he
was member; and that after the funeral
the young lady had left the house, as she
said, to return to the friends with whom
she had lived before joining her father.
She had mentioned the name of the town;
but it had entirely escaped the landlady's
memory in the trouble and worry of get
ting the two vacated rooms ready for new
occupants. And thus again had Miss
Emma Brookes, will-o'-the wisp-like; es-
capped my grasp just as she appeared ac-
tuallyln my reach.
After transacting some business, next
day took the cars for home, in the hope
that Miss Brookes, ignorant of Mrs.
Royals death, might have returned to
her house, and there learned of what so
nearly interested her.
On taking my seat in the car, the first
person whom I recognized was the young
lady whom knew only as s'Tom's wife,"
but this time unaccompanied by the baby.
saw that she recognized me; and some
slight attention in regard to the window
sash led us into conversation.
She replied to my inquiry that Mrs.
Dixon had not returned home when she
left there on Tuesday, but she expected
to find her arrived, her sisters children
being now so much better.
She said this so swectly, and was such
a pleasant, ladylike young woman, that
I essayed to make myself agreeable by
sapiently remarlSing upon the prevalence
of measles and whooping-cough, and
hoping that her little orc had escaped the
epidemic.
At this she gave me quick, inquir-
ing glance and blushed.
II mean the little fellow that you had
in your arms when I saw you. I sup
posed it was yours, as the lady called you
her sons wife"
A swift, laughing glance lighted her
face.
s'That was a mistake. Mrs. Landon's
daughter-in-law had just stepped out
and left the little boy with me-"
1t was now my turn to feel embar-
rassed, though this was almost swallowed
UP in an unaccountable sense of salts
faction at finding that my companion was
not "Toms wife"
'sPray excuse my absurd m1stake!" I
said. "It was only because Mrs. Ian
don told me that she would send her
son wife, and you came"
She laughed, and we chatted on quite
pleasantly, until at Greenville she left
the cars.
It was not strange that I should on the
following day have suggested to MIR.
Holden the advissbility of my going to
Greenville to inquire again of Mrs. Dixon
in regard to Miss Brookes, Of whom she
might have received information since
nv first interview with her.
1t was little more than an hours ride,
and pleasant excursion for a summers
evening.
On ringing at the door of Mrs. Dixon's
house it was, to my qualification, opened
by my fair travelling companion of the
day previous, and was sure that she
blushed at the-to her-unexpected
meeting.
Mrs. Dixon had not yet returned, she
said, though they were expecting her by
the next train, which would be due in
fifteen minutes, if I did not object to
waiting.
Then she showed me into the parlor;
and fearing that she was about to leave
me there, I essayed to detain her by en-
tering into business talk.
"My business with Mrs. Dixon is of
rather peculiar NATURE" remarked.
ssShe has q reletive-a Miss Emma
Brookes-whose whereabouts we are very
anxious to discover"
She looked up with an expression of
surprise.
'tEmma Brookes2" she said, doubt
fully.
eyes; who lived for some years with
Mrs. Royal. May I inquire whether you
know the lady?"
II ought to know her." she replied,
quite gravcly. ~ am Emma Brookes. !"
She ,vos NOT mora s,lrnrised than nv