The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-01
Ats-, Winfnr6 then hesitated no longer


sbodt advancing. When she reached The
spot on which the struggle bad taken
psaee, the man who had fallen had risen
TO his feet, and Mrs. Beane was at his
side, together with little boy, whom she
had never seen before.
Are you hurt, SIR" asked Miss VIM
ford, anxiously.
There was fresh fash Just at that mo-
ment, and the man, who was none other
than Jasper Marlowe, looked quickly up
and eyed his questioner keenly.
NO. a particle, as luck would have it, =
he replied. Il fell from a trip, and with
out receiving a blow of any consequence.
However, it would have gone hard with
me hal it not been for this little fellow
with his pistol. It's reports were alone
sufficient to send them scampering off. "
Thank heaven for that! Then the
villains did not succeed in robblng you,
as must have been their purpose?"
We'll, they didn't get what they were
after, and perhaps they wouldn't have
got that even if they had robbed me,
replied Jasper, dryly. But see, the rain
is coming at last, and you will both be
drenched. Is there not some cottage
near at hand in which you women can
seek shelter"
YES" said Dip, speaking for the first
time, I passed one at the edge of this
common a moment ago. There 1t is
now!" he added, pointing away to the
right, sS there came another fash.
Jasper exchanged few words apart
with Mrs Beane, and then, moving away
with the lad, indicated that both women
would do we'll to seek shelter at the in
dicated cottage without delay.
But will not you come also?" said Miss
Winford. See, 1t is already beginning
to pour" .
ducking will be of little consequence to
Dip and me-" said Jasper. Come; We
will see you to the cottage, and then
leave you"
This he accordingly did, aud then.
after cautioning the women to say moth
ing of what had CHANGED, passed away
into the rain and darkness with his little
companion.
He presently found q place under 9
neighboring hedge that afforded compar-
ative shelter, and, drawing Dip into it
after him, requested to know everything
tina, had transplred at Jasmine Iodge
during the day.
The boy complied, telling his story
without a break, and faithfully recount
ing as we'll everything that had come to
his knowledge even by the remotest hear
say: A.,
was finished, "Boncourt will 60 to town
on Thursday, and Noel Marlowe Will 60
ito town on Thursday, though on widely
different errands. Well, my object will
be to keep Noel in sight, and then, of
..-.,o rr;u fo11nu yrifh hfc
object, which will be net to lose sight Of
me. However, from the tas he and his
Followers have had of my cudgel tonight.
j think be will be rather over-cautious in
openly attacking me again. This Roll
inestone yon speak of-you think he can
be made subservient to my plans?"
Il only know what I have said, mas
ter," replied the boy in an earnestly af-
feotionate tone that oddly contrasted
with his ordinary ,pertness Of address.
Il know that for some reason or other
Madame Ronceville bitterly hates the
fellow, and that by some time to-mor-
row Rollingstone will hate both her and
Bonsourt, and perhaps be willing to do
anything in order to ruin their schemes.
fRollingstsne had o secret interview
with Mr.. Roncourt in the little wood ad-
joining luE Joo6o Sl 1auAoay uASAe, " utSo
partly overheard. In this interview
Boncourt threatened to have nothing to
do with the other, but allowed himself
TO be softened little, It seemed to me,
by Rollingstone begging off. But to-day,
this very evening. Boncourt has sent him
q letter, coldly dismissing him from his
employment, and saying that his place in
London will be taken by o Lew person
whom he has lately taken into his service.
That must mean me. RolilngEtone will
get this letter TO- morrow.
Being only q drunkard, and miser-
able gamblers assistant, the news OF his
livelihood being suddenly snatched from
him will naturally fill him with fury and
desire forrevenge. Don't you think so,
master2"
Yes; and I shall probably have oeca-
sion to make use Of his address, which
You have obtainedfor me, y was the kindly
reply. But the storm Is row abating.
and We must separate. How will you e1-
cuse your absence from the house on such
an evening to your new mrster?"
Trust me to manage that" replied the
boy, laughing, as they came out from
under the hedge. Master, will you let
me ask Who that strange old woman is
who came running to your assistance SO
pluckily while ago?"
You shall know in good time, my boy,
but the time is not yet" said Jasper,
grasping his hand. Now, goodnight