The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-09-07
CHAPTER ".
AN OPPORTUNITY LOST.

-
the night.
CHAPTER ~.
AN OPPORTUNITY LOST.
On leaving his bride in the parlor,
Eugene Clev eiand had hastened upstairs
to the room in which Mildred little
late sought seclusion.
After closing the door, he had once
more carefully read over the note he had
received, and then, as he thought, thrust
it into his vest pocket.
His overcost lay across the back Of q
chair, and his hat was on the table close
by. In putting on his coat the somewhat
crumpled note, which had been rather
carelessly thrust into his pocket, fell out
upon the floor.
This, unfortunately, he did not notice:
and having buttoned his coat and seized
his hat, he hnstened from the room.
Passing down back stairway, in order
to avoid attracting attention, he descend
ed to the basement, kept on through the
servants hall, and 80 at last gained the
street.
For moment he hesltated, as IT uncer-
tain what course to pursue, and then
started at rapid pace toward Sixth
avenue.
He had hardly reached the corner when
he saw an ompty cab approaching. He
at once hailed 1t, and as it drew up to
the sidewalk, sprang inside.
Where to-" asked the driver, as he
opened the door.
1.-Two hundred and ninety-fve West
Forty-seventh street," was the answer;
and in another moment he was being
rapidly whirled up the avenue.
Here We ore, sir" exclaimed the dri-
yer, as the cab came to stand and he
sprang from his seat. But before he could
open The door Eugene was on the side
walk.
Wat here" he said; Il shall not detain
you for more than ten minutes" and run
ming rapidly up the steps, he gave loud
ring at the bell.
He waited for some time, and hearing
no movement inside, rang again.
A moment later he distinguished the
sound of heavy footsteps slowly ascend
ing the basement stairs, aud then. with
aggrav ating deliberation, approaching
through the hall.
The key turned in the lock, and the
door was opened just enough to permit
the person within 10 get fair view of the
would-be visitor without
who are ye, sor, an phat do yez want
here, if ye plaze?" came voice through
the aperture. Sure, the mistress is out,
an L"
Il don't want to see your mistress, you
know that very WE'LL" interrupted Eu-
gene. impatiently. Il called to see Miss
Fielding"
Miss Meta, is it? Thin she'd better re-
save her company whin her brothers
within the house! That's phat I'm
thinkin'."
But she is sick, and has sent for me.
I must see her. tell you. Come, don't
keep me standing out here all night"
i'm KNOWN she's sick, nodded the
girl, without offering to move; an I'm
thinkin' it's best she should tie kept quiet
loike. Anyways at all, I'm not paid to do
her throttin'. Why don't her brother stay
at home an wait on her friendsi"
Come, get out of the way" exclaimed
Eugene, almost fercely; and, thrusting
the impudent girl aside, he hurried
through the hall and up the stairway.
Brldget started to cry murder nnd fire;
but Just at that moment she discovered
policeman on the opposite side Of the
street, and so thought better OF 1t.
Deliberately she shut and locked the
door, and descended TO her own regions
in the basement, Inuttering as she went:
The name thief, the miserab Turk,
wouldn't give ME aven clint to bless me-
self wild; an him n courtin' nm n courtin
of her, wild niver wan in the way barrln'
meseif to watch him?"
Meanwhile Eugene lad gained the door
of Metals sitting-room and knocked.
There was no response. and, after an
instsnSs hesitation. he mustered courage
to open it.
The room, as he expected to find it,
was empty.
He passed on into the next. This also
was empty, but just before him he saw
door standing ajar. He knew it opened
into Metas sleeping apartment, und,
DR. wing near, lie knocked gently.
Who is there?" called q sweet, but
feeble voice, in q tone of surprise and
alarm.
1T is I-Eugene. You sent for me,
you know"
Eugene! l sent for you? Great
heavens! what does this mean1 Go back
to the drawing room. l will join you
there directly"
But you are sick-unable to rise, per-
haps. ="
-Go-go. Don't worry ahout me. !
must SEQ You. I must know more of
this. will be with you almost ILL
stsntly."
And so Eugene returned to The draw.
ing-room, and, seating himself i'll the
first chair that came handy, gave himself
up to wondering what Meta's strange re-
ception of hun might mean.
He had not to wonder long. The girl
herself speedily joined him.
After turning up the light. she drew q
chair near her visitor, and, as she nix
into it. said. earnestly: