Smyrna times., 1893-02-15
CHAPTER XIII.
AN INTERVIEW.

CHATTER AAlIl.
AN INTERVIEW.
] visited both photograph galleries
in search of pictures or negatives to
help me in my work. Then / visited
some of Mrs. Langdon's neighbors.
knowing that Mr. Langdon was at the
store. | Jaw from one of the neigh
bors that Mrs. l.. was home and in the
back yard, preparing for wash day. So
not aiming for the old lady to bulIdoze
me that time, | went in and around
the back way, coming face to face with
my woman in the back porch. That
was a meeting without much courtesy.
and it was real surprise to her, and l
believe if she had seen me in time she
would have fed, but l walked right in
and was at her side before she was
aware of a visitors presence.
Said /, Mrs. Langdon, excuse me,
but it is necessary that we should have
an understanding, and desire a short
talk with you without much reference
to our dictionary"
"Sir, ! have nothing to say-nothing
at all"
My good lady, you are doing your
self an injustice, besides injuring your
friend by your silence" "I will not
make any more statements"
Mrs. LangdOn, l beg your pardon,
l am not asking you for any statement.
l have statement to make to you, and
whom you have heard it you will be
ready to talk business. In the first
place you don't know who l am, and
no doubt take me for an enemy"
II took you for a detective; 1 have
been bothered so much with them"
II know that you have had a great
deal to bear, and you are to be pitied,
and l tried to avoid calling on you at
all, as it is no pleasant task to me, and
fear I aroused Mr.. Langdon's suspic-
ion by calling last night" mo, you
did not"
By that time I had gained an atten-
tive listener She was nervous and
very restless, having quit her wash
ing. Just then her mother appeared
in the doorway, aud one sharp, pierc.
ing glance from me told her she was
an unwelcOme intruder, so she imme-
diately withdrew, and our conversa-
ton continued.
And you know Gran, do you? ?"
Know him Why, l am his friend"
HAS he told you anything ?" "I
should say he had; l know it all, but
that is no business, and | am here to
see you on very important business"
"Well, what is it ?"
"In tie first place you know that
cOlored girl, Flop" "Yes." "Wen,
she has been talking, until now the
- is to pay"
us that SOP" l watched with inter-
est her every expression and change of
color. went on THAT is what
said. You don't suppose | am here
just to pass a Joke, do you ?" Then,
trying to remember herself, she said,
what does she know ?"
"NOw don't get excited; you know
that she knows a good bit, besides the
boys have made bad break concern
ing -- -- ETC., and with your
help we expect to beat them all down"
Well, l need help. Is there anything
out now? That is just what takes me
here now"
II saw Gran last Sunday, why didn't
he tell me thenP"
NOW please do not lay any blame
on him, for indeed he did not know it
then"
"Well, why didn't he write mef"
why, l will tell you, writing is dan
gerous, just now. He is watched, and
has to go careful for while if he ex-
poets to avoid trouble"
"And you are from BaltimoreY" "l
am" "And Gran sent you" mo, /
am employed by his lawyer" / saw
had her, so let her go for all it was
worth.
She rested both hands on the tnb,
and with her eyes turned heavenward,
said-well, never mind what she said
Il know just as easy, while her look,
as we'll as words, are still fresh on my
memory. She never asked me any
further in the house, or said once have
a seat, but for all of that saw my
woman and had talk with her, too.
Then came the parting farewell. She
extended her hand and said our inter
view should remain a secret even from
and her unknown friend
was gone.
Then making all possible haste to
get my satchel l just had time to
scratch few lines at the depot, which
1 mailed on the 10 o'clock train, to
-, while on my way to
Colora. Then I was q photographer