The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-27
CHAPTER III.
A DOUBLE LIFE.

CHAPTER III. 80
A DOUBLE LIFE.
Livingston was walking rapidly. His
face was turned toward car which
would enable him to accomplish his pur.
pose in fifteen minutes, when a hand
was laid on his arm, and strong,
hearty-voiced man accosted him.
"How are you, MIR. Livingston? Sim.
mons"
aAll right, thank you. am going on
this car"
He turned about suddenly, and, facing
the man with the strong voice, added:
"On second thought, won't No need
to recall yourself, Mr.. Simmons 1 sell
dom forget names, and never forget
faces. 1t isn't likely will forget your
face, and in common gratitude 1 ought
never to forget your name. am glad
met you. viii believe in special provi'
dence after this"
"You always made too much Of that
affair, Mr.. Livingston" said Simmons,
with deepening color in his bronzed
cheeks.
aIf you mean in print, possibly yes;
but, between ourselves, you saved my
life, Simmons, and we both know it."
at was all chance. Another man IN
my place would have done just the same,
and anyhow you've more than made it
level. Your story fixed me-gave me
the best chance any man ever had to
show what he can do. I'm in the postal
department, just back from Tennessee.
On two weeks holiday-frst I've had
since that scrape"
Livingston grasped Simmons hand.
"I congratulate you. If the Govern
ment had more like you- But don't
let's moralize. Two weeks holiday?
Simmons;" here Livingston's tones sud-
denly became confidential, while his
manner and expression indicated conf.
dence.
@I'm glad we've met. I am in quan-
dary. Can you give me ten minutes
now?"
"An hour-a!l night, if can be Of any
service"
"Simmons," said Livingston, earnestly,
ayou are just the man. I'm in earnest.
ri tell you the story. Maybe you can
help me. You know every corner in
New York"
Then Livingston recited the facts in
the fewest words possible. Simmons
reflected.
aYou want to keep the thing shady.
[ see. If we can find him you have
some way to get him out Of town, sup
pose-until it is fixed up, or blows over.
His first open break? I mean since he
reformed-if he has reformed?"
"Why, Beauchampe is not that sort OF
man at ALL" Livingston replied quickly.
ut is impossible He was abroad years
studying. Hundreds know all about him.
only repeated what the policeman said "
"Well. you saw him strike the usher
In the theater. You are sure of that"
@Quite. The entire affair surprised me
stunned me- There Is mystery some
where, Simmons. I can't believe Beau
champe was in mis- senses-no one who
knows him could be made to believe he
would be guilty Of the conduct wit
messed. Then the suddenness Of the
change-what would transform man
like Beauchampe into ruffian in twelve
or fifteen minutes?"
ave seen it DONE" said Simmons
sAbsinthe is bad-and mixing it with
other drinks is worse. Anyhow, under
stand what you want. I don't care what
your reason is; it's pity of his relatives,
if he has any. We will go right to work
on it, and not waste minute. I know
Just where TO begin, and am always
well heeled-second nature, l guess"
Simmons laughed as he led the way.
"There is queer little hole not far
from the theater. I know the man that
has the place. We will look in there.
You can look around you. I will
step into another room with the
proprietor. No danger there
the proprietor would lose all he has
rather than have anything happen to
me in his place. If he should be so un-
fortunate, nothing could save him from
going back to prison-if he should es-
cape the gallows.. We are old acquaint-
ances."
Livingston thought he had never
looked upon more dangerous men than
those who glanced furtively at him when
his companion disappeared in an offset
In the wall at the upper end of the dive
sBlack Steve" presided over. More
brutal faces he had seen and described,
grosser passions were craven in the faces
of men he had seen in other haunts: In
none, however, had he encountered such
sinister countenances; the eyes turned
upon him, that he felt examining him,
measuring him physically, mentally and
morally, we're baleful; murder slumb bered
In some, and shone steadily, coldly in
others.
For the first time in his life Livingston
shivered with fear
The sensation was so new to him, that
be was angry with himself. He re-
gained his self-control or the instant,
and looked deliberately over the faces
lifted to his own.
Apparently no one there evinced moro
interest IN him tnan m the tobacco
stained floor they spat on. Simmons re-
ioined him at the end of five minutes,
and they left the dive without speaking.
When they stood on the pavement again
Simmons said:
sOur man was there"
ain that place!" Livingston's looks az
we'll as his tones discredited the state.
ment "If you are quite sure, Simmons,
that settles it; at the same time, the
proof must be powerful to convince me.
Why, that crowd gave me cold chill
I'd as soon make my bed in cave with
rattlesnakes as to trust my life to that
gang"
"And you would be right there
Nearly every man there has killed his
man-and some have helped to kill more
than one, and two or three noticed
have served full time for murder, or been
pardoned-nice, choice lot. Yes, Steve
knows our man. He made no bones
about telling me. Why he was
50 outspoken I can't tell-unless he Is
afraid of mel won't say without good
cause. Steve would give all he has in
tho world to read my gravestone. Our
man is"