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

years IN PdrlS, anu as many III RoLno,
man used to meeting all kinds OF people,
could surely hold his own in any com.
munity chance might throw him into
and yet it was strange. deuced strange,
that he should disappear so suddenly.
The second act was we'll on when
Livingston re-entered the theater slowly.
Half a dozen people scowled as he re-
sumed his seat; they were deeply inter.
ested in the opera, enthused over the
new singer.
Suddenly Livingston experienced re-
lief. He smiled now at his dullness-
Nothing could be clearer. Beauchampe's
words were sufficient. He was smitten
with the singers charms, and since he
had retouched her portrait within fort
night, what could be more natural.
Doubtless he had availed himself OF an
unexpected opportunity to pay his re-
spects to the prima donna in the green
room. Well, Livingston, could excuse
him. A man head over heels in love with
a woman, as it was plain Beauchampe
wasl-however, Livingston resolved to
rally him the moment they met again.
And yet-why should Beauchampe re-
main in the green-room? The prima
donna was on the stage. Possibly the
artist was talking with the manager,
who was so overjoyed that night that he
talked to everybody.
A commotion near one OF the doors
caused half the audience to look around
angrily. There was scufle, cries and
oaths blended. Blows sounded Stimuli
taneously with the oaths- There were
cries of
3Kick him outl"
sThe rufian."
Many rose in their places and looked
on the scene that interrupted the per-
formance on the stage.
Livingston beheld young man with
disheveled hair striking one Of the ush-
ers violent blow in the face.
The young mans face was infiamed
drink and devilish passion.
If Livingston had not stood up quickly
and noted all that passed, he would have
thought it was diSagreeable dream, but
there could not be any mistake.
The young man who had cursed the
ushers end knocked one down, and who
stood in full view of the people in the
parquette striking right and left at the
ushers and police officer was Leslie Beau
champe.
Livingston experienced q sickening
sensation, but controlled himself instant
ly and made his way to the entrance as
fast as he could.
That Beauchampe would drink to ex-
cess, Livingston until that moment
deemed incredible: that drink would
transform a man with all the instincts,
to say nothing of the breeding of gen.
tleman, into brawling ruffian in fifteen
minutes, Livingston had not thought
possible.
But since his friend was insane with
contrive to take him to some place where
be could be restrained until he recovered
his senses.
When Livingston hastened to the en-
trance, the group gathered there were
furious Some were invoking the aid Of
police, while others eyecrated the ruffian
who had eluded them.
LIVINGSTON listened like a man in a
dream to the broken speeches OF those
around him, from which he learned that
his friend had sullenly submitted to
physical force and numbers, and for the
reason that he was handcuffed, until his
captors approached the street.
Then-no one knew how tho prisoner
managed it-he had suddenly dealt the
officer having him in charge blow back
of the ear, telling him on the instant,
kicked one OF the attaches of the theater,
inflicted serious injuries upon his victim,
and, ere those around hin could put
forth hand to stay his progress, bound
ed out on the pavement, darted between
two passing vehicles, and disappeared
from view.
Two or three who ran toward the We
hicles. and failed to discover in which
direction the rufian had fed, were de-
scribing their sensations upon realizing
that the man had escaped.
The pursuers looked at each other
blankly, until those who lifted the police
man uttered exclamations OF surprise
Upon turning him over, they found in
his right hand (Which doubled under him
when he felD, the handouts he had
placed upon the prisoners wrists. This
explained part of the incident.
The prisoner was an expert in freeing
his hands of handouts. Livingston
stood, an interested listener, while the
policeman slowly gathered his wits and
contemplated the shining bands of steel
at is no common thief, whoever he Is,
gentlemen," said the policeman, slowly.
II never heard of but one man that could
do that-now I know there are two."
He listened silently to the speculations
of those around him. Some Of the ideas
advanced were very wild-Livingston
deemed them silly and absurd.
The policeman at length turned and
shook his head; then said in a matter.
of-fact manner:
"You are all wrong, gentlemen. The
man we are looking for is an old bird
He has done time in more than ono
prison. We know the signs-and they
are all plain this time. There can't be
any mistake about it,"
Livingston withdrew from the group
stunned, shocked. His sensations dur
Ing the ensuing ten seconds were mex
pressible.
To enter the theater again was i'm
possible
One thought occupied his mind. What
had become OF his friend Beauchampe?
Was he insane-crazed with some vile
decoction, or was he only drunk. and
like some men when drunk devilish?
Whatever it was Livingston resolved to
sget at the bottom OF the business"
That was the duty he charged himself
with now, and for several reasons
deemed sufficient taken separately.
In the first place he would not be
guilty of deserting q friend in pinch.
In the second place his curiosity was
piuued, and in the third place the affair
now presented the elements OF mys-
terry, and if there was one thing that
Livingston had passion for above all
other things it was the business of eX.