The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-07-04
. CHAPTER III.
snrKE AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.n

eection.
CHAPTER LII. -
sLrKE AN ANGEL OF IIaHT.n
Livingston walked rapidly three
SQUARES, was so fortunate as to catch a
car at the corner, and eight minutes
later was talking to the old man who
had charge of the building in which
Beauchampe had located himself upon
bis return from Italy.
sMr. Beauchampe does not lodge here,
SIR" + Z = 4
@But, /" interposed Livingston, hastily,
yet mindful Of what was due his elder,
II have distinct recollection that Mr..
Beauchampe lodged in his studio. That
was scarcely six months ago. I Irespect
your discretion the more so, sir, because
am warm friend OF Mr.. Beauchampe.
He would be glad to see me now above
all times, and If you will tell him I am
here"
II cannot tell him when he is not in
the house, SIR" the old man replied,
civilly.
THAT is all right" Livingston said,
impatiently. n understand all about it.
But was with him early in the even.
Ing, so If you just say to Mr.. Beau.
champe that Mr.. Livingston is here"
Il cannot speak to him when he is not
here"
"Come, now-he has given you orders
to admit no one."
mo, sir. He has not Mr.. Beau
champe does not lodge here"
sNot lodge. here!" exclaimed Living
ston. aWhen did he change his lodgings?"
II do not remember. 1t must be about
four or five months. Yes-all Of that. I"
aCan you tell me where 1 can find
him?n s.
q can direct you to his lodgings sir.
I know very well, sir. You are his
friend. believe. At least, Ihave heard
him speaking of you-he has shown me
your writing in the Record, SIR"
eyes, yes" said Livingston: @pardon
me, but must see Mr.. Beauchampe as
soon as possible" The old gentleman
was at special pains, lest the visitor and
friend might possibly make mistake.
E At least eight precious minutes were
lost before Livinston was on his way TO
Beauchampe's lodgings, and good quar-
ter of an hour expired before he found
them.
Beauchampe's lodgings were in the
last place Livingston would have looked
for his friend. They were far removed
from the thoroughfares made brisk by
pedestrians.
The houses were shabby, many Of
them falling into decay. Domesticity
prevailed, but the odor was not always
agreeable.
He experienced relief upon noting the
surroundings when he rang the bell,
where he was assured he would
find the artist He had erred twice, but
the proprietor Of musty little apothe-
cary shop came to his relief, and pointed
out the way for him.
The house did not look as bad as it's
neighbors The blinds were in good re-
pair, and the owner had repainted it
within three or four years
What possessed Beauchampe to hide
himself among these little, faded-out
shops and dingy dwellings? They were
enough to give Livingston the horrors
The door opened suddenly, and an
elderly female, with her neck mufied in
o towel and wearing a faded wrapper,
looked at the caller curiously.
When the visitor made his errand
known. the elderly female looked slant
ingly on the floor. and without answer
Ing word, walked up the stairs facing
him.
Livingston cbaffed inwardly. Was
the woman dumb?
At the end of a period that exhausted
his patience, now we'll tried, she descend
ed the stairs, and said:
tyn ~
Then the mysterious elderly female
entered door opening on the short hall,
and Livingston realized that he had q
listener-the elderly female was on
guard. At any other time Livingston
would have smiled; now he had serious
business on hand.
At the head Of the stairway he discov-
cred door ajar. Pushing 1t open, with
a resolve to face the worst, whatever II
might be, Livingston strobe into the
room, greeting his friend
When he was fairly in the room, speech
died on his lips. Instead of meeting q
well-known face, he found himself star
ing stupidly at young lady.
The young lady had laid aside her
work. In her haste a basket was over
LuTQGu, duu CdS(dOO VI COlOlS III
worsted tumbled toward him.
He stopped, lifted the basket and re-
placed it on the table. The action gave
him time to regain his self-possession.
The young lady said, "Thank you" in
an ordinary tone, and stood waiting his
pleasure.
Was this a wife, Livingston asked
himself. At all events he must be dou.
bly, discreet now. How to broach the
subiect-or would he give her any ink
ling of his real errand.
Livingston's experience as reporter
in days not so far distant, was worth
something in the emergency. He con.
! cluded he would let matters drift and
trust to chance. He said the right
bhing,
~ thought I would find Mr.. Beau
champe here, or would not have in
truded."
"I thought he sent message with
you?"
Surprise gave a new charm to her
face. 1t was very bright face, more
than pretty. Livingston thought she
was beautiful.
"Has anything happened to him, Mr..
Livingstone
She advanced to him quickly, and
searched his face in quick, startled