The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-12-12

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she received all Frank Bowser's friends.
.sAnd where is Mr.. Bowser?'' said
Miss PilHngton.
Alice seconded the question with her
large, dark, inquiring eyes.
I said I had not seen Frank Bowser
since the previous evening, and that I
had expected to find him already here.
'sHe is not ill?'' said Alice
My face must have expressed anxiety,
for Alice Darrell gave mea quick search
ing look which I had difficulty in meet
ing without betraying my thoughts.
ssNo," said L ssWhy should you
think that?''
ST don't know" said she, twisting
her engagement ring nervously round
her finger, 'sbut I'm sure you are con-
cealing something. .
4.Nonsense, child!' said Mss Pill
Hngton, Strengthening her back-'.non-
sense! Make the tea. .
And the exotic aunt glanced from
Alice to the tea tray which stood on
side table near her chair. Miss Pilking-.
ton prided herself upon her punctuality
in all her domestic arrangements.
Won't you wait little while for
Frank?'' said Alice.
Certainly not, said Miss Pilking-
ton. forcing out the words in an ex-
hausted voice.
Alice pouted her pretty lips, and tears
came into her eyes as she rose from her
seat.
IF now could have dismissed from
my mind the extraordinary events Of
the previous evening, Frank Bowser's
absence would not have given me fur:
ther concern, but that midnight scene
with Scroggie was constantly recurring,
and the remarkable contrast between
this quiet domestic hearth and my own
dreaded thoughts seemed to give an un-
due Importance to the situation. The
most trifling events became connected
in my mind with this one relating to
Scroggie. I believed that the darkest
deeds were being enacted while l sat
idly here
Miss Pilkington's kettle, singing on
the hearth, suggested artificial gayety.
Miss Pilkington's cat, lying on the
rug at my feet, had never seemed to
look into the fire so seriously before-it
reminded me of Scroggie sitting over
mine last night-and when Miss Pill
kington presently began to pour out the
tea in her digni6ed fashion, and then
proceed, with still greater air of gran
deur, to extinguish the teapot with
sufocating t'cozy,'' some tragedy ap-
peared close at hand
To escape as soon as possible from
this disturbing domestic calm seemed
to me grave necessity. It was impos-
sible for me to consult with these ladies
now concerning this scheme of Bowser's.
Without loss Of time Scroggie's arrest
must be effected This was my duty,
and Frank Bowser, had reason to con-
lecture, could aid me. Yet I knew, un-
less took my leave with considerable
tact, that I should cause Alice Darrell
great anxiety, for she sat reading my
thoughts.
I therefore passed another half hour
in a state Of mental agony, conyersing
on trivial subjects with Miss Pilking-
ton over cups Of tea, and when rose
and held out my hand she said in a
lofty manner:
9.Tell Mr.. Bowser when you see him
that I like punctuality. I have been ac-
customed to it, in India, all my life.
Good evening"
had scarcely reached the first land
ing when was arrested by hearing
Alice Darell's voice.
Stay one moment, please, % said
Alice as she descended the staircase
and stood looking up beseechingly into
my face. 81 must hear the truth #
anything has happened to Frank, do not
conceal it from me.
Ino longer doubted that she knew OF
his mad scheme and disapproved Of it
strongly.
Nothing has happened, said I,
''that I know Of. -
''But you have some reason to be SO
anxious?''
eyes" said. "It's no use trying to
hide that from you.
"Where is he tonight?''
'tI cannot tell you. I am going to
look for him now. -
Alice glanced up the stairs and then
into my face distractedly.
''I wish I could come too. .
took her hand and said:
Trust me, Alice. will find him.
1t is cruel to give you so much anxiety. "
She kent hold of my hand for awhile,
as tha l,gl it linked her to her lover,
ar. then she gave 1ne grateful smile,
released my hand and allowed me to
leave her without another word.
I glanced back when l reached the
hall She still stood motionless on the
staircase where l left her, with her
hands clasped and her eyes bent thought
fully to the ground.
CHAPTER ".
AS soon as I reached the street 1
sprang into cab which was passing