The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-21

my pOOr crippled nusDdRu anu WySell
were turned from our little home in
Ridgeield, You nobly saved US from the
poor-house. Your means purchased us
this quiet paradise, you crowned our old
age with peace and plenty, my husband
died blessing you, and l-command! my
life is yours"
Briefly, rapidly but coherently, Ray
Webster told his story to the old woman.
She listened with a shudder as he
| depicted the b~lackness of Arnold Dacre's
heart, the misery he had wrought, her
eyes were one great glow of sympathy
and love, as he asked her to care for
Flora Merwyn for a few days.
'She must not return to Ridgefeld, +"
he said.
But when she wakens the thought OF
her father will lmpel her to hasten
thither."
lit must not be-you will tell her that
a friend-a true friend rescued her from
the bank vault. She thinks me dead.
You must not enlighten her yet. Keep
her here until I return"
You are going away? You may be
recognized"
81 will be careful" replied Ray. SOL
EMMY. 81 have a great WORT to do, and
and tor the sake OF this beloved, be-
reaved, creature, I will not court dam
ger. But l need money to prosecute nv
plans against Arnold Dacre, I need a dis
guise-"
The woman started.
"Stay!" she spoke quite excitedly. "a
disguise? The gypsies taught me a Gu.
rious art once. Mr.. Webster. will you
consent to remain here until tomorrow
morning, if I agree to furnish you with a
disguise that your own friends would
never pierce?"
Can you do this?" queried Webster,
skepticly.
Yes"
He gave a dubious consent. Flora,
still white and helpless, was brought in
to the hut, and Mrs. Alden placed her
on her own snowy bed.
''She has suffered a severe shock, that
is ALL" she said comfortingly to the
anxious Ray. do not fear. l shall re-
vive and control her. Come with me
now"
She led the way to a shed and to its
attic.
''You will be safe here If traced" she
said. There is a cot upon which you
can rest" .
"But I can not sleep, Mrs. Alden"
demurred Webster. Every moment Is
precious"
Trust me- smiled his hostess en-.
co%uragingly. "You will not regret 1t.
Drink this and she rendered a cup, into
which she poured a mixture from a bottle.
Drug or sedative, it sent Ray Web
ster's wearied senses into dense but re-
treshing slumber almost Immediately. It
was daylight again when he awoke.
"A night-a whole precious night
gone!" he cried, springing in dismay to
his feet.
DO not excite yourself" spoke a re.
assuring voice, and he looked up to see
Ills faithful hostess putting away a cloth
mask, shears. pigments and some saucers
containing stains of various hues
"Flora" calculated Ray in a palpita.
ting breath.
she is sleeping quietly. She revived
during the night, but l gave her a COM
posing draught- Do not fear. I will
carry out your wishes regarding her.
And now you can 60 it you like, and
heaven guide you in the battle OF right
against wrong"
'tsYes, 1 must 60" repeated Ray slowly
81 must secure a disguise, l must get
some money"
TIE old woman pointed to q suit Of
neat, home.spun clothes lying across a
O. chair, and to a little bag heavy with
coin,
both are provided for you," she
smiled, II am thankful my little savings
come in so appropriately, and, believe
me. l can spare them"
How shall 1 thank You?" murmured
Webster gratefully. but the disguise
these clothes will aid it, but my face"
The old extended a pair OF
dark blue spectacles with q curious smile.
Put them on" she directed,
Ray Webster obeyed mechanically and
gs *Ss1: ~"
AS she spoke, she held a small mirror
before his face.
~ told you the gypsies had taught me
some curious things" she reiterated.
They showed the play actors art-how,
with peculiar pigments and stains, a
face could be masked. l could disguise
any one. Look, Mr.. Webster. You
wanted a disguise. Is it safeP"
Ray Webster did look. For a mo-
ment, utter CONSERVATION filed his soul.
He could scarcely credit the evidence Of
his senses. The face that reflected back
at him from the little mirror, was utterly
, unfamiliar and strange.
And then, a fierce, wild Joy SUPER
vened. He had sought a disguise. The
deft hand of a faithful friend had sup
piled it marvelously.
1t was more than disguise. it was a
total change of his previous identity.
Why! even Flora would not know him.
He was safe to go out into the world
now-secure to follow his enemy into his
very lair.
Like a young knight arrayed Tor COM
bat, he sprang up ready for battle.
Man to man at even odds, the race to
the swiftest runner. Let Arnold Dacre
look well to himself, in the coming con-
fict Of wrong against right, in the IN.
relenting warfare of the champion OF
love, honor, and duty!
ITO BE CONTINUED.
nho ornoei+;on which Tho naonla NJ