The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-05-10

only suffering from SuuStrUkC to whom
can [ look for help? / do not want to
appeal to anything but your hcart, but
swear to you that If you refuse | will
Kill myself sooner than face the consc-
qucncc of my own reckless act oh, will
you not do this, for the love of heaven,
for helpless, distracted woman?"
Sho bent her eyes imploringly up0n
hlm-gravc, clear eyes, strange, compel
ling, fascinating eyes 1t was tho abb
surdlty OF tho thing which the young
man had most in his mind. But tho
womans precautions would secure him
II worst came to worst 1t seemed cruel
not to render the assistance to "a frail.
sweet woman, nervous to the brink Of
>rostratlon over the impending loss Of
her llfo's happiness. The final threat of
SELF destruction, moreover, had such a
ring OF determined purpose that it do
clded HIM to accept this strange COM
mission at any cost.
Il Will do it," no said, with de-
liberation that argued better for tho ac-
complishment of the task than prompt.
or, more enthusiastic assent.
Then If you will tell tho cabman to
drive to No. - Lexington avenue [ can
tell you anything else on tho way" she
SAID, with deep sigh of relief II can
not repay you for your kindness, but
God may"
On their way to tho number indicated
she asked the young man 70 call at tho
Lexington avenue house ut Il quarter of 8
that evening and she would have tho
latchkey, the letter and tho box ready
for him. 1t was the residence, she OK
plainci, Of one of her most intimate wo-
man friends. Before they arrived at the
house, which proved to bo one of the
respectable, noncOmmittal brick ones
Astounding in that section of Lexington
avenue, she slipped "a So bill into his
hand to pay the cabman with when he
had set him down where he wished to
| go.
She also begged him to give this adj
dress to the cabman before they arrived
at tho house and to bid him drive ON at
once as soon as sho got out, since her
friend knew all of her mon acuuaint-
ances and might make curious inquiries
II she saw her drive up with stranger.
Of course her coming back in a hanson
would excite no Comment-all of which
was very reasonable and most becom-
ingly circumspcCt, so that he readily
did it, When the "cabby" had taken
him to his club, he paid him for his
part Of the drive.
He dincd at his cl }, fortifying him
self for his mission of the evening bv a
bottle of champagne. At the appointed
time he presented himself at tho Lex
lnSton avenue house. The lady an
swered the bell herself, did not invite
nm III, but gave him at once the latch
key, tho letter and tho box of C,cu-
ments. She told him she would open
the door for him on his return and
begged him to hurry back as soon rs he
had restored the box to irs place. a rub
Der tired cab stood at the door which
she had provided to facilitate his course.
The box was of black morocco, about.
ii inches long by 5 inches wide. Tho
young fellow felt no special interest in
1t outside OF its Importance to wOm-
ans lifelong peace. The cabman drove
his horse at walk, and when urged to
go faster said his horse had gone lumo
and he didn't t like to tax him too much.
lie had been paid by the lady, who evil
IDENTIFY shrank from placing herself un
der any money obligation to her friend
| Iy assistant, as II lady naturally would.
/ When he got to the house. the young
man told tho cabman he could 90, out
the fellow said the lady had paid him
for the return trip, saying mo gent was
in hurry and wouldn't want to look
around foI another hanson.
''Ihe least has been rested I'D and |
can take yec back at better gait, sir, {"
he said cheerfully, with grim
Goodenough first rang tho bell. He
was willing to help the lady as far as
no could without certainly compromis-
ing himself, but ho did not intend to
run unnecessary risks. If any one came,
he would ask if Mr. Wheeler was at
home, and if ho was not would then
ask to go to his room and write a note
for him. After n time, as no one re-
| sponded, he pretended to discover his
key with some surprise and boldly let
himself in.
He found tho rooms without any diff
Guilty from the directions Mrs Wheeler
had given to him, and they exactly an.
swered her description of them. He got
chair and placed tho box carefully on
tho top of the folding bed just as sho
had asked him to. He nearly dropped it
while doing this, owing toa pardonablo
nervousness.
Greatly relieved, he went back to the
other house. The "cabby" was as good
as his word and drove back rapidly,
the horse showing no disposition to be
"dazy" on any one of his legs. The la,
dy opened the door at once, received
back her key and unused letter and
wrung his handg with warm feeling.
81 cannot .hank you enough. This
must be lifo secret between u.s. But
If you will give me your card 1 shall be
glad to make your acquaintance after /
get back to my husband. I beg YOU to
accept this small token OF Woman 8
gratitude toward generous man.
The young man had given her his
card, "Mr. Goddard Goodcnough, I"
with his club address in the corner. AS
she said these last words she drew an
opal scarfpin from her corsage. 1t was
a stono that seemed to burn like coal,
and it was surrounded with tiny but
brilliant diamonds. In vain Goodcnough
sought to escape such costly present.
She forced it upon him, and he took his
leave, followed by her ardent thanks
and low voiced blessing.
Somehow, after it was all over, God