The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-05-09
CHAPTER XXI.
A PLEASING ALTERNATIVE.

When Clarence Stanley reached his
room, the conflicting feelings that had
been agitating him since he met Do
lores that day had all been merged in
to o burning rage, and that emotion
was now at o white heat. His first
act was to collect into a heap, in the
middle of the floor, all the books on
mesmerism, clairvoyance and kindred
subjects which Van Tassel had brought
to him; he then relieved his. feelings
by kicking the lot, collectively and
separately.
"Infernal rubbish!" he finally
wound up, with feeling of positive
refreshment ut this relief to his pent-
up fury, modification and disappoint-
ment. "a pretty muddle I have made
of the whole affair--pctting my foot
in it is nowhere! I have jumped into
the bog up to my waist, and every step
I might make I would only founder
deeper. That idiot Van-he said I
would burn my fingers, and I've done
it! He fears ME and believes my will
all-powerful, because drink and opium
have destroyed his own. Well, there,
at least, I am safe, and will use him
for my advantage. For the rest, I
must look things squarely in the face
and make a new DEAL"
( And, as if to facilitate this, letter
was at this moment handed in at the
door, and the waiter delivered it with
the words that it had been brought
'"by messenger, with orders to put it
directly into Mr.. Stanley's hand"
"A woman's message, of course, I"
thought Stanley, with q slight feeling
of perturbation; for he felt that in the
eyes of the Hamilton family he was
covered with the most shameful con-
tempt, and might even expect to be
called to very sharp account by Mary's
father. ~"From Polly, I suppose. I
can never see the girl again-no, not
even If she were willing to forgive
everything. A girl who could forgive
that scene to-day would be insupport-
able. Not all old Hamilton's millions
could redeem her, though I am fond of
gold"
This Stanley said to himself, with
that curious desire to whitewash his
character in his own eyes, that comes,
at times, to the worst sort of men. In
reality, he was wishing in his inrnost
heart thats things might turn out so
that he could make up with Polly,
hasten their marriage and settlesdown
to the comfortable possession Of 'old
Hamilton 3 millions;" and as he turned
the letter about and glanced at the ad'
dress on it, he was conscious.o dis.
tinct throb of disappointment at see.
ing that the handwriting was wholly
unknown to him. He tore it open at
orce and glanced at the signature, and
his disappointment was changed tc
amazement and curiosity.
solve ,Gaye," he read. "Now,
what on earth can that girl have to say
to me? She is deep one, and it was
she who brought Celestine to call on
Polly Hamilton. What new compli'
cation is waiting for me?
Dear Mr.. .Stanley"-wrote Miss
Gaye-"I am sure you will pardon the
liberty take in addressing you wher
I explain the reason. I cannot feel,
anyway, that we are strangers, having
known your dear papa and the rest Of
the family 80 well, and being also
aware of the unfortunate misunder.
standing between you and your rela'
tives. But for that, dear Mr.. Stanley,
1 should not be in a position to offer
you the important news now in my
possession, for you would have known ii
first. AS it is, both you and the news
paper-reading public at large will be in
possession of it-perhaps to-mor.
row morning; and that is why I wish
to say that it is absolutely necessary
for your future happiness and comfort
that you should see me first. I shall
remain at home all day, and I have
given orders that no one shall inter-
rupt the confidential conversation
which I am now ready to have with
you. Do not, I beg of you, keep me
waiting one minute longer than is alb
solutely necessary. It will be very
impolite in you and very unAattering
to me, but above all, it will be dlsas'
trous to your future"
This remarkable effusion then ended
by the writer subscribing herself:
"Dear Mr.. Stanley's sincere and
constant friend, OLIVE GAZE"
TO BE CONTINUED.