The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-05-16

Nov, what does she mean, or what
does she want?" exclaimed Stanley.
'There is q menace in this which I
,an partly guess at, remembering that
she is, by this time, deep in Celestine's
confidence. But what is this particu-
lar information in regard to my fam
ily? Well, suppose the easiest way
to answer that is not to heep her wait
ing; for I may need all the information
can pick up in regard to my English
family"
He read the letter carefully o Sec
ond time, in order to impress it upon
bis memory, and then, having torn it
into fragments, he was presently on
his way to call on Olive Gaye. .
$50 good of you to come at once, l"
said Miss Gaye. Il felt sure it would
shock you less to hear of your bereave-
ment from an old friend of the family
than to have it come on you
with the abruptness of mere tele-
graphic news. from England, particu-
larly as you did not even know of their
illness. Poor Lord Appleby! There
has long been no hope, nor for the
dear child, either; but the boy died
first, and within IN hour the father.
NV news comes in the form of cable
dispatch, and, therefore, I have no
particulars; but, without doubt, Lord
Appleby's death was accelerated by
the death of his heir and only child"
A slight exclamation escaped the
lips of the Hon. Clarence Stanley, but
he instantly repressed all signs OF
emotion and, slowly sinking into the
chair indicated by his hostess when
he first entered the room. he sald
"Do you mean, Miss Gaye, that my
brother and his little son are both
dead?"
'Lord Appleby and his son are
Dead" returned Olive, with special
emphasis.
'Indeed!" exclaimed Clarence. "I
am shocked, truly, but 1 shall not
pretend to any great grief. We have
been long parted, you know, Miss
Gaye."
"Oh, yes, indeedr' assented Olive.
"And, since you know the affairs Of
my family 50 we'll, of course you know
that was never in sympathy with
them, nor they with me-"
."..s"t quite understand that" said
Olive.
"May inquire from whom you have
received your information, Miss
Gaye?"
"The dispatch is from dear old Tod
ilekins, Mr.. Stanley" replied Olive,
with a wicked smile. "Dear old Tod
dlekins, whom you have 80 entirely
forgotten. It would quite break her
heart to know this, for she simply
adored Clarence Stanley. 1t was she
who showed me the picture told you
of, you know, and the old darling has
actually lent it to me-"
She turned to an album on the table
and took from it photograph which
was lying loose within the leaves.
"I find it is not nearly 80 good
likeness of you as I thought; indeed,
if you will pardon the compliment, it
doesn't do you justice. You are very
much handsomer; but I'm afraid you
are q sad deceiver, Mr.. Stanley. See,
now, here is written by the beloved
hand OF that Clarence whom she
adored: TO his dearly loved friend,
Milicent Fairfax, and you cruelty de-
,lared that you didn't remember her
indeed your manner implied that
you were unconscious of her exist
snce."
She held the picture close to her
face for q moment, then her keen,
bright, penetrating eyes looked over
the top of it at the face of her COM
panion that was now very pale, but
Bet and defiant, and she only liked
him the better for that look, as she
thought:
eyes, he will fight, and with me to
back him we shall win, for we shall
both fight"
''It is long time ago, Miss Gage"
he said, seeing that she waited for en-
answer, "and I have poor memory,
sometimes"
Eyes, so I have Observed" said
Olive, "and yet-poor Celestine! She
remembers you SO well; it was too
cruel"
Her listener started violently; but
he wouldn't yield yet.
"Confound the woman!" he thought.
"How much does she know? And is
it knowledge or suspicion? What is
her game? I must know before
commit myself" #
"Celestine?" he repeated. "Really,
Miss Gaye, you have the advantage of
me-"
Eyes, indeed" laughed Olive, ct
think T have, Mr.. Carlos Mendoza"
The man before her cowered-in-
stinctiyely his glance wavered, and
he looked about as if for
some means of escape; but
the next moment he pulled himself
together saw and admired the
mental effort-and then he said, in
cold incisive tones:
"Perhaps it would be better if we
understood each other, without any
further fencing, Miss Gage; and if
we are going to row in the same boat
let Us pull in the same direction"
Olive gave laugh, full of delighted
appreciation.
You are man after my own heart,
Carlos" she said, "and like enough
to get it too"
"Ah, thanks, if it is as good as your
head, Miss Olive, it will be prize