The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-11-07
CHAPTER XVI.
"Do you know me?"
IN THE RAIN.

"Do you know me-"
eta! Yes, how do you do?"
It was evident that Mr.. Vernon was
irving hard to cast off surprise and
appear quite at ease; but lately he
had been finding this more difficult
than he was willing to acknowledge:
His mind had been disturbed, and
pne burning suspicion was falling
deeper and deeper into his heart.
He could not just then fairly under
stand why to see Burns standing be-
fore him should startle him so. True,
: Che old mans face and form were
clothed upon with an indescrlbabie
suggestion of weirdness; but to man
like Mr.. Vernon this could not be
source of mental disquiet; it was not
,pecially observed on the moment.
"I hope that you and your family
have been we'll and happy since the
y time of your great kindness to me-,
said Burns, offering his hand, which
Mr.. Vernon felt to be like ice when
he touched it.
Not the chill wind nor yet the al
most numbing rain could account for
the singular shiver and repulse which
came out of that hand-clasp into MIR.
Vernon's blood. 1t was like touching
the flesh of q corpse, only it was fur
colder. On the old wanderers cheeks
burned hectic spots.
"Yes-yes, we are all very we'll
yes, very we'll. I am glad to see you
again, sir. The ladies will be proud
to have you come. Why haven't you
been to the house?"
"I have been often but could not
get in. Your man thinks I'm beg
gar"
eta! I'llteaeh him better"
Evidently, the presence OF Burns,
while not exactly an annoy arce to
MIR. Vernon was by no means q pleas
ure. Aside from any effect produced
upon him by an-apparition so unex-
pected, and taking no account OF the
startling expression of the old preach
er's strangely emaciated face and con-
centrate6 gaze, there was something
inopportune, out.of-place and unwel-
come in the sudden meeting. We
have moments when any index to our
past is unbe arabic. Mr.. Vernon was
constrained; his manner and voice
were unnatural.
Burns eyed him O moment, then
said:
"No. Don't bother with it. I am
beggar, tramp, and I do not wish
to disturb happy family. What I
want is easily told"
"Speak it, my dear sir, speak it; it
is already yours.
Mr.. Vernon was still holding that
clammy hand and looking firmly and
kindly, albeit with sort of artificial
expression, into Burns's deep-sunken
and inaaned eyes.
"No, that is q polite lie. Wait till
I make my desire known, then see if
you can be generous"
eta! I see you are i'll. Come in
and have some wine"
''I drink nothing but water. am
not i'll. I am we'll and strong and
shall reach my goal soon."
'T am glad to hear it, sir-very
glad, indeed"
Mr.. Vernon wanted to shake him
of for the present and so into the
club-room of the Chats -Huants; he
wanted to see Colonel Loring again;
but Burns would not be abandoned.
'I am close on the track of Pierre
Rameau, he said, ''and want your
help. Turn your hand for me now,
and T have him."
Mr.. Vernon stood silent, and q
peculiar shadow crept over his face.
"Ab, I see you are quite prompt,
quite ready" exclaimed Burns, after
q mere moment. The irony was
merciless.
"What do you mean, sir?" demand
ed Mr.. Vernon. A gray film of pas
sion or of some other deep feeling
crept over his cheeks above the beard.
Bah! Where were you going just
now?" demanded Burns, as if with
authority.
"Sirr'
81 can tell you. You were going
upstairs, in there, to the room of the
Chats -Huants, to meet Pierre Rameau,
the 1obber."
"Sir!'
''You know that it is So"
''It is not true-it is"
"Don't be angry. Stop and think.
Stop and turn about. I like you; I
owe my life to you. I would save
yours now. Don't go in there"
Two or three suspicious-looking fell
lows came near and acted as if they
were trying to overhear what was be-
ing said. Perhaps they thought it
was a quarrel that would end in q
fight, the most interesting thing in the
world TO such characters.
Burns, like the Ancient Mariner,
was holding his auditor with his gilt
tering eye. The wedding-guest was
not more enthralled than was Mr..
Vernon, albeit the latter turned
abraptly aud would hear no more for
the moment. He could not, however,
scar himself loose from the old man,
who followed him and stepped again
in front Of him, now laying his hand
on his top coats lapel and thrusting
his eager, cadaverous lips close. to his
ear.
"Come aside somewhere, only for a
minute. Don't stay here-for heavens
l. Il -.