The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-04-25


guard. seized him, gagged him with
one hand, and bore him to the ground
swiftly and without resistance. Van
Tassel. who was but slight man, of
very little physical strength at any
time, was easily cverpowered, amt
would have been robbed instantly
and without struggle had not help
come to him as suddenly and une1-
pectedly as he had been attacked.
At the moment when Dolores had
appeared at the window, just after
recognizing Van Tassel, gentleman
who had been approaching from the
other direction, and who was stranger
to the country as we'll as to the
metropolis, paused and said to him
self, with laugh:
"a custom OF the country, L sup
pose, and much the same as IN other
countries, too-an American Romeo
and Juliet"
And as he stood for moment in the
shadow OF a tree, his very natural
suspicion seemed verified: and white
rose was flung down through the soft
May air and was caught and rap
turously kissed by the recipient.
What happened next was all so rapid
that no one of the participants could
have clearly described it; but the
effect was to bestow blackened eyes
and bloody noses on a couple OF
ruffians, who received these marks of
favor with howls aad execrations; and
when Dolores again-this. time int
alarm as we'll as surpriee-looked out
of the window, she saw the attacking
party in full retreat and Henri VAN
Tassel, much dlsheveled and visiblyg
excited, leaning against the shoulder
Of his rescuer. Nr, ~:
Dolores, who had seen too many
street fights not to understand and
whose first thought was for Van Tas-s
sell, ;few from the room, downstairs
and out into the street, without paus-
ing to think, and only took breath
when she stood beside Van Tassel and
held his trembling hands in hers.
,5.tI hope you are not hurt?" she
said then; butt it was the stranger
who replied to her; for Van Tassel,
suddenly aware Of the brandy he had
been drinking, shrank from her anG
SonlY wished that the earth would open
and swallow him. ~
"Your friend is not al all hurt, said
the stranger, whose voice was very
full and deep and musical; che is not
even robbed. I was just in time to-
frighten off the thieves before they
had secured the plunder."
sob, thank you!" said Dolores. IT
we, both of US, are very grateful.
Mr.. Van Tassel. please 50 directly
home, will you not? And, sir, if you
would do 80, it would be such kind
ness, will you put him in q carriage
and tell the driver to take care of him;
but, indeed, T don't know where he
lives"
Dolores remembered afterwards that
the stranger had raised his hat and
stood holding it in his hand, but bend
ing slightly toward her while she
spoke; and she was vaguely conscious
that she was being treated with as
much respect as if she had been
princess; but her cheeks were burning
like fire, (and she had dropped Van
Tassel's hand which she had held, and
which clung to her fingers, like that Of
a frightened child.
.....I will find out where to take him."
said the stranger, when she ceased
speaking, "and I will see him safely
home; you may trust me-"
:. ooh, thank you, thank you!" said
Dolores, and for brief second or two
their gaze, held each other, then he
bowed, and she turned aud disappeared
into the house.
She could scarcely have counted
sixty seconds since she left it, and yet
she felt that something had Happened
that was to change her whole life. The
stranger also felt that he could never
forget those eyes, so full of child-like'
confidence, so deep and dark with pas
sionate intensity,
"What a beautiful girl" he thought.
eWho can she be?" and turning to-
ward Van Tassel, ''but what choice
for lover!"
~ TO BE CONTINUED.