The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-22

Water Bird. Fairfax watched him
climb the rope from the gig to the
deck; and at the request of Mr.. Yer.
non went forward to be introduced to
him.
The two young men shook hand and
their eyes met steadily and frankly.
ANY shrewd observer would have saia
that they were mutually we'll i'm
pressed at first glance.
Edouard Ballanche was q creole
from head to foot; that is, he was
Frenchman modified by the influences
of American birth and experience. In
his face burned the half-subdued fire
CT a passionate Jet naturally gentle
and tender natures fortified and
specialized by intimate acquaintance
with almost every form of danger.
You might have read in his eyes that
he had seen duels; that life, though
precious to him, was worn as gar.
ment to be flung aside as lightly as
coat or glove; that honor was q word
of unlimited significance to him. In
speech he showed that deliberate
facility which always suggests the cut
and thrust md parry of master
swordsman. The impression he made
was one of efficiency, courage and
readiness, singularly blended with
lightness, grace and superficial good
humor.
He shook hands cordially with Mr..
Vernon, and turned to acknowledge
the introduction of Fairfax just as
Pauline came from below.
81 took you for q pirate" said Mr..
Vernon, land was running away from
you as fast rs I could, I thought; but
here we are, boarded by you, and at
your mercy"
"The mistake was mutual, sir; l
thought that you were on unlawful
business of some sort, and have been
all night afraid that you had got away
from me. am compelled to be vigi-
liant now; I hope, sir, that have not
troubled you too greatly" -
"Your vigilance is something that
no American patriot can grumble ct,
said Mr.. Vernon. "Is there anything
new from the seat of war? Anything
about to turn pp?" -.
"Nothing has been made public" !"
replied the Lieutenant, guardedly.
"What may transpire at any moment
is hard to foresee; doubtless we shall
have our turn at the game of war
down here in due time.
"You may speak freely in the pres
ence of my friend here" remarked
Mr.. Vernon, with a smile at Bal
lanche's caution, concealed almost
though it was; she is one of u.s."
IT should trust him with my life,"
promptly responded the lieutenant,
giving Fairfax again that straight
frank look of perfect confidence.
"What I wanted to say to you, Mr..
Vernon, is that it is not safe to keep
your family or your property any
longer at Bay Saint Louis. The Erit-
ish may sail in upon us any day; in
deed, we are expecting them soon."
It was hard for Lieutenant Bal.
lanche, with all his politeness, TO keep
his gaze away from Pauline.
Fairfax was not aware that she had
!. come on deck, else he, would have
noticed the suppressed enthusiasm OF
Ballanche's glances toward the hatch
way.
As soon as Mr.. Vernon discovered
the presence of his daughter; he took
Lieutenant Ballanche by the arm and
led him toward her.
Fairfax turned in time to see the
tall creole bowing low over her hand.
Mr.. Vernon stood there like some
grizzly giant of old, his shoulders and
head looming heavily, while his
daughter seemed to reflect upon him
suggestion Of youthfulness blend
ing with his show of years. Fairfax
saw that Mr.. Vernon regarded the
young officer with emphatic interest
and confidence, gave him distinguished
consideration indeed. and that this
marked attention seemed to be re-
ceived quite asa matter of course.
There was but short conversation,
and certainly nothing important was
said; nevertheless, in some indirect
way Fairfax caught from it a singu.
larl y vivid impression of being thrust
far away and Of passing out of con-
sideration.
After little while, however, Bal
lanche bowed to Pauline, and taking
MIR. Vornon's arm with confidential
touch, led him to farther part ofthe
deck where they could converse with
out being overheard.
(TO BE CONTINUED.