The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-04-24

| me CQlQh Ol LILY lulllii VI A>oSNN' '
fact causes me to remember him. AT
the time he was just back of Tanner;
indeed, not five feet separated them"
Just so," remarks Sandy, signih'
cantly.
IAN idea strikes me-"
"Well, let's hear it."
"It is possible that had Tanner been
forced into conclusions with the baron,
he would have been set upon by these
Thugs"
II am positive of it"
"Such a thing would explain the
confident assurance of the barou."
YES"
"a brilliant thought comes to me,
Sandy"
II can guess it, old fellow"
I'm knocking Demosthenes Tanner
out, was really doing him the great
est favor"
mo doubt Of it." +.
Saving his life" -'-'-----'-
"They would have nearly or quite
finished him."
IF she could only be induced to see
the thing in that light"
depend upon it, Joe, my dear fel-
low, she shall I myself will under
take to open her eyes"
"God bless you, Sandy"
Zone good turn deserves anot her.
You gave me a monopoly of your
startling news, and that is something
1 can never repay. Rest assured that
when Sandy Barlow has had his tete-
a-tete with Miss Molly she will believe
you a god"
Heavens, don't draw it too strong,
my boy"
II shall deceive her only in one
thing"
What is that?"
"You knew or suspected the truth
when you rushed into the breach"
"That will hardly do, for you remem-
Der 1 thought the small man was her
father"
"Bosh! Don't tell her that-she will
feel insulted-thinks the old governor
is the handsomest in the world. No,
no, you must have suspected the truth
beforehand-well give you the bene-
fit of the doubt, anyway"
"Take q look across-as 1 live, that
little fiend is himself telling Molly
the truth. Notice the look upon her
face-she can't wholly believe him.
Confound the villain, he's got the start
Of me! Now, what am I to do, my
good friend?
Joe has been considerably shaken
up by what he has just seen, and he
turns to his companion for consola-
tion.
Fortunately, Sandy is equal to the
emergency, and quickly responds:
Leave Miss Molly to me, Joe. I'll
undo all that rascal has built up, and
establish you in her heart more firm
ly than ever" he says, at which the
traveller squeezes his hand in way
that marks his gratitude.
Again 1 say, bless you, my boy.
what q fix 1 would be in, only for
your genius in arranging things"
Don't mention it. Time may be
near at hand when poor Sandy shall
have need Of your strong, right hand
who knows"
And willingly shall it be placed at
his disposal. But, see here, l ought
to have hand in my own redemption
i don't like the idea Of standing
around doing nothing while you ac-
complish the work"
That's just like a man of your size,
Joe. Well. 1 see no reason why you
shouldn't hold your end of the log"
"Goodw
while win over the daughter, you
can be patching up the peace with the
awful dad"
Good heaven, face that tartar again!
I'd sooner take whipping"
Hush! He's her dear old governor
"a savage I'll admit, someways, but
the better you know him the more
you'll find in Demos to admire. 'Dia-
mond in the rough, you see."
Exactly. Well, I do admit I could
see something of sterling character
back of the exterior. Yes, I'd even
grow to like the old bear, if need be-"
For Molly's sake" says Sandy, sly
ly.
For Molly's sake" returns Joe, un-
abashed.
See here, old chap, don't you think
you're-well, rushing matters?"
How so?'
Just got in tonight from Khartoom
fought q duel on Esbehiyeh square
and already arranging to make way
with your rival for the hand Of the
belle Of Cairo, whom you have met
Tonight"
DO you mean Molly?" interrupted
Joe.
"Of course, man."
You forget, Sandy, she has belonged
to me for whole year. / saved her
from death in the Mediterranean at
Malta, and ever since her fair face
has haunted me, sleeping or waking.
| felt that, If lived, we would come
together somewhere. You don't know
what solace it has been to me, in
times Of danger, to think that l had
been able to do her a service and that
this invisible bond united US, though
we might be thousands of leagues
apart"
Il see. you're gone case, Joseph"
Proud to admit it, Sandy. Think of
the peculiar circumstances that unite
us, outside of the fact that l saved
her life, and that both of us are crazy