The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-10-09
II couldn't gee. 1t was dark, you

II couldn't see. 1t was dark, you
know"
But you're sure it was woman, Of
course"
There was, perhaps, note of inter.
est in Claris's irony this time.
YES" answered Lowndes, with a
little more decision, II am sure Of that.
She moved like a woman, and had a
woman's head and a woman's skirts.
I saw her head as she got out Of the
window. I saw her skirts moving
about before me when got down to
the ground"
And that's all you've got to say?
Now, Nell, tell us what you saw"
And he turned triumphantly to his
niece.
Nell was standing opposite the win.
dow, and the gray light Of the morn
ing came over the top Of the shutters
full on her face. 1t was white, weary,
and there were dark lines under the
eyes, which were heavy and luster1ess.
Every word she uttered bore-so the
young man thought-an odd stamp as
of truth and sincerity.
II woke up suddenly, hearing a loud
noise. I saw the door fall in and
some one rush through and get out OF
the window. I sprang up and looked
out, and saw this gentleman sliding
down from the roof of the Clubhouse on
to the ground"
II didn't see you," interrupted
Lowndes, sharply, with another doubt.
"You did not look up," replied the
girl, with composure. "You ran away
through the garden to the right. 1
dressed quickly, and ran downstairs
and out by the back door to see what
was the matter. When got out you
had scrambled up the bank and were
talking to my uncle"
Lowndes said nothing; there was
nothing to say. But, although it is
true that he had not given much at
tention when he burst into the upper
room to anything but the window and
the escaping figure, he felt convinced
that if there had been person in bed
in the room he should have seen her,
or heard some cry, some word, to indi.
cate her presence.
"Now, you've heard another story.
And, begging your pardon, I'd sooner
take her word than yours"
But" suggested Lowndes in a con.
ciliatory tone, "do the two stories con-
tradict each other? All this young
lady says is that she did not see the
woman pass through her ROOM"
mo, nor any one else, either" burst
out George Claris, as If his patience
was at last exhausted. can look here
Il won't stand no man coming down
here to spy about, and taking fancies
into his. head, and breaking into the
rooms Of my house-not for nobody,
and 80, sir, you can just 60 up stairs
and pack your portmanteau and clear
out between this and breakfast time.
Not another bit nor drop will you be
served with under my roof. And you
may just tell the three young scoun-
drels that sent you that whatever they
likes to call themselves they're no
gentlemen. IL know them, you see.
I know you were put up to this by
Jordan, King and Co."
"Uncle! uncle! No; Mr.. King never
sent him. I will answer for that!"
And Nell's face became suddenly
crimson with a blush that betrayed
her secret.
Lowndes was touched.
you're right" he said to her, very
simply. "Mr. King knew nothing
about my coming" He turned to
Claris. LET me have my bill," be
said, II will go at once"
And the young man, ashamed Of his
own action, but more perplexed every
moment, as he considered, from every
point Of view, his singular adventure,
left the Blue Lion within the next
twenty minutes, and returned to town
to relate his experience to Otto Cony-
beare and Willie Jordan.
To be Continued.