The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-12-31
WALTER BLOOMFIELD


puxr B,sxsAss Boss 80
when I embarked at Liverpool had
steadily increased during the voyage.
ana at times had hardly been able
to endure my own communings. AZ
ter the exhaustive consideration Of my
position and prospects engendered BY
eirht days Of self-sought isolation In
my cabin, the vista before me did not
appear nearly so rosy as I had at first
pictured it. Thoughts Of the death OF
Adams now tormented me more than
was the case Immediately after that
tragic event. Though I could not IN
Justice reproach myself with having
killed the old man. and was comforted
by the positive evidence Of DR.. Thur
low to that effect, yet I well knew that
at beet my act had hastened the old
mans decease, and who could say by
how much? As I reflected how DELI
cate was the distinction between my
act and manslaughter suffered pangs
Of remorse. Consideration, too. OF my
other affairs was not calculated to at
ford me much relief. Here was
young Englishman with little or no ex.
perience OF the world, homeless, heir
to q small impoverished estate which
he would probably not inherit for thir.
ty years, owner Of 200 pounds and o
handbag. come to New York to marry
a young lady worth millions OF e..
larsi why. the idea seemed too pre-
posterous for anyone but . dreamer
to entertain. But the die was cast.
and the course entered upon must be
persevered In to the end. Had 1t been
possible for me tn live my days over
again I should probably have made
other and equally disastrous errors.
Though It was Sunday, and the great
stores were closed, Broadway was
thronged with well-dressed. prosperous
looking people. not much unlike such
az one sees In the principal thorough
fares OF European capitals. After q
long sea voyage q walk 10 essential to
most people for adjusting the physical
equilibrium which has been 20 rudeiy
disturbed. I found Il 30. and grasp
ing my hand sachel bent my steps up
town as I had done on the occasion Of
my first coming to New York. Not
long afterward Ipaused before my un-
cle's house, and was struck with con.
sternation when observed that the
blinds were all drawn down and the
shutters closed.
Sounds Of much unbolting and un-
barring reached me before the door
was opened In response to my sum-
mons, and then I was informed by a
man servant, whose face remem'
bered, that Mr.. Truman was staying
at the Windsor Hotel. and had left
word that ne would like me to call
upon him there.
"Are Mrs. Truman and Miss Marsh
with him% I inquired. greatly sur
prised at this intelligence.
"I believe not" replied the man.
looking aside In q strange way that
discouraged further questioning. How.
ever, inquired Of him the where
abouts Of the Windsor Hotel, and
being informed that 1t. was close at
hand on Fifth avenue. I went there as
quickly as I could. more perturbed
than ever. When presented my card
to the clerk who had charge Of the en-
trance han Of that colossal hotel. he
at once deputed q waiter to conduct
me to my uncle's apartments. ut the
same time telling me that Mr.. Tru.
man had remained indoors the whole
Of yesterday In expectation Of my ar
rival.
"Ahw exclaimed uncle Sam. as be
laid his cigar on the mantelpiece and
advanced to meet me. "you are the
man I need! I received your cable
gram. and would have replied to 1t had
It been possible. but you were already
ON the water. perceive you are well.
30 lose no time IN telling me as briefly
as you can about those Internal Sc
quins. for I am In haste TO tell you
something Of infinitely greater impor-
tance."
Ny uncle's manner alarmed me. He
seemed to be laboring under sup.
pressed excitement, and as he resumed
his cigar and walked up and down the
large room. his whole aspect impressed
me as strangely different from the self.
possessed. confident man who had ex-
cited my boyish wonder. Could It be
that the enormous resources Of this
able fnancier had at last been broken
by, O combination for that purpose
such as one not unfrequently hears Of
In the country Of his adoption? I
could not conceal my fear. and gave
timid expression to 1t.
"No, no." said uncle Sam, impa.
tiertly. as q forced smile overspread
his features: nothing Of the kind. Get
on with your story"
To hear was to obey. At no time
was uncle Sam q man to trife with.
and least Of all at the present moment.
When had completed my account Of
my mission to England he paused in
front Of me Qor during my recital he
had not once ceased to pace the room.
and throwing away the end Of his
cigar said:
ut is as I supposed. Though you
are probably now farther OF than ever
from the recovery of the sequins, and
the result Of your expense and trouble
IL merely the addition Of another in
| habitant to the unknown world. l