The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-10-29
TO remain with his wife. should Alice

| the question. His conscience and IN
tegrity, the whole man in him. forbade
that. He would prove the dream either
trHp or false. even though the result
might break his heart.
The next day. therefore. hc Instructed
his valet TO pack his portmantraus. an"
forward the same to him. directly he
sent for them. Then he called on MS
lawyer. au old college chum.
George" he said. brokenly. gripping
his hand. certain circumstances have
arisen which may necessitate my leav'
inc the country. shall know definite
" tomorrow night. Everything Is hor'
ribly unreal. as yet. But there. ask me
no details. there's a good fellow. Only
pladre your word TO take this EXPLAIN.
;iou to my wife. Comfort her. George.
in memory Of the old days. Let no
harm befalI her. don't allow her to
crieve or fret, settle my affairs for
her."
And ere the astonisheti man OF law
could accept or refuse the trust. Horace
had rushed away.
How the intervening hours passed.
Horace was never clearly conscious.
The appointed time. however. ut last
drew near. aud faint and haggard. he
quickly repaired to the place Of meet
ing. anxious. yet dreading. to learn the
worst. Jedrey was already there. and
stepped forward from the shadow OF
one Of the arches.
That's right" he said hriskly. I'm
glad | did not mistake my man.
Brought the money. I suppose"
why else should be here" replied
Horace. striving TO conceal his trem.
bling apprehension. "Yet even You
cannot expect me to pay until Alice is
produced alive"
THAT Is easily DONE" said Jcdrey.
keenly enjoying his discontinue. Fol
low ME: it isn't far"
Detected and wretched. with every
hope now shattered. Horace trudGed
mournfully in the wake OF his guide.
Yet had they thought to look behind.
they must have inevitably detected
three figures creeping stealthily after
them.
Presently ! dull patch Of light he'
came visible. 1t shone from the win
dow Of a small. square cottage. old and
diia pidated. whose door opened readily
10 The touch.
The interior was n combined living
AMI sleeping apartment. 4 low. filthy
bed occupied one corner
10 4 chair at the side sat. or rather
Swlyed. q woman truly indescrlbahle.
Cuarse matted hair hun: danky about
her head and shoulders. Her features.
r,ran and washed. must have been
more than repellant; but. black. grimy,
bloated. grinning. they presented an ap'
p.arance shocking and repulsivc In the
extreme.
Hello. Horny. old boy" she cried.
how are you? Come. give us a kiss.
iear!e! What! Is my cherub shy?
Tia! Ia! ha. Then let me give You
one
The banker surveyed her silently.
iumbly. blankly. There had been 10
deception. no tricSery.
Are you satisfied yet:" qucried jed
rey. Sardonically. Perhaps you would
like srill further proof. Alice" he com.
nan,lrd. turning to her. show him
Your marriage certificate"
"Ha. ha. hat giggled Alice. fumbl!ns
among the folds OF her tattered .lrrss.
"rruos does he want. eh? Pretcnds
M, to know his loving wifcy. does he:
See she added. drawin: forth a
rrumpled document. and lurrhin. to-
ward him with It: there you are.
slra rie. In black and white-
Suddenly. however. the dooT few
wide back. and George Grimmel'. dart.
ing inside. hastily snatched the paper
aud scanned 1t eagerly.
"Hurrah" he shouted. throwing
asvl- the drunken woman. wno
stl;nbled across the bed and passively
lay there. half sobercd by surpris'.
AS I imagined! before she met YOU:
Mixed the certificates! Officer. officer.
"utrh that man! Quick: don't let him
escape: That's It: slip the iingles on
him. Horace" he continued. shakin:
his hand excitcdly. you're fool.
Don't you comprehend. man? Jcdrcy's ;
her husband-her real and frs, one!
Aud Lucy's your wife-your second
auI true one."-New York News.