The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-09-23
~, man and cdn1d NOT have left him

IN the new emplOymeul Ill "ulcu be
was then engaged. So, with the first
opportunity that presented itself Mr..
Degraw went to the police headquar'
te-s, and asking for Mr.. Byrd was
shown into an Office, where he was re.
uuested to wait till that person should
be at liberty.
This was new occupation for this
man of ideals, and he began to wish
that he had remained at home with his
finished Dream" and his yet-to-be'
painted Reality" But as the moments
flew he began to be interested in the
surroundings, in spite of himself, and
by the. time Byrd finally made his ap'
pearance had already captured upon
the leaves of the small sketch book he
invariably carried with him the out
lines of one or two heads to match the
voices which had foated to him from
the adjoining rooms.
"Degraw, is that you"
There was surprise in the gena!
tones; an artist and a detective do not
often meet.
$50 you have not forgotten me?"
Forgotten you, and you the most IA.
nous of the rising school of artists!
Well, no, have not forgotten you, but
I certainly thought, and with but little
surprise, l own, that you had forgotten
me-"
Young Degraw blushed, fer in GER
tain sense he had done this. byrd saw
il. but took no offense. He knew his
position, and did not expect much
sympathy out of his own circle. smll-
ing he hastened to relieve the others
embarrassment.
"You want something from me. AT.
fairs have gone amiss with you. OF
you are in difficulty Of some kind.
Well, I am your man. I have had ex'
perierce lately, and it is all at your
service"
Mr.. Degraw felt relieved Of a weight.
There wasin the detectives regard such
an evidence Of kindly instincts and
straightforward purpose. He at once
felt that here was his best counselor,
and if necessary assistant. To him be
could reveal the whole truth, and from
him receive just the aid which the CIR
cumstances demanded.
Giving him a look full Of recognition
Mr.. Degraw Immediately unburdened
his heart.
you say I want something" he cried.
II do; want to learn the fate OF q
young girl-why do you start at that"
The detective, who certainly had
started, recovered himself instantly.
Did start:" he asked, with an as
sumption of carelessness. go on, De-
graw. You wish to learn the fate of
young girl, you say
"Yes," assented the artist; "a young
girl whom 1 have seen but once, but
who, in that one interview awakened
in me so lively an interest that l can
never rest till have gathered some
knowledge Of her present whereabouts.
He: name may not be unknown to you.
1t is Selma Valdi, or, rather" he cor
rected himself almost in the same way
in which she had done, "that is the
name by which she is known at pres.
ent. Her real name l am not acquaint-
ed with. She began to tell me and got
as far as saying Jenny and there she
stopped"
Mr.. Byrd, whose interest seemed to
have fallen off with the first explana-
tian, recovered his eagerness at the
last.
Jenny" he repeated, Jenny. What
pity you did not hear the last name!
And she has disappeared! Tell me the
whole story; am anxious to hear it."
Whereupon Mr.. Degraw related his
late adventure, while Byrd listened
eagerly, and when all was finished
looked the more serious of the two.
"I wish she had told you her whole
name" he repeated. what remark
able adventure"
"But the signorina! What do you
suppose has become Of her?'
"That we must find out. Not that l
should consider it in our province to
do so, if"
IF what, Byrd?"
But the detective did not answer; he
was looking at Degraw very thought
fully.
"You seem to be more interested"
said he, ''in this young girl than men
usually are after single interview"
Single interviews are not often OF
such nature" returned Degraw.
Besides, there was something about
her so touching that it would have
taken a harder heart than mine to re-
sist so much innocence and beauty"
II can believe it," assented the other.
Then, with a sort Of precipitancy, he
exclaimed: Ozark eyes, did you say,
dark hair inclined to curl and 4 beauti-
full figure. Mr.. DeSraw, am sorry to
inform you that We have just received
notice that q person answering to this
description has been found"
where, where:"
To be continued.
Emerson's Persistent Optimism.
rho oo,+rost nffnred nv tho sunny