Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-04-15

short, a formal search was to be insti-:
tuted. An old gentleman, M. Cope,
had been unanimously selected to di-
rect this investigation just as l was
entering, and his first proposition was
that everyone should submit or, rath-
er, offer himself to be searched. AL
though the thing was rather offensive,
no one protested, and it was decided
that, after the servants, each person
present should be examined.
To tell the truth, all this seemed of
small Importance beside my personal
cares; and, with several others, l
awaited the end Of the adventure,
while M. Cope, his two witnesses and
our host, began the inspection of the
domestics.
Very soon fell again into my medi-
tation, my eyes fixed on the fireplace
as though there were a fire, when
suddenly I felt a light touch on my
elbow. raised my head with start,
to see my fiancee looking at me most
beseechingly. We were alone near the
freside and could talk in low tones
without being overheard. She MUIR
INJURED very low: gl
'If you love me, arrange that they
search you first; then try to be near
me, and, without being seen, try to
conceal the object that l. shall pass
you from behind"
My blood ran cold. This annoying
incident became terrible, filling me
with the most passionate trouble. l
looked at the girl in agony, but forced
myself to smilo, and whispered:
at shall be as you wish!"
My knees trembled, my mouth was
hot and dry. The feeling that over
! whelmed me was inexpressible. 1t
was a strange mingling of bitterness
and pleasure, that my loved one
should be weak to such degree. l
forced myself to have sort of dis
dainful pity, and in reality love beat
ardent, strong, stern in my breast. l
understood, in a flash. how beauty
could become divine above baseness
of soul, and how one could respect it
even in dishonor-and a hundred 9TH
er things in which were confused fer.
vent love, devotion without limit. a
desire noble and perverse.
Jeanne had thanked me with hard
ly perceptible movement Of the lips; /;
she stood by the wall with an air of
Indifference and pride!
"They are very long about It," she
said sternly. IN. Cope is man OF
method" someone replied. And 81,
lence followed which told more and
more on ones nerves, for even the
waiting in a peaceful frame of mind
| finished by disturbing and emptying
the brain, like a pump. However the
moment arrived when the searching
Of the servants ended, the door open
ed, disclosing OUR host. the two wit
nesses, and the old gentleman.
My heart beat fursously l felt my
self become terribly pale, but, con
cealing my agitation and steadying
my voice, I asked to be searched
| first.
M. Cope smiled at what he consid
cred the whim of young man, and
proceeded methodically to my exam
ination. 1 blushed. became pale
without anyone finding that peculiar
under the circumstances. When II
was over I made two or three steps
backward and found myself neal
Jeanne. She lowered her fan ant
handed me something with GOODNESS
that was only equalled by my calm
ness in seizing the object and plac
ing it in a.poclet of my coat. Aftel
which I leant against the fireplace
being now merely witness and above
all suspicion
M. Cope arch was unproductivt