The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-11-25

Ills SlIOuS Up dDu Il HUSH OL LIS Keen
eyes. "As the insulted party, 1 have
certainly the right to refuse them. But
] am something more than an insulted
party; am q gentleman and an honest
one; therefore, if you have anything to
ask. ask it, will be brief but straight
forward in my replies"
A cold perspiration started out upon
the artists brow, but he pursued un-
finchingly the course into which fate
had led him.
You will answer questions?" said
he. perhaps, then, you will be kind
enough to tell me whether you came
directly here from Cleveland?'
II did not"
"Have you been staying, then. in
New York and was it from that place
you travelled to this spot?'
You have said it. have been in New
York, and it was from there I came no
later than to-day on the 5 o'clock ex'
press. Would you like to know what
baggage I brought and what was the
amount of the fee I gave to the por-
ter?"
II wish to know nothing but what
vitally concerns myself and the well
fare of person dearer to me than my
self. Miss Rogers"
"Ahw
There was 4 change in the strangers
manner. He seemed at once 10 have
received a hint to the mystery of the
others antagonism.
rs the bearer" imperturbably con-
tinued the artist, "of 4 name that has
lately been the mark for peculiar
shafts Of fortune. AS the lady is dear
to me-you will pardon me the self
revelation given by these words -
have constituted myself the shield to
protect her against the assaults which
have overwhelmed girls of lesser con-
sequence and attainments. If, there
fore, you have ever spoken to any
other person by the name of Jenny
Rogers do not think you will be al
lowed to speak to this one. If you
have not
"Sirw interposed the other haughtily.
"you are a madman. Not speak to
Miss Rogers? Why, if she were your
wife I should address her if pleased,
that is, if she allowed me the privilege
of doing so. and think she would"
This shaft, which was only too deft-
ly leveled, struck home at once. The
artist recoiled, and stammered some
Intellectual words before be returned to
the attack.
Miss Rogers is no judge Of her own
danger" he finally remarked. IF she
were you might expect less indulgence
on her part
The stranger laughed.
"You show an ignorance" he assert.
ed, both of my nature and the charac-
ter of my interest in Miss Rogers that
excuses you for much more folly than
you evince in this interview. Danger
does not menace Miss Rogers, that is,
not from me, but if it did, you have
scarcely taken the wisest means to
avert It,"
This was only too true. Carried
away by his feelings the artist had al.
lowed himself to go further than his
own judgment approved. But to be
told of it by his adversary was humil.
iating and did not serve to increase his
satisfaction. 1t was, therefore. in a
bitter enough tone that he replied:
II have but done as any honest man
would do. I have reasons for distrust-
ing you and tell you so. All that I
shall add to what have already said
is this: That if grief or any peril comes
to Miss Rogers I shall know where to
look for its cause. Neither your SEEM
ing good breeding nor the dignity
which invests your person and conver-
sation shall save you in that hour from
a revenge that will have not only love
but the law to back it. So beware!"
He turned away; the stranger looked
after him doubtfully and took one step
as if to follow him. But this determin-
alton did not hold. and Mr.. Degraw, Of
Cleveland, remained silent and un-
moved, while the other passed slowly
down the paths till he reached one Of
the two gates which guarded the
place. There the artist paused, and
his antagonist, convinced that he
would go no further while he himself
remained on the ground, was good ma
turcd enough to or wise enough to turn
away toward the other gate. The
watcbful artist, perceiving this, passed
out, and presently the two could be
seen hasting through the street, the
one toward the hotel, the other toward
the neighboring dwelling which held
his rooms.
Would they have passed so lightly
had they possessed the power Of per-
ceiving the girlish figure that sat be-
hind one Of those open easements upon
which they now turned their backs?
I wot not, for in the eager face up
lifted to the moon there was look
which puzzles US and would have puz-
zled them. Was she listening? Was
she dreaming? Was she hoping2 Is
it a spell Of delight or Of apprehension
which holds her enthralled and makes
her statue Of wakcfulness amid O
household of sleepers? We may not
know at present. Will the time ever
come when we shall?
To be continued.