The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-28
CHAPTER XIII.
A CHARGE THAT WOULD SHAKE MOST
MEN.

MEN.
Two weeks went by; two long and
wearisome weeks for Hamilton De-
graw. who, having received nothing
save two wholly unsatisfactory notes
from Mr.. Byrd, found himself the
prey of innumerable anXieties, which
rather showed a tendency to increase
than diminish with the lapse of time.
He had not been idle, but his work
bad been entirely expended upon the
picture Of the signorina, which he was
transferring to canvas. In this he
found delight, but no pleasure what
ever in anything else that he under
took to do. Even the society OF
friends was burdensome, and, If he
left his studio at all it was to stray in
the direction Of the police headquar.
tiers, or to haunt such places as had
become Of interest to him through as
sociation with the name Of Jenny Rog-
ers.
1t was how June and very warm.
He was sitting by open windows
painting. He was tired and heart
sick and discouraged. The work upon
which he should be engaged stood
neglected in one corner, while the
work which alone interested him was
to him at once pain and a disappoint-
ment. He could not catch the look
which made her beauty so individual
and alluring. 1t was in his mind, it
was in his heart, but it would not
grow from beneath his brush. He had
an impulse to make bonfire Of sketch
and painting both, and had even half
risen to tear them from his easel when
a rude knock was heard at the door
and a messenger boy came in with
telegram. 1t was from Byrd, and
raised his spirits at once.
Found; all is well; will see you
soon."
He was gazing rapturously at the
sketch which now appeared beautiful
to him when the young detective came
in. He was looking tagged out, but
jubilant. 1t was evidently great sat-
isfaction to him that he had succeeded
in his efforts.
II am on my way to report at police
headquarters" said he, but I thought
it would relieve your mind to know
just where the signorina is"
1T will, it will! You are good fell
low, Byrd, and I am sure you merit
more than my mere thanks. Where
in the city is she? And how does she
look, for take it for granted you have
seen her"
"She is not in the city at all. She is
with Miss Aspinwall at her country
seat in Great Darlington"
with Miss Aspinwall! She could
not be in better company, could she,
Byrd? But how came you to find her,
and have you seen her or not?'
"No, I have not seen her. In the be.
ginning Of my search I visited Miss
Aspinwall and astonished her very
much by telling her that the signorina
had come to life. She had seen her in
her grave clothes, and was disposed
for some time to doubt this astonish-
ing assertion of mine, but when she
was finally convinced she showed so
much pleasure in the news that 1t was
very evident she was true admirer
| OF the slgnorina. So gave her some
| idea Of the anxieties suffered by the
friends of the missing singer, and cas-
lily elicited from her a promise to let
| me know II she received any kEowl-
edge OF the signorinas whereabouts.
I looked for no results to follow this
effort, but herein was wrong, for
this morning, just AS, in sheer despair,
was on the point Of giving up my
search, came a letter from this lady.
saying that the signorina had sudden
ly appeared IN the same town as her
self-that is. in Great Darlington
and that if wished to communicate
with her I should find her ct the writ
er's own house, where she had been
induced to remain for few days"
"If I only knew some one in Great
Darlington" sighed the artist.
"Pooh! You must know dozen"
Degraw shook his head. but he was
very cheerful. Notwithstanding: life
had reassumed its ancient aspect. and
he cast loving glances at his lately de-
spssd painting.
Mr.. Byrd smiled. uttered some words
of admiration and then turned to 60.
But before he left he remarked:
"Yo;1 mnst not be astonished IL in