The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-10-01
Copxri.ht.
CHAPTER XVI.
IN THE RkIE.

trying hard to cast oE surprise a.'N
appear quite at ease; but lately lie
had been finding this more difficult
than he was willing to acknowledge.
His mind had been disturbed, aud
one burning suspicion was falling
deeper and deeper into his heart.
He could not just then fairly under
stand why to see Barns standing be-
fore him should startle him SO. True,
the old mans face and form were
clothed upon with an iudescribab'c
suggestion OF weirdness; but to a man
like Mr.. Vernon this could not DO
source OF mental disqaiet; it was rot
specially observed on the moment.
81 hope that you and your family
have been well aud happy siuce the
time Of your great kindness to me"
said Burns. Offering his hand, which
Mr.. Vernon felt to be like ice when
he touched it.
Not the chill wind nor yet the al
most numbing rain could account for
the singular shiver and repulse which
came out of that hand-clasp iuto Mr..
yernon's blood. 1t was like touching
the flesh of corpse, only 1t was far
colder. On the old wanderers cheeks
burned hectic spots.
"Yes-yes, We are all very well-
yes, very we'll. I am glad to see you
again, sir. The ladies will be proud
to have you come. Why haven't you
been To the house?"
81 have been often but could not
get in. Your man thinks I'm beg
gar"
'Ta! I'll teach him better"
Evidently, the presence of Burns,
while not exactly an annoyance to
Mr.. Vernon was by no means pleas
ure. Aside from any effect produced
upon him by an apparition SO une1-
pected, aud taking no account OF the
startling expression Of the old preach
er's strangely emaciated face aud con-
centrated gaze, there was something
inopportune, out-of-plscs aud unwel-
come in the sudden meeting. We
have moments when any index to our
past is unbeatable. Mr.. Vernon was
constrained; his manner AMI voice
were unnatural.
Burns eyed him \ moment, then
said:
"No. Don't bother with il. I am
q beggar, a tramp, and do not wish
to disturb a happy family. What 1
want is easily told"
"Speak it, my dear sir. speak it; it
is already yours.
Mr.. Vernon was still holding that
clammy hand and looking firmly and
kindly, albeit with sort of artificial
expression, into Burns's deep-sunken
aud inAamed eyes.
''No, that is a polite lie. Wait till
I make my desire known, then see If
you can be generous.
''Tal I see you are ill. Come in
and hare some wine"
''I drink nothing but water. I am
not i'll. / am we'll and strong and
shall reach my goal soon."
-I am glad to hear it, sir-very
GLAD, indeed"
E Mr. vernon wanted to shake him
oh Cor the present and so into the
club room OF the Chats -Huauts; he
wanted to SEQ Colonel LoriLg again;
but Burns would not be abandoned.
1I am close on the track of Pierre
Rsmeau," he said, s'aud I want your
help. Turn your hand for me now.
and have him."
Mr.. Vernon stood silent, and
peculiar shadow crept over his face.
"Ah, see you are quite prompt,
Quite ready" exclaimed Burns, after
a mere moment. The irony was
morciless.
"what do you mean, sir?" demand
cd Mr.. Vernon. A gray film of pas
sion or OF somc other deep feeling
crept over his cheeks above the beard.
Bah Where were you going just
now?" demanded Burns, as If with
authority.
"Sir!"
sI can tell you. You were gong
upstairs, in there, to the room of the
Chats Huants, to meet Pierre Esmeau,
the Iobber."
"Sir!"
"You know that it is So"
SIT is not true-it is"
Don't be angry. Stop and think.
Stop aud turn about. like you; l
owe my life to you. I would save
yours now. Don't go in there"
Two or three suspicious-looking fell
lows came near and acted as if they
were trying to overhear what was be-
ing said. Perhaps they thought 1t
was quarrel tha5 would end in =
fight, the most interesting thing IN the
world TO such characters.
Burns, like the Ancient Mariner,
was holding his auditor with his gilt,
tering eye. The wedding-guest was
not more eDthralled than was Mr..
Vernon, albeit the latter turned
abraptly and would hear no more for
the moment. He could not, however,
tear himself loose from the old man,
LIN, onI OF fut,nn1 aOaln