The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-07-30


on Lake Borgne. "But You will be
generous, I know"
He did not look so tall in his full
dress uniform as he had IN undress,
but the fine high-bred air seemed to
be more pronounced.
Pauline had seen him frequently
since their first meeting. At present.
however, he impressed her as much
handsomer than ever before. Not
that she really took time to think this.
1t was the impression and nothing
more.
Fairfax came rather late. He had
neeu delayed on hls way by II Guett
little adventure on the street All al
venture which, although at the time
it appeared to have no connection with
his future, introduced an active elc-
mert into the drama Of his lie.
At the entrance 70 a dark alley, =
struggle was going on between two
persons, and Fairfax heard, throug'r
his open carriage-wiudow, low cries u
@ and distress. He signaled his
driver to stop, and at o2ce sprans out
and ran to the spot. A bury man
was choking and beating q small
hunchback, h ofousht with tooth and
,ail like a tiger cat. Fairfax calledtu
he big fellow to let 20 his hold Of the
iwari's neck, and not being needed,
dealt him q heavy blow on the ear
With his fist. A watchman appeared
It this moment and reached the spot
ust as the rufian vas trying to rise
rom where the cuff had landed him.
Some tiuie was spent by Fairfax in ex-
planning to the officer lis connection
with the matter.
The little deformed man declared
that his powerful assaiiaut was trying
to rob him Of O small amount Of silver
money, but the accused stoutly main-
tanned that the money was his and
that the other had stolen it from him.
The light of a distant lamp set at
the gate of a private house permitted
Fairfax to see the dwarf's features but
dimly, yet they were so unusual, so
hideous indeed, that they fixed them
selves firmly in his memory. The
watchman knew both OF the COM
batauts aad, laying his hand on the
little fellows strangely distorted
shoulder, called him Craysud Crapo1-
sin.
"Crapaud Crapousiu," he growied,
as he shook him rudely, "you are al
ways into mischief! How many times
must I chuck you in iail:"
OF course Fairfax got away from
this scene as soou as lie could. The
delay, however, was longer than this
brief telling may make it appear.
When he reached Chateau dor his
right hand, with which he had deliv-
cred the blow on tho mans ear, was
paining him greatly, and later he dis
covered that he had broken . finger
OIL the fellows skull.
"But you must have it attended to
at once" said Mr.. Vernon; "fOr-
tunately there is q skiliful surgeon
present." and forthwith he hurried
Fairfax into q room apart from the
company, and sent a servant to bring
Colonel Loring.
"It's nothing" Fairfax insisted, as
. matter Of form; but his pain was by
no means hidden, and his hand was
beginning to swell.
a gentleman should never strike
with his unarmed hand" said Mr..
Vernon. "Why didn't you shoot the
scoundrel?"
"I shot him with the only weapon I
Glanced to have" replied Fairfax,
with o grim half smile.
The music was swelling merrily and
ripping through the house; the dan
GERS were flashing back and forth and
in and ont; and the breeze coming in
at the open windows and doors gently
famed the flushed young faces as they
whirled.
When Colonel Loring approached
and Mr.. Vernon was about to speak,
Fairfax looked up and saw before him
Pierre Rameau. He could not help
showing his surprise and astonish-
ment.
LET me presentmy friend, Colonel
Philip Loring, Mr.. Fairfax. Colonel
Loring is an expert surgeon; he will
deal cunningly with your hurt hand"
Fairfax was staring, glaring, his
lips compressed, his chin thrust out,
lis face white and rigid. He did not
lear q word that Mr.. vernon said.
"Don't offer me your hand. Pierre
Rameau, you base and conscienceless
villain!" he exclaimed in a low, meas
ured tone of voice, husky with rage.
He appeared about to spring upon
Loring and throttle him.
Colonel Loring without charging
c~ountenance turned to Mr.. Vernon
and, with a simple infection of in
luiry, said:
"What does this man mean?"
The wrath and the insulting cpl
thets seemed not to have affected him
u any way. Not q line of his face
lad chauged its expression. He
armed Ills ewes slowly and with q pc