The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-14
CHAPTER Y.
Continued.


benevolence:
II do not answer because l dread
your displeasure. 1 have no message
from the gentleman to whom you al
Jude, but have one for him. If he
calls upon you, as he may, please ask
him how many ladies of the name Of
Rogers he has made himself agreeable
to lately, and if he does not recoil at
that ask him how many more he hopes
to bring into the police courts before
he is summoned there himself"
What do you mean?" sprang from
the lips of the startled girl he was ad-
dressing. He had frightened her and
he had aroused her interest. That was
what he sought and he secretly smiled
over hs success. Il do not understand
you. Police courts? Oh, who are you?
Not police officer. hope"
''You might make a worse guess,
Miss Rogers. I am detective grown
old in the service. But that need not
alarm you, for my experiences have
not made me either hard or pitiless.
The gentleman you refer to is rogue.
That Is why I am here and why beg
you to listen while make clear to you
the narrowness Of your escape from
man without honor or respectability."
"Oh! Ohw came in hurried pants from
her white lips. Her face had lost its
disdain, and the eyes she fixed upon
his were wide open and pleading. There
was no evil in them, only the shame of
q proud nature caught in an act OF
folly. "What are you telling me-" she
cried. "a rogue? think you must be
mistaken. 1 know gentleman when
! see him, and though am only sew
enteen, I am not so childish rs to be
entirely deceived in those I meet. We
are talking about different men or you
are the victim of some mistake"
1--WE can easily determine that" said
be. what is the name of the gentle
man Of whom you are speaking"
st would rather not mention names"
He was not looking at her; he never
looked at any one. but for all that his
eyes had a peculiar expression, for
which the pen-wiper he was honoring
with his gaze may have been respon-
sible. But doubt it.
"No names?" he replied every well,
We will try to get at the truth in some
other way, then"
And taking paper from his pocket
he opened it deliberately, then laying
it on his knee, put on pair Of glasses
and observed:
''I am going to read to you descrip-
ton, not Of the gentleman in whom
YOU have so much confidence, but of
another, equally nameless, who has
been seen fitting around young lady
of the same name as yourself, living
but a short time ago in Fifty-sixth
street"
And lifting the paper he read aloud
these words:
According to the description given
by such persons as have observed this
gentleman he is tall, well formed, af-
fable in manner and pleasing in ad-
dress. His complexion is medium, his
hair and mustache dark and his eyes
gray. He is what would be called by
all persons q gentleman, and by most
handsome man. He is above all
strong character, bearing evidence in
look and carriage Of great force Of dis
position and determined will"
The detective paused, folded the
paper and laid it on a table near by.
Miss Rogers was blushinG.
THAT, as I have informed you," con-
tinued the other, "is what persons say
of the man who paid court to, or at
least, showed his interest in the young
lady I have mentioned by lowering
about her steps and following her to
church and other public places. She
has since died, so cannot get her de-
scription of him, but must rely upon
that Of her friends. Did you ever see
any one like him."
The abashed girl bowed her head.
She was trembling in every limb, but
she did not choose to speak and he did
not urge her to do so.
"You will pardon me-" he now pur-
sued, IF 1 trouble you with second
description. This is Of q gentleman
who lately began the persecution of q
young girl also bearing your name, but
without the worldly advantages be-
longing to yourself or to the last men
toned lady. She was working girl,
but pretty, good and to all appearances
happy till she came across this gentle
man. He is said by those who have
seen him to be tall, handsome. prepos-
sessinS looking. Of age about thirty.
complexion medium, hair dark, large
mustache and gray eyes. Did you ever
see such man as he:'
Don't ask me. You startle and sur.
prise me beyond all endurance. What
does it all mean, and what is there in
the name Of Rogers that only persons
of that name should receive this mans
attention."
1T is not only the name Of Rogers, ~
remarked the detective kindly. Each
one of these girls was Jenny also
"a Jenny? You frighten me, sir, or
rather you awaken my suspicious as to
your veracity. Is it truth you have
been telling ME? Have you not been
amusing ME with fairy tales? I can
not belierG-"
Miss Rogers, you were sent into my
presence by Miss Hadden. Had she
possessed any doubt of my integrit!
she would never have risked the dis
pleasure OF your guardian by encour
aging this interview. You may trust