The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-07-16

different; but every word was heard,
80 favorable was everything to the
conveyance Of sounds.
Fairfr1 felt a load fall from his
breast at this sudden turn in Oh ad.
venture which but a moment before
had filled him with such dismay as
only youth and love and the thought
OF swift calamity to the one most dear
to him could %engender. In the stress
of the apparent crisis he had thought
only Of the girl; and now that the
strain was over, it seemed to him as
if the same breath that had blown
away his distress on Pauline's
accoun; had also lifted the fog; for
the next moment the gray vail was 30
removed that the young officer on
board the schooner came into clear
relief against the tall marsh grass on
the point beyond. His features could
not be made ont; but his form was
tall, slender, graceful, and his stti-
tude striking in the extreme. He
wore the undress uniform Of q lieu
tenant of infantry in the United
States Army.
A half hour later, the two vessels
lay alongside of each other, and Lieu
tenant Ballanche came aboard of the
Water Bird. Fairfax watched him
climb the rope from the gig to the
deck; and at the request Of Mr.. YER
non went forward to be introduced to
him.
The two young men shook hand and
their eyes met steadily and frankly.
Any shrewd observer would have said
TINT they were mutually we'll i'm
pressed at first glance.
Edouard Ballanche was O creole
from head to foot; that is, he was a
Frenchman modified by the influences
of American birth and experience. In
his face burned the half-subdued fire
Of a passionate yet naturally gentle
and tender nature. fortified and
specialized by intimate acquaintance
with almost every form Of danger.
You might have read in his eyes that
he had seen duels; that life, though
precious to him, was worn as O gar
ment to be flung aside as lightly as a
coat OF glove; that honor was a word
of unlimited significance to him. In
speech he showed that deliberate
facility which always suggests the cut
and thrust and parry of a master
swordsman. The impression he made
was one Of efficiency, courage and
readiness, singularly blended with
lightness, grace and superficial. good
humor.
He shook hands cordially with Mr..
Vernon, and turned to acknowledge
the introduction of Fairfax just as
Pauline came from below.
81 took you for a pirate" said Mr..
Vernon, land was running away from
you as fast as I could, I thought; but
here we are, boarded by you, and at
your mercy"
"The mistake was mutual, sir; I
thought that you were on unlawful
business of some sort, and have been
all night afraid that you had got away
from me. I am compelled to be vigi-
liant now; I hope, sir, that I have not
troubled you too greatly"
"Your vigilance is something that
no American patriot can grumble att
said Mr.. Vernon. lis there anything
new from the seat of war? Anything
about to turn up?"
Nothing has been made public
replied the Lieutenant, guardedly.
''What may t%ranspire at any moment
is hard to foresee; doubtless we shall
have our turn at the game of war
down here in due time"
"You may speak freely in the pres
ence of my friend here" remarked
Mr.. Vernon. with a smile of Bal
lanche's caution, concealed almost
though it was; 'he is one of u.s."
II should trust him with my life,"
promptly responded the lieutenant,
giving Fairfax again that straight
frank look Of perfect confidence.
"What I wanted to say to you, Mr..
Vernon, is that it is not safe to keep
your family or your property any
longer at Bay Saint Louis. Ine BTU
ish may sail In upon Is any day; in
deed, we are expecting them soon."
1t was hard for Lieutenant Bal
lanche, with all his politeness, tokeep
his gaze away from Pauline.
Fairfax was not aware that she had
come on deck, else he would have
noticed the suppressed enthusiasm of
Ballanche's chances toward the hatch
way.
AS soon as Mr.. Vernon discovered
the presence of his DAUGHTER: he took
Lieutenant Ballauche by the arm and
led him toward her.
Fairfax turned in time to see the
tall creole bowling low over her hand.
MI. Vernon stood there like some
grizzly giant of old, his shoulders and
head looming heavily, while his
daughter seemed to reflect upon him
a suggestion Of y~outhfulness blend
ing with his show of years. Fairfax