The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-12-16
By Anna Katharine n AD'h'' IF r"hs sts sor''i''
CHAPTER XXI.
Continued.

COPYRIGHT. 1880. sY sosEnr seNnEn's sehs.

Continued.
Mr.. Degraw, who had only put these
questions for the purpose of testing
the fellows truth, felt mountain
aifted from his breast. She was not
cheating him, then, by coquettish wiles
into believing she possessed an interest
in him. She was really alarmed, and,
woman-like, knew no other course than
to humor the man she feared in behalf
of the man she loved. And yet had it
been all humoring on her part-those
brilliant glances, those lovely smiles?
Yes, for she was an actress, trained to
express emotion, and gifted with ge-
MUS for doing so. With a cleared
brow he confronted the man before
him.
II am relieved by your explanations" !"
said he. "And now it only remains for
us to consider together as to what
course we shall pursue in reference to
tI1is dangerous fellow"
The other gave him q searching
glance.
Rogers advice?" he inquired.
"And leave her just when she may
need me most?'
II know it does not seem chivalrous,
but it may, perhaps, be wise"
"Wise when you have the power to
arrest this fellow at any moment it
may seem best to you?"
"But I do not wish to arrest him just
yet. His secret is what we want to
get at, and this we can only reach by
leaving him at large. Why does he
pursue girls by the name of Jenny
Rogers? And why, when he makes
their acquaintance, does he forsake
some and injure others? Is 1t mania
on his part, or has be some scheme
afloat which involves the wholesale
sacrifice Of these innocent girls? We
do not know, but We are anxious to-,
and that is why I advocate leaving
him at liberty for little while longer.
He has no suspicion that he is watched
by any one but you, and, when you
have taken yourself away he will GER
tainly show his hand, and that openly
and at once"
"But this is being cold blooded with
a vengeance! What IL in the mean
while the present object of his atten-
tions falls victim.to his mania"
"She will not. This time he seems
to be really affected by the charms of
the lady he addresses. If he Injuries
her I am no judge Of man or woman.
Besides, remember, there is a watch
dog at her side. Nothing can harm
her or shall harm her, while I remain
on the watch; Of that you may be
sure"
His tone was SO convincing, and he
showed so much feeling in his last
words that Mr.. Degraw looked at him
In surprise.
"Ah, We fellows are not without
heart" observed. the man. "Give US
half a chance and We can show our
selves as considerate as the best"
~But you are not omnipresent, and
peril may reach her in ways unfore-
seen and unexpected"
II do not think so. I am both liked
and trusted by my master. He con-
ides every commission to me. I am
his right hand man, and he will make
no move without me-"
"Do you not f1atter yourself?"
"No. He apes the great gentleman
and does not manual work himself"
The artist sighed.
We'll" said he, II will follow your
wishes as far as to try and keep away
from the house. If my anxieties make
1T impossible, why, that:is the fault Of
human nature, and must not count
against me. You, on your side, must
promise that you will not only watch
over her, but give me the opportunity
to assist you in doing so if his actions
become in any way threatening. Miss
Aspinwall, whom I will take into my
confidence, must promise the same,
and with these two sureties before me
I may succeed in restraining my i'm
petuosity."
II am sure you WILL" was the reply.
"And If you would 60 further and re-
move to the hotel"
II will"
"Then I think matters must culmin-
ate very soon, and you will either find
that his interest is no greater here than
it seemed to be in some other quar-
tiers, or that it is of such a nature that
the police will feel justified in seizing
upon him, in which case his arrest will
occur promptly and effeetually."
Il yield for the nonce," said the art
1st, and fearful Of retracting his word,
which had somehow been torn from
him, he broke up the conference by q
gesture, and walked rapidly away in
the direction of his present home.
But before he had reached it he de-
liberately turned about and fastened
back to the mansion he had just left.
Il will not act the part Of the cow
ard" he inwardly determined. NOR
will I be a slave to the cold blooded
wishes of the police. She is here, and
will see her if only to say goodbye"
CHAPTER XXI.
FARTHER INTO THE MAZE