The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-12-31
ET RETT WINW 90 3.
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They had not occupied this position
many consecutive seconds ere, reliev'
ing herself. she again assumed an up
right posture.
"Thanks"' she murmured. "Tm
afraid you find me very troublesome. =
Not in the least" he gallantly re,
sponded.
Being once more at liberty to devote
some attention to the other young
lady. he was about to address her
when he discovered that she had rid
Cen on and was already some yards
distant.
I'm glad she is gone" said his CON-
panion, in tone Of relief.
"How extraordinary that she should
have seen my picturew exclaimed Ray.
II was never in this part of the coun-
try before, and I'm sure her face was
strange to me-"
Heaven grant you may never know
more of her than at present"
What do you mean?" he asked,
startled by her earnestness.
II know that creature by sight"
Her voice fell. "They call her Wild
Kate here. That is all I am willing
to tell you about her"
"Ah-hw uttered Ray, and involun-
tal.ly he sighed, for the young lady's
face had greatly pleased and attracted
him.
What was the name by which she
called your
Ray Braddon."
"Then my ears do not deceive me.
am very glad to see you," and she held
out her hand, smiling sweetly. II am
Blanche Gordon"
The young man was surprised and
delighted. He could scarcely believe
the evidence of his senses. 1t was a
mission to Blanche Gordon that had
taken him into this unknown country
"a very odd mission, by the way.
A mutual friend-an eccentric old
man-had died only the week before,
leaving ten thousand dollars in avail
able cash to Blanche, and he, Ray, had
undertaken to convey the money to
her and deliver it in person.
"This is a surprisew he CALCULATED,
raising her hand to his lips.
II hope we will be all the better
friends for the circumstances under
which our meeting took place"
"It will not be my fault if we are
not" he said, warmly, adding, after
4 slight pause, Il suppose you re-
ceived my letter announcing Mr..
Graham's death and the bequest he
had made in your favor?"
"Oh, yes. Ten thousand dollars was
the amount, I believer"
"Yes. 1 have the money, and shall
be happy to resign it to you at the ear
liest practicable moment"
She turned away her face-perhaps
to conceal the strange glitter that came
into her velvety eyes.
'You don't mean to tell me that you
have the whole amount with you"
she asked. very low.
1T seems a large sum to car
~ about"
"True. But I took care that no one
should learn the fact save the cashier
of the bank who paid me the money.
I had written to you beforehand to
announce my intention, and. as you
will remember, cautioned you to say
nothing about il"
eyes"
at was Mr.. Graham's dying request
that should bring you the money"
"You are very good to undertake
such q responsibility for stranger" :"
she murmured, her lips strangely
white.
I'm glad I did undertake it."
The glance that accompanied these
words was expressive enough to re-
call the crimson to Blanche Gordon'S
lively cheeks.
Il can see the hand Of Providence In
all this" she faltered.
$50 can l." Ray responded, driven
beside himself by her beauty and win
ming ways. "Mr. Graham was my
friend as we'll as yours, and know he
cherished an ardent hope that we
might be mutually attracted when we
made each others acquaintance, and
Providence seems to he furthering his
vishes.'
1T was a foolish speech, and
Blanche's cheeks flushed redder than
ever at ali it implied.
Come" she said, rather nervously,
"why are we lingering here? You are
to take me home, you know"
Certainly"
"My home is poor and forlorn," she
said. with a smile that seemed con-
strained. "But I shall soon change it
for better one, now that my ship
has come in
Ray made no reply. Just at that in
slant he caught glimpse Of stylish
looking young lady in the green habit
halting at bend in the road and look.
ing back at them very earnestly.
There was something in her behavior
that str1,cl the yc1lnr man as being