The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-05-26
>,ax R TRENTHAM sat alo"e

4 ~ pected. He had no appe-
zoS tite, so the dishes were
sent away almost untaSted. Looking
UP presently from reverie into which
he had fallen, he met the servants
serious gaze. and, with 4 half smile.
rose, throwing his napkin on the table.
Its no use, Farrant; I'm too tired
to eat" he said.
Plunging both hands deeply into his
pockets, the doctor fell once more into
his reverie. as he walked away slowly
to the library.
Left to his own reflections, DR..
Trentham drew from his pocket a let
ter which he read by the light of a
reading lamp. 1t was from his adopted
son, Dick Earle, 4 rising young lawyer.
between whom and the doctor the
strongest possible affection existed; it
was for this young man that the sec
ond place at dinner was always laid.
But instead of Dick to-day had
s come q letter. Il know it ran, you
will be surprised to hear that 1 am
engaged to be married; it has all taken
place in a hurry, because she is un-
expectedly going away. =.
And then it transpired that she was
an actress, Eva Casillis. II will look
in on you in the morning. the writer
concluded; ''and will then tell you
more"
With a slight frown DR.. Trentham
replaced the letter in his pocket; he
had hoped great things for Dick. who
would marry, of course, some day
but an actress!
For some time the doctor sat mo-
tionless, gazing intertly at the glowing
logs-for there were faces in the fire
tonight, and memories gathered
round him with the dream Of bygone
days.
First and foremost the memory OF
a woman-the only woman he Lad ever
desired to call wife. The day he had
wooed her came back, with quick
heartbeat and a throbbing pulse. She
was in the bayfield, among the hay
makers-he recalled the turn of her
head rs she looked round to greet him
with a smile or her lips. His ideal
woman-then and forever. She had
worn a pink cotton frock that had just
the color of her cheeks, and sunbonnet
hung round her neck by the strings.
leaving her head with its curling
brown hair exposed to the sun.
One of the glowing logs fell from the
Ere and the dream changed.
It was October. She was coming
down the lane. treading softly on the
thick carpet of beech leaves. the red
light from the setting sun striking be-
tween the tall trees and bathing her
in light from head 70 foot.
It was the day that the letter had
come from the lawyers telling him OF
his creat-aunts death. and of his sud
den undreamed-of accession to her
large fortune. His first thought had
been Of the girl he loved. He was
rich; they need wait no longer; happl-
ness was theirs. He could see her face
there. in the hollow Of the hre-not
full of rejoicing, but of sudden sharp
pain.
The lines on his forehead dcepered-
and the flames sank low.
"A lady TO see you, sir. Farrants
voice recalled him.
IAN urgent case:
II don't think she is i'll. sir; just
drove I'D in a broug:,aln." replied Far
rant. Offering a carbon which was in
scribei. Mrs. Casillis.''
Casillis. This must be Dicks ac-
tress. although he had said nothing OF
her being widow. Anyhow, he
would see he".
The servant ushered in q tall. eie-
santly dressed woman. who advanced
with an easy grace into the 1lrellShs'
saving as she did so-with very
musical accent: Il must apologize lot
this late visit, bat. to tell you The
truth. l rather fancied YOU would be
disengaged at this hour, and l wanted
TO see you alone.
II am quite at liberty" replied Or.
Trentham, IS he placed chair for his
visitor.
Mr.. Earle may have mentioned my
name-nay. 60 not turn the lamp
higher; it is so nice TO talk IN the
freight. Won't YOU sit down AGAIN.
She had thrown back her sable
lined cloak. disclosing al exquisite
gown that seemed a mass Of %litterins
Jet. Some diamonds sparkled On the
bodice. and one superb star flashed
from the coils OF her soft brown hair.
The doctor had been skeptical abou;
Dicks actrcSs-but this woman was 9
revelation.
Dick wrotc TO ne abo;it his engage
mert.' lie replied. telin:: almoSr re-
conciled 1O his adopted sons choice
but. judging that tic lady must be
at least ten years that impatient
lovers senior-Ac was just saven-and
twenty.
HE will have tod YOU that lie has
Only known my little Cir. ve:y shor