The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-05-11

window in the hall below, ! had only
to descend to the lower floor to meet
him. But when ! stepped frGm my
room, ! became aware. possibly ny
some occult influence. that ! was Eot
alone in the hall: that my actions were
observed, and that my future steps
would lie watched. if not followed.
What should ! do? Go back? 1t
was too late. But how go forward
without awakening criticism and risk
ing discovery! Happily. my training
for the stage had included the study
Of the part of La Sonnambula, and re-
membering it at this critical moment
l made my body rigid and fixed my
gaze, and so passed on without pause
or shrinking, though inwardly greatly
agitated. For the persons engaged IN
watching me were Hilary and stran-
ger. whose presence awakened my
keenest fears, though no thought or
his UeluS uEehGSi Va eN P
crossed my mind.
But this was nothing to the shock
which followed, when in another mo-
ment l encountered you. This l WaS
not prepared for, and inwardly
ouailed. But instinct kept me from be-
traying myself. retained my studied
manner, and went by you like an ap-
partition. But terror was in my heart,
for not only saw that for some reason
all my friends were on the alert, either
to surprise my secret, or give me pro-
lection l was far from needing. But
| was under the constant apprehension
of Montelli making his appearance and
so provoking a conflict which m'Ght
end disastrously for you. You remem'
Der how gave weapon in the shape
of a sharp paper knife, and then how
I wandered into the back hall IN the
hope of cutting off Montelli and thus
irsuring not only his safety but your
own.
II did not meet him, though he must
have been there, and came back hope
full, and went again upstairs. But hor-
ror awaited me. When 1 reached my
chamber door, I perceived the nerce
eyes and threatening form of this
dangerous man emerging from the
back staircase, and though l had no
fear of bis keen knife had of the de-
lection of our secret; for ! knew that
Hilary and her strange companion
were watching us from behind, anu
that he had but to drop word or cast
a look belying bis seeming antagon1sm,
for our mutual understanding to be
seen, and my despicable position dis
covered.
But he was too subtle to make such
a mistake, OF perhaps he himself had
perceived the forms Of Hilary and
Mr.. Gryce; for he increased the fierce
ness of his demeanor; he even nfted
his knife, and l was vaguely asking
myself how he would extricate me
from this situation, when your friend,
Mr.. Byrd, extricated us both by MS
sudden leap upon the seeming assassin.
I'm the struggle that followed l
had no time to think. My eyes met
those of Montelli as bis knife flew from
his hand and fell at my feet; but l dld
not understand his look, though
picked up the knife and sought to es-
cape with it to my room. But my fears
as to what he would do in his rage and
disappointment drew me back.
must gain some assurance from him
that he would not visit upon me the
misfortune that had fallen upon him
self. And so l had the courage to de-
scend to where he had fallen, and look
at him where he lay, and listen to the
phrases he uttered, and which were,
as took it, assurances that he still had
hopes for himself, and little, if any,
resentment against me- But when you
came forward and placed my arm III
yours, his manner suddenly changed,
as you will remember, and he became
quite fierce. He foresaw difficulties
if l clung to you, and threatened me
by word and gesture. I was glad when
we were out of his sight and hearing,
and was relieved rather than abashed
when Mr.. Gryce proposed to watch
beside my door and keep me from
harms way till after l had held the
promised interview with Mr.. Degraw,
which be and you supposed would
place me beyond the malice OF revenge
of the persons believed to be my ene-
mics.
"Of that interview I need say little.
1t was surprise to me in more ways
than one. 1 had not expected you to
be present, and had not looked for the
proposal with which Mr.. DegraW
prefaced his great gift. If I had, 1
might have been better prepared to
meet it. I could not have accepted 1t
even if upon its acceptance had hung
the wealth now saw almost within
nv grasp. I had decided in the night
that I would marry no man but you,
and / cannot tell you how l was af-
fected by his generosity, which left
me free to bestow hand and wealth
where I would.
To be continued.
Great Future Of Corn.
Coro is tho great American crOp. 1s