The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-02-10

had. yet swung back under tue watch.
full eye Of Mr.. Gryce, who sat like n
statue in front Of the room occupied
by the signorina. Ten o'clock and
even Miss Aspinwall herself was not to
be seen!
But before another half hour had
passed more than one bright figure had
stepped into the hall, and in this recess
or that Of the great house small groups
were gathering, ready to resume the
talk v$Aich had not been exhausted by
hours Of secret whispering from pillow.
to pillow. At quarter to eleven one
door only remained shut, the door upon
which all eyes rested, for through it
they expected presently to-. appear the
heroine of the preceding eve, a heroine
around whom this frustrated attempt
at murder had woven such an atmos-
phere of romance and mystery that the
coming Of q girl with tray of break
fast caused quite a shock OF disap-
pointment to pass through the throHg.
heroines being supposed to be above
such mundane wants, or at least to lg-
more them at certain periods Of pecu-
liar interest or excitement.
But this touch Of sentime entail feeling
in the young men and women OF the
house was soon lost in the surprise
they felt at seeing Mr.. Gryce suddenly
rouse from his apathy, take the tray
from the girls hand, and after sur
veying it's contents with care, carry 1t
in himself to the signorina. Nor was
this astonishment in any wise dimin'
ished when, in minute later, he reap
peared with the tray and handing IT
back to the girl remarked:
Miss Rogers cares for nothing but
eggs this morning. A couple Of boiled
eggs, if you please"
An interference 80 minute must mean
something. What? Curiosity grew
rampant, and it was a sorry disap-
pointment to the eager watchers when
the breakfast bell rang, summonlng
them all to the dining room.
Another bell rang about this time;
it was the one connected with the
front door. As it's echoes ceased one
or two of the young men who still lin
gered in the hall .beheld the door OF
her room open and the signorina ap-
pear. All, how fresh she looked, not
withstanding her nights adventures!
Or were her bushes the signal Of some
coming event not disconnected with
the summons they had just heard.
They would, wait q minute, and they.
did, noting with a certain sort of STU
pefaction how the aged detective
bowed as she passed him, and with
what a look he followed her down the
hall to the top Of the staircase. Was
the old fellow smitten? No, but he
was impressed by the sight of this
young, girl going 10 an interview from
which she would return the mistress OF
a fortune large enough to make her
queen among her fellows.
AT, the, head Of the staircase she met
Hilary.
"Mr. Degraw, OF Cleveland. is wait
ing for you in the library" that lady
announced. "He is not alone; did you
expect to Sc him alone"
The signorina drew back.
"Who is with him 2" she asked.
II leave you to find out" returned
the other, mischievously. Only 1
thought I would warn you to expect
more than one caller. All, how lovely
you look in whitew pursued Hilary,
with a short sigh. mo one would think
you had not slept wink all night"
The signorina smiled and took the
others arn.
"How kind you arew said she, and
looked so child-like with her quivering
lips half parted that the stronger won-
ans heart warmed with sweet COM
passion as she drew her down to the
library door. .... s..
II must 60 to nv other guests" re-
marked Hilary, "but my heart will re-
main with you"
And though she could not know and
could not guess what this visit portend-
ed she went with evidently reluctant
feet toward the dining room, looking
back more than once upon the slight,
white-clad figure standing doubtfully
before the library door, as If in dread
of an interview which might have a
determining influence upon the future
fate Of more than one in this great
house.
When the signorina finally sum.
moned courage sufficiently to open
the door and pass in she was startled
to observe three gentlemen present,
and was greatly confused, notwith-
standing the warning she had received
when she perceievd that one of them
was the artist. Surely this was not
the interview she had expected when
Mr.. Degraw, Of Cleveland. had set this
hour for saying something to her OF
special importance!
= '"Do you wish to see me? was con-
sequently the question with which she
met the greeting she received.
To be continued.
Originality That Paid.