The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-03-02

- H.. V.sI..:s, G.o,c n Author of "The Forsaken
AuHd hdiddliue uloeu, lnn," Etc.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Continued.


Continued.
mo; that is, l have not thought very
much about, it, took it for granted
he was what he said he was. Why?"
Because had strange suspicion
last night when I saw the fellow who
attacked you lying on the floor at the
foot Of the staircase. Though I had
not noticed it before, thought then
that he had On eye like the Italian
whom I saw for q minute in your
rooms. If that is so, and he is Montelli
in disguise, or, what Is more probable,
Montelli was this man in disguise, then
the two matters are one and the plot
against you is of long standing"
"It may be-" she acknowledged, 'it
may be. But it is all over now. Why
think Of it?''
Because I do not feel at ease about
him; nor do you, for all your seeming
gayety. ! have caught you more than
once glancing in visible apprehension
toward the door, as if you feared a re-
newed sight Of your murderous perse-
cutor."
Ibid betray myself like that" she
asked, then stopped and exclaimed
with sudden conviction: 1T is because
great pleasures never seem quite real.
/ cannot believe that shall be allowed
to step into this immense fortune
without some disaster to dampen my
happiness. 1t would be like the won
ders Of fairy tale occurring to an or
dinary mortal"
"But you are not a mortal; you.are a
witch. or one Of the fairies themselves;
80 you should believe in your happi-
ness, only"-he grew more serious here
II do not want you to trust it so
much as to be reckless. This fellow is
in custody, but he may manage to es-
cape, and though you certainly have
nothing more to fear from his cupidity
you may have for his revenge. He will
never forget that through you he has
lost, as he thinks, the possibility of
handling an immense sum of money"
do you wish to terrify me?" she in
luired, with a frightened-loek.
mo, no; how can you think Of It? /
only wish to warn you, so that if you
ever have reason to think he is in any
way engaged in doing you harm you
will notify the police and procure a
guardian to watch over your safety.
! cannot rest in peace unless you prom
Use me this. Will you? Otherwise l
shall not be able to sleep at night"
She smiled. 1t was almost a sad
smile; it certainly was an appealing
one. But he had fixed the boundaries
to his sympathy, and would not over
step them.
promise me-" he persisted.
'To take care Of myself?" she que
Tied. "Ah! it is easy to do that. I am
too anxious to show the world and you
that can bear the honors of my posi-
ton and not forget my old friends"
Itwas charmingly said; it came like
dew to his thirsty and longing heart.
He caught her hand in his and pressed
it with more than friendly warmth,
but in that very act drew back and
made his final bow.
"You make it too hard for me-" he re.
monstrated. "To behold paradise SO
near, and yet to feel one is restrained
from enjoying it by the most solemn
of secret oaths, is torture to such an
1mpetuous nature as mine. I shall
therefore turn my back upon the gates
! may not enter, and not till three
months have elapsed will you see me
again. Goodbye, dearest Of women,
goodbye"
And he was gone.
:; For moment she stood in that bow
er Of greenery where he had left her,
courageously smiling as long as he was
within sight and liable to turn his face
again for farewell look, but when the
trees had quite hidden him, and his
quick step was no longer to be heard
on the graveled walk, then her lovely
countenance fell and a startling look
Of care took the place Of her former
expression Of triumph. While this was
still visible on her face, and before she
had reached the door which led into
the house, O young man stepped out
Of this same door and confronted her.
1t was Mr.. Byrd.
For an instant it seemed as if she
did not know him, for though she
paused she did not speak. But as he
bowed with great respect her smiles
came back and she greeted him cor
daily.
"Ah!" said she, II was hoping for an
opportunity to express my obligation
to you. From what have you not
saved meW
From more than you think" was his
somewhat enigmatical reply. II have
news to give you, Miss Rogers. The
man who made the attempt upon your
life last night is dead"
She recoiled as if he had struck her.
"Dead? she repeated, in incredulous
ZONES; then, as she saw that she had
not mistaken his words, and that he
meant what he said, she suddenly
flushed with an overwhelming and un-
controllable joy as unmistakable as it
was apparently unconscious.
The detective watched her curiously.
"How did it happen" she now cried.
"When? Where?"
'"He tried to escape from US at the
depot. He fell under the cars. You
need never fear anything from him
again"
She turned her face away. Horrors
were not lacking from this day of
triumph, and yet this horror robbed
her Of q nameless dread,