The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-11-07
CHAPTER I.
COnspiratorS.

GUESS uS
IVA Monsieur jacob bowed with
grave courtesy-the Baroness
de Nautille inclined her head without
raising her eyes, and the introduction
was complete. The introducer, Mrs.
Wright. turned away with a little sigh
of relief to continue her duties Of hos
tess. Monsieur jacob and the baron
ess had never been to her house before,
and the astute little English woman
was not prepossessed in favor of the
foreign lady. Monsieur Jacob, OF
course, was trreproachable. Every one
knew the name Of the new musician,
whose violin had insinuated him into
every circle in London where the fine
erts came under improbable discus
sion.
The Introduction took place in the
smaller drawing room. which was al
most deserted at the moment. Indeed,
there was only one other person pres
ent. This was a man with hair and
pointed beard, mustache and overhang-
ing eyebrows, as white as snow. The
head was that of an old man-such as
one pictures the ancient patriarchs to
haye been-but the body was straight
and the movements, without being
1.-THE, were far from denoting lnfrmity.
This was Laurance Lowe-a mossless
stone whose rollings days were done.
People whispered to one another that
in days gone by Laurance Lowe would
fain have ceased his rolling ways, but
that providence had willed it other
wise, sending q courageous and fairly
Intelligent young soldier-one Lieuten-
ant Wright-to set the stone once more
a-going, and to gather for himself the
moss. Whatever ma! have passed be-
tween the white-haired man and the
CHEEKY little matron-still comely and
hearty-in those forgotten days was
only known to themselves, and neither
ever referred to it. Feople wondered
why Mrs. Wright should trouble her.
self with this silent old man, who con-
aributed in no way to the entertain
ment oe her guests. They considered
him an old bore, though he never dis
played the least anxiety to be aonored
with their attention never yaWneu,
never confessed to fatigue. and never
partook in a general conversation.
1t was to him that Mrs. Wright
turned with her ready smile. which,
however, had something different in 1t
when her eyes met him.
"Coffee?' he said, interroGatiVely,
without moving mustache or beard,
and offered her his arm.
THANKS, Lourance, I WILL" replied
the little lady, with grateful smile.
During the last twenty years these two
had gone through that little ceremony
many hundreds of times.
They passed into another room ana
the Baroness was left elcne with Moa-
sieur jacob. He had possessed him.
self OF her engagement card, and was
now studying it, pencil in hand. Every
curve of his body, the very manner IN
which he held his pencil, his eagerly
bowed head, were expressive OF tie ut-
most Difference and respect.
The Baroness had not yet raised her
ewes from the polished floor. Her
strong white hands, beautifully shaped
and incased only in open-work mittens,
lay idly UPON her Jap. There was
something in her whole attitude, in the
repose of her fair fact, in her down.
cast eyes, which was forced and unnat-
ural. Hers was indeed beautiful
lace, scniotured on latter a smaller
scale than Englishnen admire. pale
and very calm, with red, level lips and
close set eyes. Her soft, colorless hair,
almost white in its exquisite fairness,
was arranged with extreme simplicity,
but she wore it parted upon me side,
IN accordance with fashier now obso-
,ete in England. She could not have
been more than twenty-five years OF
age, despite her repose of manner,
which was almost that Of matron.
When Monsieur jacob had made
sure that they were alone, the express
sion of his keen face underwent a re-
markable change, though his attitude
remained unaltered.
"Who? he asked in a low-pitched
voice. and with all unpleasant smile
"who is the old fossil who wears an
eyeglass in one eye and sees with the
other?" The Baroness raised her calm
blue eyes, and met Jacobps sardonic
smile with a contemptuous stare.
"Your conscience must indeed be al
evil one, Jacobi," she said, slowly.
"You are forever 'suspecting the most
innocent and harmless of treachery
and double-dealing."
Nevertheless, Baroness, who is that
man"
"That man, my friend, is one Lau-
rance Lowe-an English radical, which
means nothing. He has by this time
completely forgotten the existence of
both Of us. I should imagine that his
whole attention and time are given to
the management of his own affairs"
"You know him, then?" said jacob,
seating himself lightly and gracefully
near the Baroness.
"By reputation only
"You know .;ome one who knows
him well2' persisted the yiolinist,
calmly.
o. 81 do!'
"Ah! May Inquire"
The Baroness suddenly cast down
her eyes, and the white lids closed over
them. a faint pink tinge appeared on
either cheek.
II obtained my information from Mr..
Oh .rles Mistley,", she said in an in-