The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-05-31

" eeh you thiS stupid old story that
I've brought you here. It's really to
tell you sort Of sequel" She stroked
his hand gently once or twice. "As
say, I met this man and we've be.
came very fond Of each other. You un-
derstand? Then we quarreled-ouar-
relied quite badly-and l came away.
I've remembered him rather longer
than I remember most people-he was
one OF those dogged individuals who
stick In ones mind. But he has stayed
In mine for another reason Again
she looked up. "He has stayed because
you helped to keep him there. You
know how l have sometimes put nv
hands over your mouth and told you
that your eyes reminded me Of some
one else? Well. that some one else was
my Englishman. But you mustn't be
Jealous. He was horrid, obstinate
person, and you-well. you know what
think of you She pressed his hand,
But to come to the end of the story.
never saw this man since that long
ago time until-untl the night of
Blanche's partyw She spoke slowly, to
give full effect to her words Then she
waited for his surprise.
But the result was not what she ex-
pected. He said nothing, and, with an
abrupt movement, he drew his hand
from between hers.
aren't you surprlsedT she asked at
last with a delicate note of reproof.
He started slightly, as If recalled to
the necessity of the moment "Sur-
prised" he said. "Why should I be
surprised7 One person more or less ut
big party isn't astonishing. Besides.
you expect man to turn up sooner or
later In his own country. Why should
I be surprised?'
She lay back luxuriously. Because,
my dear boy" she said softly, Lit Ia a
mystery! It's one of those fascinating
mysteries that come once in a life
time"
Loder made no movement. "You
must explain" he said very quietly.
Lillian smiled. THAT'S Just what I
want to do. When I was In my tent
on the night Of Blanche's party, man
came to be gazed for. He came Just
like anybody else and laid his hands
upon the table. He had strong, thin
hands like-well. rather like yours.
ger OF his left hand-a heavy signet
ring and plain gold one"
Loder moved his hand imperceptibly
till the cushion covered 1t. Lillian's
words caused him no surprise, scarcely
even any trepidation. He felt now
that he had expected them, even wait
ed for them, all along.
II asked him to take of his rings"
she went on, land just for a second he
hesitated-I could feel him hesitate.
Then he seemed to have made up his
mind. for he drew them of. He drew
Them OF. Jack, and guess what Sawi
Do guessv'
For the hrst time Loder involuntari-
ly drew back into his corner Of the
couch. II never guess" he said
brusQuely.
Then I'll tell you. His hands were
the hands Of my Englishman! The
rings covered the scar made by 10
Kos teeth. I knew 1t instantly-the
second my eyes rested on 1t. 1t was
the same scar that I had bound up
dozens Of times, that had seen healed
before left Santasalare."
"And you? What did you ao?" Lo-
der felt 1t singularly difficult and un-
pleasant to speak.
"Ah, that's the point. That's where
I was stupid and made my mistake.
! should have spoken to him on the
moment. but didn't. You know how
one sometimes hesitates. Afterward
1t was too late."'
But you saw him afterward-in the
rooms" Loder spoke unwIllingly.
mo, I didn't-that's the other point.
i didn't see him In the rooms, and l
haven't seen him since. Directly he
was gone left the tent-I pretended
to be hungry and bored-but. though /
went through every room. he was no.
where to be found. Once"-she hesi-
tated aud laughed again-"once l
thought l had found him. but it was
only you-yOu. as you stood In that
doorway with your mouth and chin
hidden by Leonard Kaine's head.
Wasn't 1t a quaint mistaken
There was an gacertain pause. Then
broke the silS3ee suddenly. where
do ! come 81" he asked abruptly.
What am | ~anted forY'
no help to throw light on the mys-
terry! I've seen Blanche's list Of peo-
pie. and there wasn't man couldn't
place - no outsider ever squeezes
through Blanche's door. have ques-
toned BoDGss7Blesslngton, but he can't
remember who came to the tent last.
And Bobby was supposed to have kept
count" She spoke In deep scorn, but
almost Immediately the scorn faded
and she smiled again. '''Now that I've
explained. Jack" she added. what do
you suggest?"