The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-09-25
CHAPTER III.
Continued.
MRS. ALEXANDER.

az take a certain interest in it, and
I thought you did" He paused, lit
a cigar, and then said abruptly:
"vincent tells me you know MISS
Lambert's father; in fact, that you
are frequently his favored guest. How
does it happen that such a girl can
be the outcome of a society of bour-
geois and sharpers? You must pre-
sent me to this father when he ap-
pears; I should prefer your sponsor
ship to Vincent's."
"Why do you want to know a set OF
people so completely out of your
line?"
"I have a motive; not a very high
one, I confess, but sufficiently power
ful-curiosity. / want to find out
something about Miss Lambert's peo-
pie and history, for I am certain l
knew a relative Of hers many years
ago."
well you had better fall back on
your sporting acquaintance for an in
PRODUCTION; he is intimate with
Captain Lambert than l am"
"Ha! you refuse to be responsible
for me? That's deucedly shabby!
So he calls himself captain? He is
rather a queer fish, isn't he?"
THAT depends on our respective
ideas touching queer fish. He is not
a highly polished, courtly gentleman,
but he is, not a bad fellow, and he is
devoted to his daughter"
Indeed! Well, Glynn, I believe
you have seen a good deal of the
world, and it is pleasant to find that
so much faith in your fellow-crea-
lures survives the experience"
Faith is certainly a more agree
able sensation than doubt" returned
Glynn, unmoved. "By the way, I
quite forgot. I had an engagement
this evening. I am late already;
there is a fiacre." He hailed it.
"Will you drive with me, Deering?"
"No, thank you; I shall enjoy my
weed and a stroll, SO goodnight. I'll
look you up tomorrow or next day.
Curiosity" murmured Glynn, as
he rolled away toward Paris. us it
only curiosity I wonder who Elsie's
mother was? 1t seems too bad that
any unholy mystery should hang
round so sweet and frank a creature"
And recalling the beautiful eyes
which had looked up into his with
clear inconsistencies and unhesitat-
ing trust Glynn closed his W and
gave himself up to some delightful,
though disquieting, reflections.
What Internal bad luck!" thought
Deering, as he lit his cigar viciously.
81 did not dream of meeting that fell
low. I never reckoned on such an
obstacle. However, cost what it may,
I'll get to the bottom of her parent
age and history. If my suspicious are
right, I must get rid of her or bind
her to me ~indissolubly; and the last
would be the pleasanter process.
There is a wonderful charm about
her, and yet at times I can catch
traces of him, too! 1 wonder who
this father of hers is? I must get
at him. l wish 1 hadn't been obliged
to send that cad Vincent to the right
about so shortly, just to keep up ap-
pearances. 1t is double-distilled bad
luck to have that fellow Glynn here.
But if he thinks he is going to make
all the running with Miss Lambert he
is considerably mistaken. She is
1ovely-so lovely that I almost for
give her for existing"
Glynn waited impatiently for the
moment when he could present him
self at Madame Davilliers' weekly re-
ception. The reasons why he must
remain in Paris multiplied. He could
not leave Elsie until her father re-
turned, and then he must stay until
he got some clue to behring's
schemes. That there was mischief
brewing he felt convinced. Indeed,
he was inclined to believe that Deer
ing did not intend giving his real
name when Vincent introduced him
to Madame Davilliers and her friends,
but p~erceiving Glynn, he had prob
ably changed his intentions, and tele-
graphed accordingly to his associate.
Still, considering that Deering bore
a fair character, it was highly i'm
probable he would be guilty of any
overt baseness.
On reaching Madame Davilliers',
Glynn found about half a dozen init
mates already assembled. Monsieur's
parties at whist had been made up in
a small side room, and in the salon
Mademoiselle Antoinette and Elsie,
assisted by the singing master, were
performing a trio. Glynn waited till
this was I'VE to make his bow to the
lady of the house. enjoying from the
corner where he had stationed him
self an uninterrupted view of Elsie's
face, which had the rapt, faraway
look it always wore when she was
singing. How sweet and noble her
expression was. No, he would not
leave her, unless he felt sure she was
safe and her father forewarned. The
trio ended, young LIE Clerc pressed
forward with animated thanks. Then
Elsie looked round, as if seeking
some one; when her eyes met Glynn's
a bright, happy smile sparkled over
her countenance, and she made a
movement as if to go to him. He
was soon at her side.
You have some pleasant news, l
am sure?" he said, as he took her
hand.
II have indeed. My father has re-
turned; he will be here presently,
and he looks so we'll. He is 80 re-
freshed by the sight Of the sea that
he saws he will take me to Brittany,