The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-04-10
CHAPTER ".
The Waiting-Maid.

lQe
Perry glanced up at the windows;
those of the sitting rooms were dark,
story. He moved rapidly to the back
of the house, and took a similar OBJ
servation of it; that side was dark.
Perry uttered his usual exclamation of
disappointment, a DUN of three syl-
tables, generally understood to be the
copyright of divines. He was evil
IDENTIFY puzzled what to do. After q
moments reflection, however, he
mounted some iron steps that led
from the garden to the drawing room
balcony, and also to a door which
gave egress to some smaller chamber,
probably a lady's boudoir; and taking
a half crown from his pocket, struck
with it the brass around the keyhole
twice. Amid the roaring of the wind,
the blow was unheard without, but
inside the house the noise was prob
ably distinct enough, especially to
ears that were accustomed to such a
signal. There was a considerable de-
lay, during which Perry stood with
one ear at the keyhole, and his foot
on the step prepared for instant fight
should the expected footsteps sound
unfamiliar to him. Adair crouched
down behind him, Swallowed by a
laurel bush, and watched his every
motion as a cat of tender years
watches "a rat of dangerous .dimen-
sions.
For a wonder, Perry showed no
trace of impatience (Which convinced
the other that he had been used to
wait under similar circumstances),
and remained in that statuesque
but somewhat strained position till
his signal was answered. A bolt was
quietly withdrawn, the door softly
opened, and after;a word or two-as
it seemed by the tone-of objection
on the part of the person within, the
young man was admitted
When the door had opened to Mr..
Perry's signal, it was at the touch of
a female hand indeed, but it was not
Sophy's.
This woman was much taller, had
a somewhat coarse complexion, and
wore a cap on her head of that de-
scription which is termed "fy-aWay,"
much affected by lady's maids. She
vas good looking, but her eyes were
| rather too small for her face, and
had a cunning look, which, in one OF
her position, suggested intrigue. On
the present occasion, however, the
expression of her face OF catching
| sight of her midnight visitor, was one
of mingled alarm and anger. She
made, indeed (thoughthis was doubt
less but a feint), asthough she would
| have closed the ~half-opened door in
his face had he not thrust in his
strong fingers and prevented it.
"You must be mad, Mr.. Perry, to
come here at such an hour as this"
| she exclaimed, Indignantly.
why did not your mistress come
to the ball?" he inquired sternly and
| without taking the least notice Of her
indignation.
"And what rs that to you, sir? I
mean" she added, alarmed by the
heavy frown that gathered on his
brow, what was there in her not
| going that can excuse your coming
here? You have no right
II have a right" he interrupted,
| with grim distinctness. 'Let me in"
And ignoring the resistance of her
we'll knit and far from delicate arm
as though it were a cobweb, he
pushed his way in and closed the door
behind him.
"And now, Mis- Jeanette Perkins,
where is your m%istress?"
Where everybody but a poor
lady's maid is, o. ought to be at this
time o. night-asleep in her bed"
"She is not a very early bird in
general" observed the young man
incredulously, and especially on ball
| nights. Why didn't she go to the
ball?"
That is the second time you have
asked that question, Mr.. Perry,
though there's no n so fit to an
swer it as yourself. How could she
go after what happened this even
ing?"
II did not hear of anything having
happened" returned the young man
:sullenlB
"Ah, then, I did, What I heard
was that while my mistress was sit
ting at a window of the canon'S
rooms and the procession was pass
ing, a young gentleman as ought to
have known better stood up in a
boat and drank her health out of a
quart pot"
Il didn't stand up" remarked Mr..
Perry, Indignantly.
Maybe because you couldn't"
was the sharp rejoinder. Indeed,
nobody who was in his right senses
could possibly have put such a dis
grace upon a young lady,"
Il didn't mean to do anything Of
that kind, of course" said the other,
exchanging his injured tone for M
Of apology.
Il suppose you thought it was pay
ing her a compliment. Her friends,
however, did not think so, at all
events; and they Took care that she
should run no risk Of another such
being paid her the same evening.
And that's why my poor dear young
, lady was not at the bail this even
ing"
She could have gone if she chose,