The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-03-20
CHAPTER XXXII.
Confession.

Charles Mistley never gave Lena
the full account Of his discovery OF
Jacobs little plot. 1t is so easy tc
put off an explanation till a more
convenient occasion, which somehow
never arises. From Lowe she could
learn neutrality-suspicious. were not
his forte.
And so the subject was shelved,
partly with deliberate intention on
the part of the young sailor, partly
by the advent of a more momentous
question. jacob disappeared, and
never returned into Lena's life to
wake up memories best left to sleep.
Marie Bakovitch left England with
Ivan Meyer. Some years later Mrs.
Mistley heard of her in Paris, recog-
nizing the beautiful Russian girl in
a vivacious French description of the
"ravishing" wife of a rising young
artist.
On the day completing the eigh-
teenth month after VINEYARD Mistley's
departure there was a dinner party
at the house in Seymour street. Any
disinterested and experienced matron,
watching the arrival of the guests
from behind the laths of a Venetian
blind, would unhesitatingly have
propehsied a slow and wearisome
evening for the guests at this enter
tainment. There were no ladies'
"absolutelC no ladies, my dear!'-
except Mrs. Mistley and Lena and her
mother.
The only young man was Charles
Mistley, ,and he was handicapped by
the presence of half a dozen veterans
-white-haired old warriors, who
were desperately attentive and vastly
gallant to the ladies, more especially
to Lena; sturdy old rolling stones,
with an inexhaustible fund Of anec-
dotes little calculated to entertain the
fair. These old stagers, however, did
weighty justice to the delicacies set
before them, and were nightly
pleased with the manner in which
they each and ~severally entertained
the ladies.
Mrs. Wright led the way to the
drawing room at the first opportun-
ity, and the old fellows were left to
pull down their waistcoats with a
grave sense of satisfaction at the
skillful in which they had
kept up the spirits of the assembly.
When they at length trooped into
the drawing room, they found the
two elder ladies sitting together near
the fireplace, while Lena stood in the
narrow window, taking advantage OF
the last rays of daylight to complete
some dainty piece of needlework.
Charles Mistley lounged across the
room, and occupied in a mastery
manner the remainder of that win.
dow.
Vhe fading light of the sunset was
fully reflected on Lena's face as she
stood in the recess of the tall win
dow, working deftly. Charlie, lean
ing against the wall opposite her, was
looking at her %absently. One would
hardly have thought that he was not.
ing the little painful droop Of her
eyelids when she ceased speaking. He
had not the reputation Of a keen OBJ
server.
His reflections were interrupted by
the advent of Adonis, who solemnly
crossed the room at this moment to
pay his respects. He stopped and
caressed the dogs rough head for
some moments; then, without raising
his eyes, he Said.
Lena"
eyes"
The girl looked up from her work
with her ready smile, which had of
late grown almost mechanical.
eat last-at last 1 am going to do
something"
ITO do something's" she repeated,
with ready interest.
To-day is Tuesday," he replied;
ION Friday I start for Central Asia.
| am going to seek Win"
She grew very pale; the color even
left her lips. Charlie continued to
gaze out of the window.
And I will keep you posted up as
to my whereabouts. If l miss him
if we pass each other on the way
you should be able to stop me some
where; the colonel is arranging all
that. But, after all, if 1 wander
about there, say, for a year or so, it
does not matter much. A year more
or less out of an idle life Is Of no
great consequence"
He stopped, and looked down at
her with his lazy, placid smile. Pres
emily she looked up and met his eyes.
TO be continued.l