The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-02-20

is COLuluS
Yes, he is coming" replied her
mother, thoughtfully, almost anx-
iously.
Charles Mistley had been the only
member of the little circle who had
refused, persistently and continually,
to acknowledge any feeling of anx-
iety at his brothers silence. His
letters, written in the Mediterranean,
seemed to have caught the sunshine
and jo%yousness of that favored sea.
No thought of anxiety, no suspicion
of doubt, was allowed to find place
in the closely written pages. More
than a year had elapsed since Win
yards departure, and the silence was
yet unbroken. War had at times
appeared imminent, and then from
mere lack of interest had lapsed into
peace again. Great storms had
passed over the world-revolutions,
murders and bloodshed-but Charles
Mistley's faith had never waVered.
The black line on Colonel Wright's
map had turned back; it had even
regained civilization, and yet no
word was forthcoming. Despite this,
Charlie laughed at anxiety. Worst
Of all, Vineyards name had gradually
been dropped from conversation at
the house in Seymour street. The
topic was tacitly avoided as we avoid
the mention of those dear names
which gain no answer now.
It was to this that Charles Mistley
was coming home.
A few days after the arrival of the
letter he presented himself in Sey-
mour street. Although he had given
no notice of his coming, he was for
tunate enough to find every one at
home. There was, however, another
visitor in the room when he arrived.
This was a brother officer of Colonel
Wright's, who had stopped his cab
in passing through Seymour street
to call and leave two brace Of part
ridges.
At last the old sportsman took his
leave, and the colonel accompanied
him to the door. When the latter
returned, the fact had apparently
slipped his memory that he had
shaken hands with Charlie before,
for he went through the ceremony
again, taking Charles left in his
right somewhat awkwardly.
How is the ARM" he asked, glanc-
ing at the sling, which the young
sailor somehow managed to yea so
that it failed to attract attention.
1.-THE arm is getting on splendidly,
thank you," he replied in rather a
constrained tone. The colonel had
left the door open, and now the young
sailor crossed the room to close it.
He stopped in order to see that the
bolt had acted properly, and then he
turned and faced Colonel Wright.
Il have news" he said, quietly, COT
VINEYARD"
"Ah!" exclaimed the old soldier,
rising from the seat he had just re-
sumed. TELL me all about it! News
at last! Thank Cod"
ct is a long story" began the
other, in his slow manner.
"Then be quick with it," inter-
rupted Mrs. Wright, with an impa-
tient laugh. A little Catching" sigh
of relief came from Lena's corner of
the room.
LET us hear all about it," said the
colonel, pointing to a chair.
But Charlie appeared to prefer
standing. He took his station at the
corner of the mantel piece, and while
he was speaking he tidgeted with the
ornaments there, taking them up and
setting them down again one after
the other. He told his story with
characteristic simplicity and short
ness.
The day before yesterday" he
said, 81 was at the club at Plymouth,
reading a paper or something, when
a fellow came and said, Commander
Mistley,' in a casual sort of way, and
held out his hand. I shook it, n
let him have it back, and then he
said I am Henry Akryl.' was none
the wiser, so I said Yes in vague
way"
II know exactly how you said it,"
interrupted Lena, with a little laugh.
"Well, it ultimately transpired that
he dined with US one day in the Per-
sian Gulf. He is an Eastern author
~ uyrifne hnnIc nv r0Qd0 1nCnrln-
tions, or something. Then he told
me his story. In January he was at
Kizil Arvat. One day he was in the
bazaar, and, Of course, was being pes
tered by the scum of the place. who
wanted him to buy rubbish of every
description. He is the ccrt Of man
who never buys curiosities, and he
finally got rid of them all except one
fellow, who followed him most per-
sistently, rel out of the bazaar. He
turned down a narrow street where
the grain merchants have their stalls;
but this fellow still followed him,
and kept thrusting his wares for
ward. His particular line of business
was old jewelry, Moscow crosses,
cheap bangles from Kieff, and that
sort of thing. He whined out a
prayer for charity in the most aggra-
waiting manner, and once or twice
Akryl struck his hand aside. Sud-
denly, however, he ceased whining.
and said in perfect English: Don't
look round; don't stop; but listen to
what 1 tell you Akryl seems to be a
sharp fellow, for he walked on with
out showing any surprise. Then the
iewelry merchant went on: When
you get back, go or write to Colonel
William Forster Wright, 10 Seymour
ct.nnt nndnp Dan,nn,hnn tho oil