The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-11-20
CHAPTER VIII.
Dawning Light.

DdWHluS LlSHL.
Glynn was true to his promise.
He forced himself back to something
of his old routine. He took a deeper
interest in business than before, and
found something of relief in the men
tai effort it obliged him to make.
Men said Glynn was greatly
changed since that bad fever he had
had. Women thought him more in
~teresting. The truth was hardly sus-
pected.
One Of the chief interests in this
new phase of Glynn's existence was
to watch Deering, whom he frequent
ly met.
Glynn did not reject his advances,
though never lapsing into intimacy.
Deering often spoke Of Lambert, and
volunteered the information that the
New York police had their eye upon
him, that he had arrived all right,
landed, and gone away South almost
Immediately.
Gradually it dawned upon Glynn
that Deering was watching him, that
he suspected him of knowing more OF
Elsie's disappearance than any one
else. He was careful not to let Deer
ing see that he perceived this, and so,
under the fair seeming of friendly ac-
quaintanceship, the two men kept
watch over each other with deadly
pertinacity and keenness, Glynn keep
ing profoundest silence as to his con-
viction that he had heard Elsie's
voice.
Sometimes he felt that he would
give all he possessed to shake himself
clear of the haunting horror which
poisoned his life. On the whole, evil
anticipations pr~edominated. He had
been greatly disappointed at Lam
bert's avoidance of him. He could
not bear to think that the unhappy,
bereaved father had withdrawn his
confidence.
In the last week of February Deer
ing's land agent came to town, bring
ing with him maps, plans and calcu-
lations. To Glynn's great surprise
he proved to be a certain Dick Wei
don, formerly one of his school fell
lows. This recognition led to some
intercourse. Glynn, without DELHI
crate question, ing, gathered a good
deal Of information, which threw a
new light on behring's character in
some directions.
His old acquaintance dined with
him, and they talked over bygone
days and boyish escapades with zest,
at least on Weldon's side.
One cold, dry, dark evening Glynn
had accepted an invitation to dine
with Weldon at the hotel in Holborn
where he usually stayed on his short
visits to town.
Dinner was over, and both men
were enjoying a cigar, when to the
great surprise of both Deering was
ushered in. He apologized shortly
for his intrusion, and explained that
he had just had private intelligence
that the member for a borough town
near Denham a dangerously Ill,
and that he (Deering) wished to win
the probably vacant seat. He there
fore wished Weldon, who knew the
local population, ana was well able
to feel it's pulse, to leave town next
morning and put matters in train for
an immediate canvass.
AS soon as ne could withdraw with
out too rude a display of Indifference,
Glynn rose to say good night; when
Deering, somewhat to his annoyance,
proposed to go with him.
Il have no more to say now, Wei
don. AS soon as the death or retire
ment is declared, I will go down to
Dennam."
On reaching the entrance Of the
hotel, they stopped, intending to call
a cab, and while waiting Glynn's at
tention was attracted by two cloaked
and yelled women, who were standing
close together, just within the door
way. One was tall and stout, the
other barely Of middle size; her
shoulders, even though the rain cloak
wrapped round her, showed unmis-
taxable grace-unmistakable and ia
miliar; a small hat was entirely en-
veloped in a thick veil, which was
tied over her face, the ends being
brought loosely round the throat to
the front. Glynn's eyes were riveted
on this figure, while he seemed to be
peering into the darkness, and felt
nervously anxious not to direct Deer
ing's notice to the object which at
tracted him.
IF he could only hear her speak,"
He listened %intently.
1T is useless, we must try an omni-
bus, it is really safer" he overheard
the taller lady say. The other muir
INJURED something, and turning her
head, displayed, in spite of her
muf1ing, a morsel of white neck, and
a glimpse Of golden brown hair.
Glynn's heart beat. At all risks, he
must keep that girl in view; any mis-
take was better than to lose the faint
est chance. But Deering must not
know his suspicious.
At last the taller of the two women
said, Come" and went forth into the
street. At that moment an IslSngton
omnibus drove up. She stepped for
ward under the nearest lamp, tried
to stop it by waving her umbrella.
The vehicle was full, and the two
cloaked figures walked slowly away
toward Oxford street.
Excuse me-" said Glynn, abruptly,
81 am anxious to get home; l will