The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-10-02

saw no sign Oh C~CAsSlousiieSs oH hSi
part. Life had so few moments of
bliss that he could not and would not
DENY himself the draught that chance
had offered.
Miss Lambert was alone when
Glynn found himself in her presence,
and sitting at a writing table; she
rose quickly and came forward, with
outstretched hands. II am so glad
you have come" Glynn did not speak
immediately-he was surprised at
the intensity of his own delight on
finding himself once more beside her,
listening to her voice, holding her
hand, gazing into her eyes. He did
not know he was so far gone. She
looked paler, thinner, graver, than
when he last saw her. She wore a
black dress, and had a small scarf of
delicate lace tied loosely around her
throat. Her bright brown hair looked
golden even in the dull light of q gray
day, and there was something sad In
her pose and expression that Glynn
found infinitely touching.
"You knew l should return-at
least, your father did," he said at
length.
MY father did expect you; but L
I thought it likely that when you
were among our own friends, your
own people, you would not care to
leave them"
Il am afraid that you are not so
we'll as when / left" said Glynn,
drawing a chair near her writing
table, at which she had reseated her
self. "It is perhaps impertinent to
say that you are not looking as well,
as brilliant as you WERE"
Brilliant" she repeated, with a
brief, sweet smile. THAT I never
could be; but you are right, I am Ill
ill at ease, I "a My father.
All! he is so changed! know he is.
That is why I am so glad you have
come; he can speak to you, he may
speak to you. You may be able to
help him; but 1 am only a helpless,
ignorant girl. Yet l could do much If
l were QlrScleu.
81 should be most happy to be of
any use to Captain Lambert said
Glynn. mo doubt your aTectionate
anxiety inclines you to exaggerate,
but"
When you see him you will under
stand" interrupted Elsie, you will
| see that l do not exaggerate. He will
not tell me what has happened. He
says he has not lost his fortune. I
| should not care if he had, for I could
| earn money by singing, though not
on the stage. However, my knowing
would not help him, because I have
always been. shut up and am so ig-
| norant. You do not mind me telling
you all this, do you? Though l have
not known you long, my father has,
and-and-you seem like a real
| friend to him."
She looked full in his face, her
great soft eyes all suffused with tears
like violets laden with dew.
I am gratifed that you confde in
me, so far" said Glynn quietly, with
laudable self-control. II shall OBJ
| serve your father by the light of your
remarks; and If he is really in any
difficulty, or cares to consult me, I
shall be most happy to assist him so
far as I can. Probably his depres-
sion arises from some temporary
losses. Believe me-" and his dark
face lit up with a pleasant smile,
money is a most important factor
in existence; I am able to assert from
experience that there is no
so distressing as an empty pocket.
IF it is the loss of money" she re-
turned gravely, I'VE ought not to stay
here; life is very costly, l know; l
have paid everything for the last
eight months. My dear father is too
generous; we ought to manage as we
used when he was trying to save; he
might move about as his business re-
quired, and I could go back to good
Mrs. Kellett."
"Who is Mrs. Kellett?"
MY r-mother; the only
mother I have ever known; she lost
her baby and her husband, and took
me to love instead, at the time our
place was destroyed in Australia.
But, Mr.. Glynn, it is more than
money that disturbs my father"
Let US hope he will speak openly
to me; but I have no right to ask his
confidence. Now you must not worry
yourself unnecessarily. l am staying
as usual at the Hotel Wagram, and
have letters to write which will keep
me in till past II tomorrow, should
Captain Lambert feel disposed to
call"
II will tell him." said Elsie.
Then Glynn knew he ought to go;
but he could not tear himself away
Immediately. 1t was so charming,
this quiet confidential talk; so intoXi-
eating to see that her pale, anxious
face had frightened considerably;
certainly her composure, in the midst
of her depression and uneasiness, left
no room for any %fattering conviction
that no had impressed himself upon
her heart or imagination. So far all
was right; she treated him as a
friend, an honorable gentleman, in
whom she might trust, and nothing
mOre.
A little further talk of the books
Glynn had left with her, of her wish
to leave Paris, and revisit the farm
house, where most of her childish
days had been spent, and Glynn felt
he must not stay longer.
Shall you make any stay?" she
asked. as she gave him her hand ar