The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-11-27

eraDly large ROOM dL Iue uaGh VI IL
house.
1t was simply furnished. Here
his conductress left him, and disre-
garding her invitation to take a
cheer" he stood by the fire, his eyes
fixed on the door in a state of painful
expectancy. The sound Of footsteps
overheard, the murmur of voices
made themselves heard, then the door
| slowly opened, and Elsie herself came
in softly. She was dressed in black,
but not in mourning, and looked
deadly pale; her eyes seemed larger
and darker than they used. She made
a step or two into the room, and then
stopped, holding out both hands, a
smile curving her lip, which yet
trembled, as if on the verge of tears.
Glynn seized the hands she offered,
and, in the rapture Of seeing her
again. kissed them more than once.
II have imagined such horrors that I
cannot restrain my JOY at finding
you," he exclaimed, his voice broken
with intense feeling. why have you
caused us this cruel anxiety"
How good you are to care so
much" she said, looking at him with
a wondering expression. you will
find I am not to blame. Oh! l feared
I should never get leave to write to
you, that you would think I had
broken my promise! I wished to
send for you long ago. I know we
can trust you"
"We!" Good heavens; was she
married, then? "We!" he repeated
hoarsely-"who-who do you mean?
your husband and YOURSELF"
MY husband" a smile cleaning
over her face. II am not married!
No-my father"
Your father" letting her with
| draw her hands. "He is in America,
is he not?"
HE is here-here in this house."
ri feel bewildered," said Glynn,
taking the seat she pointed to and
drawing it ear her. "Will you not
enlighten me?"
Il know so little, and my father
wishes to tell you everything him.
self! All! you will see him so
changed. Will you come to him?
Now he has agreed to let you come,
he is quite anxious to see YOU"
"In a moment. Tell me, how are
you yourself? You look weary, as if
yo,, b,6 crfarad
81 have. 1t has been such a
w%retched, miserable time, almost I'M
bearable, until my father came-al-
ways hiding, always a mystery"
And how did Lambert-how did
your father find you?"
MY father find me?" with an air
of establishment. "Ah! he will tell
you everything. Come up stairs to
him"
Elsie led the way up 4 narrow stair
to the upper story, the same look Of
neat simplicity characterizing the
rest of the house, and opening the
door Of a good-sized bedroom, she
said, Here is Mr.. Glynn, dear"
In a large armchair, his feet on a
footstool, and covered by a warn
plaid, propped by pillows, and close to
a good fire, sat, or rather reclined,
Lambert, a small table a him, on
which stood a medicine bottle and a
glass. A door leading to another
room stood open.
Elsie was right. Her father was
woefulE changed. His cheeks were
hollow; his skin yellow and wrinkled.
AS he turned to gaze eagerly toward
the door, a smile Of pleasure beamed
over his face as Glynn advanced.
"Ah! this is kind-this is like a good
fellow, and 1 always thought you
were," he whispered in a weak, trem-
ulous voice. Il have just been weary
ing to see you, but afraid, afraid"
You know, Lambert, I am worthy
Of some trust, and desire nothing
more than to be of service to you,"
said Glynn s%uppressing all tokens of
his immense surprise, and speaking
with studied calmness. Now that
you have allowed me to know your
address, ? car come often to see you,
and can 10 anything you want in
the way OF commissions"
"Ah! but we must take care-we
must take care" He sighed deeply.
While he spoke Elsie had measured
out his medicine, and now gave it to
him, saying, TRY not to speak too
much, dear father. I will leave you
to have a nice visit from Mr.. Glynn
all to yourself" with a sweet, kind
smile and thankful look. 81 shall see
you before you CO." She closed the
door between the two rooms.
Lock the other one, lock it,
Elsie" said Lambert, eagerly.
Yes, l will" She disappeared.
Come neal me, nearer; we must
speak low" said the invalid.
Tell me-" said Lambert, do you
think I am lodging the police because
l hide away from everyone?"
mo! There is something wrong,
Of course-concealment always i'm
plies that; but I suspect you are more
sinned against than SHINING; at any
rate, l repeat, if l can serve you
"Ay," interrupted Lambert; "but
to serve me you must know all, and
that is more than Z can tell to-day.
Glynn, all l car find strength to say
is, will you help me to save my Elsie?
Will you be her guardian. and take
cara of her little %fortune?"
Il will" said Glynn; but I trust
and see every ease to hope that you
will be her guardian yourself for
many a long year,"