The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-08-21
CHAPTER I.
Striking the Trail.
By r ALEXANDER.

ollihihS SAO
Paris on a bright April morning.
Can any city make a brighter, Drawer
show under a clear blue sky and a
brilliant sun, the chestnuts in the
Champs Elysees and Tuileries gar
dens bursting into bloom, the flower
market Of the Madeleine a mass of
color, exhaling delicious perfume, the
fair purchasers in the first freshness
Of their spring attire, the tide of
business and Of pleasure at the full
est food. 1t is a sight to fill any
heart tolerably free from pressing
anxiety with an irresistible Of
youth.
Though the month was still young
the weather was warm enough to
make open windows an agreeable
addition to the comfort of a pretty
little salon in the e%ntre-sol Of Maui
rice's Hotel, where an elderly lady
was seated at a table on which a
dainty dejeuner vas laid out.
She was not handsome, never could
have been handsome, her face was
broad and strong, with small twink
ling black eyes and q heavy jaw.
Her figure still showed traces of the
symmetry for which she had been
remarkable, and the hand she
stretched out to take another oyster
was fine, both in shape and color.
Her rich black silk dress, the lace OF
her cap, the jewels on her fingers, all
her surroundings indicated wealth.
her expression, comfortable self-sat-
isfaction.
She finished an oyster with an air
of enjoyment, and then, looking at,
her watch, murmured HE Is late"
AS she spoke, the door was opened,
and a waiter announced IN. Glynn."
The visitor was a tall, broad
shouldered man, of perhaps thirty
five OR more, with very dark hair.
eyes and complexion, well dressed
and easy in his bearing and move
ments. yet not looking quite like a
club or a drawing-room man.
This is not your usual p%unctual-
ity, Hugh said the lady, smiling
benignly, as she stretched out a well
coming hand, "but you make your
own punishment; Time. tide. and
vol au vents, wait for no man"
II have a thousand apologies to
make! You may be sure the delay
was unavoidable or I should not have
kept you waiting"
But have not waited! Take
some oysters-and then tell me what
has kept you, If it is a discreet ques-
ton"
Perfectly. No oysters, thank
you. Do not let me delay the routine
of your %dejeuner. Just as I was
leaving the 'Bourse.' I ran against
Deering Of Denham. who insisted on
walking almost to the door with me-"
"Trayers Deering? 1 did not know
he was in Paris. Is Lady Frances
with him." :.-
"She is, for he honored me with
an invitation to dinner tomorrow,
mentioning that Lady Frances would
be very glad to see me. I was en-
gagged. however; / don't find dining
with Travers Deering a cheerful oc-
cupation. Though Lady Frances
keeps a brave front there is a pro-
found sadness in her eyes. oriI fancy
there is"
Fancy! yes: I suspect your fancy
is tolerably vivid still. Now eat your
luncheon, and we will talk present
ly." She proceeded to press various
dainties on her guest, who ate mod
erately.
II don't think you care for good
things as much as I do" said the
hostess, leaning back in her chair;
81 am always yexed with people who
don't car what they eat; it shows
deficiency of brain power. Now tell
me-haye you succeeded this E:orn-
ing?"
YES" he returned with a smile,
as he poured out another half-cup
of coffee; 81 have disposed of all
your Honduras shares. not at par,
but at a trifing decrease. Here"
drawing--out his p~ocketbook. "are
bills and notes to the amount of fif-
teen hundred pounds. l am glad you
are out Of the concern you might
have lost double the amount; pray
avoid these foreign bubble companies
in future. none Of them are to be
trusted. Lady Gethin-none that offer
high interest are"
my dear Hugh. I will never do
anything without your advice again:
1 have had a perfect nightmare about
these horrld things. l am no miser.
but l hate to lose money; I am very
glad you managed to get rid of these
shares so soon. for I want to 60 back
to London tomorrow; the rooms |
have had altered in that old house of
mine are ready; 1 am dying to furnish
them"
"Well. you had better post this
money to your bankers, and register
your letter. than carry it about with
you"
Eyes, it would be the best plan.
Shall you stay here much longer?"
"Some little time: l have a special
mission to execute for the House,
which may keep me a few weeks"
"Be sure you ONE and see me di-
rectly you return; and do 60 and see
Lady Frances Deering; she would be
a charming woman if she let herself
60. I was always interested in her.
Why can't she get on with Deering?
He is good-looking. well bred. we'll
thought of. and not very much older
than herself"