The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-03-06
CHAPTER xxx.
Blackmail.

SlSDDSo lAC 100 VI
CHAPTER xxx. q
Blackmail.
Laurance Lowe and Charlie Mist
ley were not cursed with the conspir-
ator's vice of too much talk and too
little action. From the evening when
they had first laid their heads to-
gether until some weeks afterward,
no word passed between them rela-
tive to Lena or Monsieur jacob.
The subject was by mutual under
standing allowed to drop, though it
was ever to the fore in others mind.
However, one evening when they
were walking home together from
what was modestly called a musical
~soiree, Charlie unearthed the sub
ject. The evening had been a dull
one. Lowe and his young compan-
ion had undoubtedly been screly out
of their element, and both knew that
their presence at the entertainment
was due to the fact that the Wrights
had been there. Lena had sung once
beautifully and simply, as was her
wont. And the Baroness de Nam
title had obliged the assembled multi
tude three times. Her splendid
voice had been greatly assisted by
the artistic violin obligato of Mon
sieur jacob.
II did not get much further on
tonight" said the young sailor, as
he stopped beneath a lamp post to
light his cigar.
Lowe, with his hand pushed deep
into the pockets of his loose top coat,
and an ancient opera hat tilted rath-
er forward ove his eyes, stopped
also, and watched the delicate oper-
alton.
Couldn't be expected" he said,
rather indistinctly, by reason of the
cigarette between his lips.
with jacob there, you mean?"
"Um-m."
"Did you notice that he took no
notice of any of our party?"
"Overdid it."
How"
"We came in late" said Lowe. "It
was unnatural not to look up"
They walked IN. smoking pensive-
ly, and on the deserted pavement
their steps rang out like the tread of
enc foot.
II have followed up your hint"
said Charlie; land I think you are
right; jacob is mixe4 up in it some
where"
slippery customer" muttered
Lowe.
II have brought all my irresistible
powers of fascination to bear upon
the baroness, but somehow I do not
get on very rapidly. I cannot under
stand her-she is extremely change
able. At times she is most gracious,
and then suddenly she seems to be-
come distrustful. However, in one
of her gracious moou, she may make
a mistake some day. and then"
Lowe took the cigarette from his
lips, and after a pause he said:
There is one way Of working it,"
"Yes?"
make love to her"
THAT is not much in my line Of
country" said the sailor, with rather
an awkward laugh.
Laurance loves cold-blooded sug-
gostion bore rapid fruit. The follow
ing afternoon Charles Mistley called
at the house where the Baroness de
Nanlille had for the time taken
rooms. This was in an unfrequented
street leading eastward from Port
land place. AS the young sailor
turned the corner into Duke street.
he deserted the graceful figure of
Monsieur jacob at the far end, going
in the opposite direction. This
caused him to slacken his pace SO as
to allow the violinist time to get
round the corner before he rang the
bell of No. 81.
The Baroness was at home.
Charles Mistley gave his name. and
after a short delay was requested to
step upstairs. AS he entered the
drawing room. she arose from a seat
near the window to greet him, but
did not advance a single step.
In Difference to her foreign us
tom, the young Englishman bowed
without offering his hand. He no
ticed that the Baroness was per-
fectly self-possessed, although very
pale. Then he broke the momentary
silence without displaying the least
sign OF ,barrassment or hesitation.
Miss Wright is not here?" he
said, quietly.
No"
"But this is her day, is it not, ma
dame?'
NO: she comes to me tomorrow"
"Ah! | have deranged you for