The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-04-22
YES" said lola, thoughtfully. II

YES" said lola, thoughtfully. II
think that is true"
She rose, and they Joined the 9TH
ers, and before long the guests took
their leave. Colonel Curtis fingered
to the last, talking aside with his
betrothed.
Reggie was in a fume of impotence
till he also was gone. Then, az the
door closed upon him, he put his
arm around his mother and said,
well, Mamma, I have done the
deed"
"Oh! Reggie! you don't mean it?"
And Janet and lola case up
breathlessly.
Eyes, it is all right, she has &C
cepted me; and l think on the whole
1 have done very we'll"
Il should think you have" said
Mr.. Denstone, plaintively. 1.-TWO
thousand a year and such a fine wom-
an for a wife! Done we'll? I should
think so, indeed"
Il hope you will be happy, Reggie,
darling" whispered lola, caressingfy.
81 am sure she is kind and good"
Il think it is an excellent thing"
said Janet, in a tone so like Frederick
Curtis that Reggie could not help
laughing.
Yes, my dear" he said, looking
complacently at his handsome sister,
we may both be said to have done
we'll for ourselves"
lola stole away to bed. The way
the two beauties of the family spoke
Jared upon her, and she wanted Ar
thur sorely.
Janet came to her room presently
and sat down by her bed. "Tola,
darling" she said, Il hope you won't
mind my saying it, I know you never
do mind when n says things; but
do you know, dear Frederick thought
it did not, look quite we'll for you to
be sitting talking all alone to Mr..
Irvine for so long behind the screen"
But lola would not quite stand
that. "Tell him to mind his W af-
fairs" she said, gently.
lola, you don't mean it," cried
Janet, terribly scandalized.
II am asleep. Don't talk or you
will waken me-" murmured lola,
from under the bed clothes, and
Janet, to her indignant remon-
strances, could get no further answer.
The next day, according to his
promise, Mr.. Irvine sent a telegram
% Goucy, and in the course of some
hours received an answer: "The
English gentleman left Goucy three
weeks ago, and his letters are lying
here unclaimed"
Mr.. Irvine was now seriously
alarmed. He sent another telegram,
asking whether Monsieur Rigaud of
Mon Repos was at home or not, and
prepaid the answer. That evening
the answer came: Monsieur Rigaud,
three weeks ago, was murdered and
robbed at Mon Repos. No one in
the house to answer letters"
The mystery seemed to increase.
Taking the two kilograms in his
hand, Mr.. Irvine went over to Den
stone Court ard showed them to
lola.
Il was quite sure that there was
something very wrong she said,
turning deadly :ale. And now what
can be done?"
There is only one thing that can
be done,' he answered, quickly. Il
shall start at once for Goucy."
you? Oh, how can I let you do
it,"
Remember hat I am en- my way
abroad already, and it matters very
little to mt where l go. All | want is
a thorough rest and change of air;
and l could not rest until l SOLVED this
mystery
1T frightens me-" said lola. 81 do
not know what to think. Oh! how I
wish l could 60 Also"
Tomorrow, then, I shall start
he said, by the first train, and I
promise you shall hear from me at
once
You will keep nothing back? You
will tell me all! I am very brave and
very strong" said poor, little, CULVER
ing lola.
Yes" he answered. There is no
more cruel wrong than to keep back
the truth. I will tell you everything,
and will write every day; and now I
must go. l must tell my mother,
and there are a good many arrange
ments that must be made"
To be Continued.