Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-13
THE STORY OF
TWO FRIENDS.
BY EDGAR FAWCETT
BY EDGAR EAWCETT.

This same evening he and MS VIE
were invited to a large reception given
by a certain Mrs. Meredith Grosvenor'
q lady who affected to be the leader,
par excellence, of American fashiona-
bles in Paris. Mrs. Blocker was some
what unwell that evening, and Julian
eagerly seized upon her indisposltlon
as a pretext for advising her not 10
go. AS it was, he himself went alone
since he had been made the recipient
of the great Mrs. Grosvenor's cards un-
der circumstances of unusual courtesy.
This potentate's rooms were crowded
when Julian entered them, at
somewhat tardy hour. A sense or tree-
dom, which was doubtless owing to
his wife's absence, made the enter
tainment almost a pleasure to him.
That wretched feeling, which so close
" resembled being on the verge OF
some disgraceful detection and expos
ure, was for the present removed.
He walked here and there, meeting
certain people, and holding pleasant
chat with them. Suddenly, to his
great surprise, he found himself face
to face with his old friend, Sydney
Brentford.
II was eleven years since they had
parted, and now they met in foreign
land. neither being expectant, hoWso-
ever remotely, of the others presence
until their amazed eyes interchanged
looks. The first thought which entered
either mind after recognition concern
ed the personal change wrought oy
eleven years But the change in sgd
ney was by far the more accentuated
and observable. His hair was heavily
sprinkled with gray. He had shaved
off his mustache, and about that SEN
sitiye-cut mouth there were new,
strange lines, whilst his furrowed ror-
head and generally careworn face cas-
lily suggested forty years, rather tnan
his actual age of five-and- thirty.
Sydney told Julian that he had been
in Paris considerably over two years
He had no idea of his former friends
presence here. Many questions ana
answers passed between the two men,
but Julian did not find himself inter-
rogated on the subject Of the ship
wreck.
He cannot know that I was among
the passengers" DR.. Bleeker made
grateful reflection. After they had
talked together a little while and re-
covered from the great surprise or
meeting each other, Julian proposed
that Sydney should accompany him
home. Sydney was not averse, though
the hour was something near midnight;
and so they were presently driven to
Julian's apartments.
During this drive home it is probable
that Sydney observed how large
share of the talking was done by him.
self. Julian was in truth asking his
own thoughts over and over again the
question, Shall l reveal to this man
my guilty secret? Shall ease my
bosom of its load by letting some one
else in the world know what false
and cowardly part have played?"
When he reached his residence, Ju-
lan's mind was made up. He had re-
solved to tell Sydney something, though
not all His wife had, of course, re-
tired for the night.
The sitting room which they had en-
tered was dimly lighted. Julian turn
ed up one gas jet and lit others, max
ing things look as cheerful as he could
in a flurried, nervous way. He then
sat down beside his friend, and in an
equally nervous way began his confess
sion.
He said nothing about the disaster,
nor about the Liverpool residence which
followed it. He left out all references
of a local character, and would have
omitted his wifes name from the narra-
ton if he had not been ignorant Of 1t.
Treating his fault in a wholly alb
stract way, Sydney" he said, Il ap-
peal to you for advice. Having gone
certain distance, find it too late to re-
trace my steps. And yet conscience
cries out now as she never cried be-
fore. 1t is this cursed Paris, I suppose,
which has somehow made the change
in me. People have gathered about my
wife-I have had a terrible realizing
sense of her position and my own-I
have seen as with new eyes what a
bombshell the future may contain. Do
you understand me?"
Understand you!" Sydney Brent
ford sprang from his chair as he res
bonded. why, Julian, 1 can ill-be-
lieve my understanding when it tolls
me that you have gotten yourself into
so dolefuly absurd a fix. But it still
amazes me to conceive how you met
this lady whom you represent thus
prostrated from fright when you found
her. What was the cause of her fright!
Why was she utterly without friends!
Had you no means of identifying her
except by advertising. as you tell me?
II sounds almost incredible. And yet
of course"
And yet it is true, Sydney" Julian
broke in. like a great many other
strange things. Accept my facts,
please. as facts, and don't ask me to
explain them. Perhaps I will do so at
YOU. Just now the old habit of con-
cealment clings to me, so that I find 1t
almost impossible to say more. My
only reason for speaking to this eX-
tent is desire to find out your opinion
Of my fault, and ask you whether
his voice faltered considerably now
whether you think that provided /
wish to repair what have"
Sydney's dark eyes were flashing as
he here interrupted his old friend. In
dignation stamped itself on every feat
ure. and something very like a con-
temptuOus curl had possession OF one
delicate chiseled lip.
Repair what you have done!' he
repeated. "Oh. Julian, is it really you
whom hear speak" He began rapid
lv pacing the room. whilst he waved
both his hands before him, as though
seeking to wave away distasteful
Su66aOly no ponSp0 and