The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-10-06
CHAPTER II.
Continued.

"Jac, you must be mad" said
Doris, aghast. You know the story.
Trevor was papa's college classmate
and friend. For years the two had
been as Damon and Pythias, as David
and Jonathan. They were partners
in a well-known banking concern.
To Trevor the investments had long
been intrusted. Papa also loaned
him money in private. One day Ire
vor disappeared. He had realized on
all the securities in his possession,
and literally stripped papa of every
thing. Sometimes I have wondered
If he was always a traitor and thief
at heart, or did he yield to some sud-
den great temptation? Miss Win
gate once limited that a crisis in his
own private affairs may have pro-
voked the crime. Anyway, papa was
beggared-ruined. He shot himself.
Mamma had long been an invalid.
The shock of these misfortunes killed
her. This is what you and I W to
Philip Trevor. And from such a man
you think to win r~eparation? My
poor Jac!"
YES" answered J%acqueline, firm
ly, "he must restore our money!"
"Oh, my dear, your scheme is not
feasible-it is not even safe! I tell
you, Trevor left the country long
ago"
Then I must find out where he is
now living, and go in quest Of him."
"Alone?"
Eyes. You are not strong enough
to bear me company, Doris, and any
other person would hinder, rather
than help, my chances of success"
Doris began to cry into her hand
kerchief. .
This is dreadful! What put such
an idea into your head?"
= Your necessities, dear. I looked
at you, ailing and unhappy, and the
inspiration came to me like a fash"
Il wish you had never, never
thought of it," w~himpered Doris.
You will not find him, and even if
you do, a girl of your years can be
no match for a seasoned scoundrel
like Trevor,
Doris, you promised just now that
you would not oppose mel"
Then followed sobs and kisses,
mingled with words Of coaxing en-
dearment. Upon these the apologize
voice of Teddy Craven broke at last.
Pardon" he said. I'VE have ar
rived at Mr.. Wingate's house."
The carriage had stopped in a
highly respectable, but not at all
fashionable street, before a square
brick dwelling, with stone trimmings,
and a high, sepia-colored stoop. The
Wingates, though we'll connected,
were plain people. Craven assisted
the ladies to alight. He had regained
his composure, but his rugged, boy
ish face looked haggard and pale.
AS the girls entered the Wingate
parlor a small, gray lady, in black
silk, rustled forward to meet them,
and flung her arms around Jacque-
line.
You are very welcome, my dear"
she said. Have you had a pleasant
voyage? My brother will be with US
directly. MI. Craven must remain
to lunch. Where is he? Oh, help
ing the driver with the luggage.
That young man is always ready to
make himself. useful at anything.
Take your sister to her room, Doris
the n next your own, my dear"
But Jacqueline had espied a dog
basket in a corner, near the blazing
gas log, and in it an old dachshund
curlets up on a cushion. She swooped
down upon the animal and clasped
him in her arms.
1t is Trojan" she said. in a
choked voice, mammals Trojan"
The little, ugly, long-bodied crea-
ture licked her hand. Her tears fell
on his brown face. Miss Wingate
was very deaf. She put up her a
trumpet, and %interposed briskly:
Yes, Trojan grown fat and old
he is the pet of the house. There.
dent cry. This is, indeed, a sad
homecoming for you. Go upstairs
with Doris, like a dear, and make
ready for lunch"
Jacqueline obeyed. She felt that
she had no time for grief-stern
work lay before her. She assembled
to the chamber which had been pre-
pared for her. and while Doris fitted
about, helping her with her belong
ings, she said:
Tell me about that impossible
youth, Mr.. Craven-your admirer, is
he not?"
No, indeed" answered Doris.
"He is MI. Wingate's clerk, as
wrote you"
Yes; but what more? In your
letter you also said he was not such
a simpleton as he looked"
Doris colored family.
Did I? That was not kind. for
Teddy Craven is a very good sort.
He was educated abroad-at Bonn. ]
believe. The Wingates esteem him
highly. He comes here a great deal
runs on all my errands-acts as my
escort, when Mr.. Wingate is busy
brings me flowers and new books
"A lawyers clerk! What extrava-
gance!"
Miss Wingate regards him with
great favor-so does Trojan. Only
yesterday he saved the dogs life.
The poor beast had a fit, Or some.
thing. Mr.. Craven knew of a rene
dy which set him on his crooked legs