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

and his bearing toward her cnlldren
was unconsciously paternal. -.
welcome to my house, Jacque-
iine," he said, "and consider it your
| home-as does your sister, I hope.
You did right to return to US, though
I am sorry-truly sorry, my dear,
that your love for Doris has cost you
a fortune"
Great expectations still remain
to me, Mr.. Wingate," answered JAG
queline, brightly. II will explain by
and BY"
At the table Teddy Craven occu-
pied a seat beside Miss Wingate. He
was a slender, boyish fellow, with an
irregular, unhandsome face, and shy,
reserved manner. During the meal
he alone tried to converse with the
deaf lady, and his little attentions
to her betrayed an admirable
thoughtfulness. MI. Wingate and
the young ladies talked upon general
topics. Not till Craven had departed
did Jacqueline unfold her future
plans to her host. The old lawyer lis
tened in amazement. She vas so
young, so brilliantly beautiful, so ter
ribly in earnest, that he was forced
to regard her with indulgence.
Come, come, my child" he said,
this is a wild idea of yours-you
must not for a moment entertain it
seriously. Philip Trevor win never
surrender his booty to you, or to any
other person. 1 hope Doris is not
your partner in this folly"
"She has promised not to oppose
me-"
Heaven above! You do not even
know where the man is.
II rely upon you, sir, to discover
his hiding place for me-"
Mr.. Wingate mopped his bald head
with his handkerchief.
Really, this is too absurd-a
| girls foolish dream-nothing more!
Trevor fed from the State five years
ago, and l need not say, has never
returned to it. He may be in Eu-
rope, Asia, or Africa now. Take my
advice and let sleeping dogs lie.
Wherever he is, you cannot move
him. True, he robbed and destroyed
your father, but not in a way that
made him amenable to the law. 1t
was a simply a breach of trust. So,
threats will not avail with him, and
Conscience he has none"
Miss Wingate, with her trumpet
to her ear, seemed about to speak,
but was checked by a sign from her
brother. Doris leaned on the old
woman's chair, her eyes fixed on JAG
queline.
Il rely upon you, Mr.. Wingate,"
repeated the girl, resolutely. "Only
find out Trevor's present whereabouts
i ask no further help. Surely,
here in his native city, some one
either old time friend or relative
must still know where to seek the
man"
Wingate shook his head, but the
little gray woman with the ear trum-
pet spoke up:
Il think there is one person in the
city, brother, who might give you in
formation that Jacqueline wants"
Wingate turned sharply on his sis
ter.
It's odd," he said, in a whitening
tone, that deaf people can always
hear the things not intended for their
ears"
But Jacqueline feels called to
make this venture" replied Miss Win
gate, land you certainly do not want
her to go wandering at random over
the country seeking Philip Trevor"
"A plague upon all womankind!"
muttered Wingate. where's my
my hat? Remember, none of you
are to blame me for anything that
may now happen. When do you wish
to start upon your quest. Jacque-
line?"
Immediately"
Mark my words-the finding of
Philip Trevor will bring no good to
John Hatton's daughters"
That, sir, remains to be seen"
Without further words, Mr.. Win
gate left the house. His sister put
down her ear trumpet, and so Sc
! vered communication with her COM
panions. Doris approached Jacque-
line and slipped a ~caressing arm
around her.
II told you I should be as wax in
your hands, Jacky," she sighed, land
so | am. l will not put a straw in
the way of your purpose, dear, and
I feel sure that whatever you at
; tempt to do will be we'll done"
Jacqueline gave the caressing arm
an affectionate squeeze.
Il have money for all my ex-
penses." she said, for Aunt Brad
shaw filled my purse at parting. Just
be patient, Doris, and trust me-"
Il will will" said Doris.
Meanwhile Mr.. Wingate was walk
ing away in the direction of Beacon
Hill. He had no intention of aiding
and abetting ~Jacqueline's folly. She
was a handsome creature, and she
possessed plenty of spirit; but she
had been reading romances and she
fancied herself called to perform he
roic service. In good time her COM
MOI sense would return to her. Me-
chemically the old lawyer set his face
toward the club. In spite of his de-
termination to give no assistance to
his young guest, he felt moved to in
quire if certain absent members OF
the Shawmut had yet returned to the