The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-06-15
CHAPTER Ill.
Continued.

AT DUSK l SAID. An, Nancy
I surreptitiously packed a few
things, feeling horribly guilty and as
though I were not playing fair in
the game of matrimony. / should
have preferred my own suitcase, but
it was not to be found, so l appro-
priated Casey's and sat down to watch
the hands of the clock. / wondered
whether Nancy also had packed and
was waiting for dusk; whether, after
all, her heart would not fail her at
the last moment, and whether-well,
I suppose every one who has had the
same experience has watched the
clock and wondered what the book
of life will have in store for him
when he turns the leaf.
After a while Ferguesson came in.
He tried several chairs, and finally
subsidized on my hat.
Look what you're doing" I rem
onstrated, but ne paid no attention.
A red spot burned on either cheek,
which / credited to a round of teas,
+. or rather punch-bowls, but when ne
rose and paced the room I noticed
an air of depressed excitement for
which I was at a loss to account. AT
the window he paused.
"Beastly night. Cold, sleeting,
slippery, and dark as Egypt in an
hour. Beastly night"
I watched my opportunity, and
when Randy in his restless pacing
passed into the next room I seized
my hat, coat and suitcase and fed.
Our rooms were on the fourth floor,
because the rent decreased in pro-
portion to the altitude. At the top
of the third fight I collided with a
stout lady lAboring heavily upwards
and wheeling audibly. I apologized,
and before she could acquire breath
to reply was gone.
It was a beastly night. I shivered
as I pulled my hat over my eyes
and turned up my coat-collar. In
my haste I had forgotten an UNI
fbrella, and the sleet stung unpleas-
antly. I hoped Nancy would have
more foresight and not depend upon
me. She was to meet me around the
corner from Aunt Josephine's, even
as a cab was to meet me around the
corner from our rooms.
The cab lamps were a welcome
sight as rmade the turn. To my ex-
cited imagination, the street was alive
with red eyes that glared in disap-
prevail, of my errand.
mo. 29,1S0?" l inquired, with my
hand on the door.
Z "No, sir; number 26,175."
y But I was inside now and had given
an address.
"Cab No. 26,175," repeated the
,automaton on the box.
Cali right; go on"
+ I was glad I got there first, for I
did not want her to wait for me.
AS I waited, I suddenly realized all I
was asking Of Nancy. I remembered
what she was leaving and what I
could give her in return, and the
thought was overwhelming. Suppose
she should ever regret it? Suppose
and then I saw her coming and
forgot everything else.
. According to agreement, she wore
a long, dark cloak and was closely
yelled, and I opened the cab door and
hurried her inside without giving her
an opportunity to speak.
Now, if Nancy has a fault, 1t is
being too reserved, and therefore
was surprised when she precipitated
herself into my arms as we drove
away and pillowed her head upon
my shoulder.
"Oh, Randolph" she gasped, "I'm
80 frightened"
Randolph! And the voice was not
Nancy's. Moreover, I could see the
back of her head where the veil
parted. Nancy's hair was brown,
with a %distracting little curl at the
nape of her neck, but the thick coil
that shone in the uncertain glimmer
of the cab-lamp had a distinctly rudy
glow, and I gazed at it with fas.
cinated horror. Meanwhile the voice
from my shoulder resumed huskily:
"Oh, dear! I'm so nervous. Why
don't you say something, Randolph?
I do believe I'm going to cry"
This was alarming and indicated g
crisis.
please don't" I implored. "I'n
quite willing to say anything, only
don't do that"
1 felt myself suddenly released anG
heard a stifled scream.
I'm sorry" I found myself apollo
giving abjectly; I'm afraid you were
expecting some n else"
l will not repeat what she said, fol
perhaps she was excited and did moi
mean it, but when I offered to STOP
the cab and let her out she merely
made good her previous threat O.
tears.
Il distrusted you," she sobbed
when you didn't say it I d~istrustec
you"
Say WHAT" 1 spoke absently, fol
I was thinking of Nancy and the
street corner.
"You-you should have said:
Light of my life. are you waiting there.
With the CLINT of the sunset in your hair
And l was g-going to answer.
In sunset or sunrise, on hill, glade. Of
tree,
Sorl of nv scu1 am .~yaitinr FOR thee