The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-06-22

realize what you we're doing when
you brought this man to my house"
l murmured something unintelli-
gible and waited for more.
Us it not sad" remarked Mrs.
Robinson, indicating Casey with an
accusing finger, Ito see one so cal
lous?"
Sad indeed" 1 agreed.
I was beginning to realize that
Casey's name, not mine, had figured
in the papers, when she turned to
the door.
II am informed" she said, that
this misguided young man will be
taken to prison this morning-there
to languish and, I hope, repent. We
will leave him to his reflections, and
I, at least, will pray for him, for at
some time in his career he must have
had q mother"
Casey did not attempt to deny this,
and l said nothing, being occupied
with an idea that had suddenly oc-
Cured to me. 1t was a desperate
chance, but for Nancy's sake I would
risk anything, and the knowledge
that she had not returned to the
house filled me with ~forebodings.
will you allow me to see you to
your carriage?" I airily inquired.
And perhaps I may be of some fur
Their service to you"
Hold on, there!" calculated Casey,
but we both ignored him superbly.
Thank you, Mr.. Leigh; you are
most kind"
She knocked on the door as she
spoke, and it was opened from with
out. I could see that the officer on
duty was not one I had encountered
the night before, and was therefore
enormously relieved. Mrs. Robinson
passed out and I followed, Casey's
overcoat on my arm and his hat in
my hand.
"Good-by, Casey" I said aloud.
Think it over and try to take my
advice about making the best of a
bad matter. Good-by.'
caught a glimpse of Casey stand
ing with his mouth open, but speech
less, then the door swung to and I
was free-free to come and go as I
pleased, for a while at least, and to
do what I could toward unravelling
the snarl that seemed to enmesh US
all; free to look for Nancy, and when
I found her
But Mrs. Robinson was speaking.
GAS soon as I see my niece I am
ready, Mr.. Leigh"
I came back to earth with a dull
thud.
Mrs. Robinson" I began impress
sively, for + did not wish to be con-
fronted by Julia Smith, 81 assure
you that your niece is not here. L
I happened to see the young woman,
and l am quite certain about it. She
has red hair and does not in the least
resemble Miss Welles."
Aunt Josephine wavered.
eff you are quite sure"
II am absolutely certain" I assev-
Grated, edging toward the door, for
the open air looked good to me.
Somehow it was done. Unchal-
lenged, I went from the police sta
ton in the wake of Mrs. Robinson,
passing respectful officers, one of
whom kindly held the door open for
us, and out to the street, where a
carriage waited at the curb. Never
before had c%obblestones and trolley
cars appealed to my sense of the
beautiful, but to-day they seemed the
open sesame to all that made life
worth living.
7 held the carriage door open, i'm
patient to get away from a ~nieghbcr-
hood where danger certainly lurked
for me.
please get in," said Mrs. Rob-
inson. II want to talk to you"
obeyed, wondering what next.
"Mr. Leigh" she began at once,
"I am in great, trouble. My niece
has eloped."
I could think Of no appropriate re-
ply, so l remained silent.
"She went last night, leaving g
note for me. I supposed, of course,
the man was Mr.. Casey. When I read
the papers this morning I was horri"
fed and went at once to get, her.
Now I am more troubled than ever,
for not only am I ignorant of where
she IS, but I do not know with whom
she went"
Neither did I, and I also was very
troubled. 1 hazarded a question.
Did she-Miss Wellesley it was
Casey?"
Mrs. Robinson drew a crumpled bit
of paper from her muff.
To be Continued.
Novels as Serials.