The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-07-27

| looking around: I'm still here. I
haven't even moved"
Randy" 1 said, what under the
sum
If had ever doubted Ferguesson's
affection for me. all doubts would
have vanished then and there. His
face lit up surprisingly, and ne
gripped my hand until the bones fair
~ cracked.
Billy" he exclaimed, you are a
good old sort after ALL
oh, yes, very likely" I returned.
But what do you mean by all this?
And how are you going to explain
things to Miss Julie Schuyler? She
waiting at the Fremont House this
minute, and
Randy looked hurriedly over his
shoulder.
Here" he said, "just hold on to
this blasted box n minute, will
you? I've got something to show
you"
Very foolishly l complied. Having
known Randy long and intimately,
should have known better than to
agree to anything he suggested. New
ertheless I took the boX-in fact, ne
fairly forced it into my hands n
| stepped back hastily. 1t was then,
and then only, that I realized we
stood beside the elevator. / had a
GLIMPSE of Ferguesson next the wire
grating as it went down, and he
seemed to be shouting something to
me and pointing toward the staircase.
I thought he meant me to join him
below and started in that direction,
when I felt my shoulder gripped from
the rear, and saw the fingers of a
white kid glove against the black Of
my coat.
No. you don't" said a woman's
voice, metallic and convincing. Try
ing to run away from me again, were
you? Oh, yes, you WERE, don't deny
it-don't dare to deny it."
/ did not deny anything. In fact,
I did not speak at all, for it seemed
to me I was up against it again, and
that this was the last straw. I set
the box upon the ground, with a feel
ing that without it I could be more
manly and assertive.
Instantly there was a sharp excla'
nation.
Pick it up" she commanded.
Haven't 1 told you never to drop it
for a minute? Don't argue with me,
Cant l have you arrested? Didn't
you abduct me-an unprotected fe.
male in a cab alone and at night?
Didn't"
She collapsed into the nearest seat.
! speechless with mingled surprise and
Indignation. / saw g. stout woman,
past middle age, with an astonishing.
ly youthful bonnet (now rakishly
over one eye) and a velvet cloak
badly in need of brushing. She was
slowly turning purple in the face,
and 1 believed was getting ready to
scream, which was alarming indeed.
l did not wish the attention of the
police again drawn toward me, so I
sat down beside her with my best
and most persuasive manner.
Believe me, madam" l said, cit
is all right. Mr.. F~erguesson will
soon return, and in the meantime he
has entrusted you to my care"
"Entrusted!" she calculated. En-
trusted"
1 set the bandbox on the seat be-
side me and was about to speak when
she broke in eXcitedly:
Don't let it touch the floor. Hold
it on your lap. On your lap, l tell
you!'
1 began to understand why Randy
wore such a worried expression, as
l obediently lifted the box and put in
on my knees. 1t was surprisingly
heavy, and I thought l felt something
move.
Would you mind" 1 ventured,
telling me where you and Mr.. Fer
guesson were going? Since 1 repre-
sent him, perhaps I can be of use to
you. MY Ldllc 10 hCl6h-t uSo
son and l live together in New York"
Birds Of a feather" murmured
she of the velvet cloak, and the infer
ence was not complimentary.
Il should be glad to be of use," I
continued. I'VE always feel perfect
ly free to ask each other to do little
things. So when he found he had to
leave suddenly he asked me-"
l paused uncomfortably, for she
was looking at me with distinct un-
belief in her eyes.
"Tarred with the same STICK" she
remarked.
Then she rose and shook out her
skirts.
Come" she remarked, 1.-The gates
are o open yet, but We might as
we'll be in time"
krose also, bandbox in hand.
To be Continued.