The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-01-19


employ the French tongue, and that
very prettily, with fetching little ac-
cent. 81 think you tainted. Then-tut
you know my Danny?"
"Your Danny!" said C'Rourke, his
mood quizzical "None better, me dear.
I've known him since he was so high,
or thereabouts." And he held palm
some six inches or SO above the floor.
"And he-he brought you here?''
Who else? How else would l be
knowing the signal? Ye see, there was
a bit of a shindig down the street and
me in the middle thereof and getting
all the worst of lift ye must know
when along comes Danny and lends
me hand and whips me off here and
says he'll be back in moment. He'll
tell ye the details himself; but r.
he eyed her quizzically-"would now
ask ye to overlook the unceremontoua
manner Of me entrance and a certain
lack OF dignity as to me attire, which
beg ye to believe is not me ordinary
evening dress, and-and faith! me
throat is baked entirely, if me clothes
are not. May I ask for a drink at
mademoiselle's fair hands?"
He was on his feet now and en-
joying the situation hugely. "And 'tis
the Irish eye for beauty Danny has!'
he told himself. 'I commend his taste,
the rogue!"
For the girl was exceedingly fair to
see; slender and straight and girlish
and sweet; a Greek, if he were to
Judge of her features and her dress.
and in that odd light, with perturba'
tion in her pose, a smile half-perplexed
trembling on her lips (because OF
O'Rourke's conceit) and the shadow OF
anxiety clouding her eyes, she made q
charming picture indeed.
She was quick to grant his request
Danny will explain she agreed with
conviction. This way, then, if you
please, monsieur, and"-as they passed
through a low doorway-"if you will
have the patience to wait here, I will
fetch wine"
She smiled enchantingly, dropped
him a bewitching little courtesy with
a Difference evoked, no doubt, by the
mans subtle yet ineradicable air Of
distinction, and left him wholly capt.
waited. "Bless her heart and pretty
facet" he murmured, eyeing her re-
treating figure. "'Tis Danny who's
the lucky dog not that he's
not deserving. ."
He reviewed his refuge summarily
discovering that he stood In one cor
ner Of a small courtyard, the center
Of hollow cube Of masonry; dwell
Ing Of two stories, round whose upper
floor ran an inner gallery to which
steps led up from the court and from
which access was to be had to the ltv
Ing rooms-all dark and silent.
In the center OF the courtyard {
little fountain tinkled, a tiny jet o1
water rising from the central upright
of stone to spray the black, star-smit
ten pool beneath There was a little
plot of grass, likewise, with flowers
generous of their cordial perfume.
The girl came silently out from thu
shadows beneath the gallery, bringing
him a cup and jar Of earthenware
brimming with wine.
He accepted the service with bow
"Madenoiselle is as kind as she i.
beautiful" said he, and with the ap
probation of a connoisseur frs
watched her blush, then drained ths
jug to its last drop and felt the crate
ful fluid grapple with his fatigue, TEN
per it, and send new strength leapi1s
through his veins 'tAnd as good, Tn
sure, as she is kind" he added; ant
"Ah!" he sighed, resuming his seal
but rising again, and quickly, as {
second summons changed upon the
iron door and sent the girl flying tr
wards the rear of the house.
':That Will be Danny now,'
O'Rourke opined as she swept pas
him.
She murmured a response he die
not clearly catch. ''What's that?" hs
called after her.
F'Or, possibly" she repeated, pausins
at the entrance to the rear chamber
lit may be Monsieur the Captaiz
Hole!"
'The divvle!" cried O'Rourke, ant
was on his feet in a twinkling, cast
ing about him for a weapon. "Thal
cant be"
Nothing offered itself suitable eithe,
for cffense or defense, save and excep
the jug he had been drinking from
and the Irishman was weighing this
thoughtfully with a definite intention
of hurting it at Captain Holes head
if indeed he had heard Alright, Whe1
the entrance of quite another person
relieved his mind, however tempo
rarily.
It was Danny, plainly enough; Dan
ny, the same as of old, with his half
sheepish, half-impudent grin and his
shock of liarning hair, his upper liz