Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-06-16
CHAPTER Mi.
After Ten Years.

have. in more or less constant de-
edy to tragedy. Some of these masks
grew dusty between ships, but could
quickly be made presentable. Some
times. when large touring parties
came into port. he confused his masks,
being by habit rather an absent
minded man. But he possessed
great fund of humor, and these masks
gave him laughable recOllectiOns for
days.
He saw before him an exquisite. as
the ancient phrase goes, backed by no
Indifferent breed of manhood. Thus,
he believed that here was a brief re-
spite Gas between acts) in which the
little plastic hypocrisies could be laid
aside The pleasant smile on his
high bred face was all his own.
And what may l do for you. sir?"
He expected to be presented with let
ters of introduction, and to while
away a half-hour in the agreeable
discussion of mutual acquaintance.
Il should like a few minutes private
talk with YOU" began the well-dressed
stranger. May l close the door,
The consul general. with a sense of
disappointment, nodded. The blond
man returned and sat down. Il don't
know how to begin, but l want you to
COPY this cablegram and send it under
your own name. Here it is; read it,
So singular a request filled the con-
Sul-general with aStoniShment. Rather
mechanically he accepted the slip of
paper. adjusted his glasses and read
The Andes Construction Company,
New York: A former employee OF
yours wishes 10 make a restitution OF
eight thousand dollars, with interest
to date. He dares not give his name
to me, but he wishes to learn If this
belated restitution will lift the ban
against his returning to America and
resuming his citizenship. Reply col
lect"
This is an extraordinary request to
make To me, sir"
Il know it.
But why bring it to me-
Gould | possibly offer that to the
cable operator? Without name or ad-
dress? No: l could not do it without
being subjected To n thousand ques-
tiuns. none of which | should care TO
answer So l came To you. Passing
through your hands, no one will ques-
ln this favor for
poor unfortunate devil?'
Oddly enough, the other could not
get away from his original impression.
The clothes, the way the man wore
Of Warrington"
Warrington. The puZzlement van
ished from the older mans face. ana
his eyes became alert, renewing from
another angle their investigation II
the stranger. Warrington. So this
was the man? He could understand
now. Who could blame girl for MAX
ing a mistake when he, seasoned
veteran. had been beguiled by the out
ward appearance Of the man? Nal
low was right. He was handsome
beggar.
81 promise to send this upon one
condition.
81 accept without question" readily.
1T is that YOU must keep away
from Elsa Chetwood, now and here
after. You made her acquaintance
under false pretenses.'
Il deny that. Not under false pre-
lenses" How quickly things went
about. Let me tell you how l met
her."
The ul-general listened; he
listened with wonder and interest, and
more, with conviction that the young
man had been perfectly honest. But
the knowledge only added To his grow
ing alarm. 1t would not be difficult
for such q man to win the regard Of
any young woman.
And you told her what you had
done?"
Yes"
Your first misstep?" touching the
cablegram.
MY first and only misstep. | was
them. the clarity of his eyes, the
abundant health that was expressed
by the tone of the skin. derided such
a possibility as the cablegram made
manifest.
lie forced the smile back to his lips.
Are You sure you are not hoaXinS
me-"
NO. | am victim of the hoax,
cnigmatically. If one may call the
quirks of fate 10y the name of hoax
the stranger added. will YOU send
it?"
The years he had spent in the con-
sular service had never brought be
fore him a situation of this order. lie
did not know exactly what to do. lie
looked out of the window, into the
hotel court. at the sky which presently
would become overcast with the daily
rain clouds. by ana 10y h" rcmcm-
bcred the man waiting patiently ut his
elbow.
What is your real name?
My real name. or the one 10y which
I am known here
Your real one
ia rather not give that until |
hear from New York"
well. that is reasonable.
Il am known ont here 10y the name
u careless. happy -go-caSy young fool
The sky outside also had attraction
for Warrington. \ thousand times