The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-09-02

wave MS mana, Sa" also the open
wonder on the reporters pleasant
face.
"Who is your friend, Norton?"
Braine asked indifferently, his head
still unturned.
Stanley Hargreave. Met him in
Hongkong when I was sent over to
handle a part Of the revolution. War
correspondence stuff. First time I
ever ran across him on Broadway at
night. We've since had some pow
vows over some rare books. Queer
old cock; brave as a lion, but as quiet
as a mouse"
"Bookish, Ell? My kind. Bring him
over" Underneath the table Braine
Unanswered to touch the foot Of the
princess.
81 don't know" said the reporter
obviously. He might say no, and
that would embarrass the whole lot of
US. He's a bit of a hermit. I'm sur
prised to see him here"
Try" urged the princess. II like
to meet men who are hermits."
II haven't the least doubt about
that" the reporter laughed. "Ill try;
but don't blame me if I'm rebuffed."
He left the table with evident re-
l~uctance and approached Hargreave.
The two shook hands cordially, for the
elder man was rather fond Of this
medley of information known as Jim
Norton.
sit down, boy; sit down. You're
just the kind Of a man I've been want
ing to talk to tonight"
wouldn't you rather talk to a pref
ty woman?"
I'm an old man."
Bah! That's a hypocritical bluff,
and you know it. My friends at the
next table have asked me to bring
you over"
81 do not usually care to meet
strangers"
Make an exception this once" said
the reporter, who had seen Braine's
eyes change and was curious to know
why the appearance of Hargreave in
the mirror had brought about that
metally CLEAN. Here were two
unique men; he desired to see them
face to face.
This once. My fault; I ought not
to be here; l feel out of place. What
a life, though, you reporters lead! To
meet kings and presidents and great
financiers, socialists and anarch-
lists, the whole scale Of life, and to
slap these people on the back as If
they were everyday friends!"
"Now you're making fun Of me. For
one king there are always twenty
thick brogans ready to kick me down
the steps; don't forget that"
Hargreave laughed. Come, then;
let us get it over with"
The introductions were made. Nor
ton felt rather chagriped. So far as
he could see, the two men were total
strangers. Well, it was all in the
game. Nine out Of ten opportunities
for the big story we're fake alarms;
but he was always willing to risk the
labor these nine entailed for the sake
Of the tenth.
At length Braine glanced at his
watch, and the princess nodded
Adieux were said. Inside the taxicao
Braine leaned back with a deep, aud
IDLE sigh.
What it is?" she asked. .
1.-THE luck Of the devils own" he
said. Child of the Steppes, for years
I've flown about seas and continents
through valleys and over mountains
for what? For the sight Of the face
of that man we have just left. AT
first glance l wasn't sure; but the
sound Of his voice was enough. olga,
the next time you see that reporter
throw your arms around his neck and
kiss him. What did tell you? With
out Norton's help I would not have
been sure. I'm going to leave you at
your apartment"
"The man of the Black Hundred?'
she whispered.
"The man who deserted and defied
the Black Hundred, who broke his
VOWS, and never paid a kopeck for
the privilege; the man who had been
appointed for the supreme work and
who ran away. In those days we need
ed men of his stamp, and to accom-
plish this end. . :"
There was a woman" she inter
rupted, with a touch of bitterness.
always the woman. And she was
as clever and handsome as you are"
Thanks. Sometimes
"Ah, yes!" ironically. "Sometimes
you wish you could settle down, marry
and have a family! Your domesticity
would last about a month"
She made no retort because she rec
ognized the truth of this statement.
There's an emerald I know Of" he
said ruminatively. otis quite pos
sible that you may be wearing it with
in a few days."
81 am mad over them. There Is
something in the green stone that fas-
cinates me. I can't resist it."
That's because, somewhere in the
far past, your ancestors were orien-
tails. Here we are. I'll see you to-
morrow. 1 must hurry. Goodnight"
ct. tood an tho ourh for q moment