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

or h~andshakes. At length the crowd
thirned, and then it was that he dis
covered a young girl perhaps eighteen
accompanied by a young woman in the
early thirties. They had the appear
ance of eagerly awaiting some one
Jones stepped forward with a good
deal of. difidence.
"You are waiting for some one?"
EYES," said the elder woman, coldly
"A broken bracelet?"
The distrust on both faces vanished
instantly. The young girls face
frightened, her eyes sparkled with
suppressed excitement.
"You are . my father?"
"No, miss" very gravely. II am the
butler"
LET me see your part Of the brace
let" said the young girls guardian
a teacher who had been assigned to
this delicate task by Miss Farlow, who
could not bring herself to say good-by
to Florence anywhere except at the
school gates.
The halves were produced and ex'
amined.
81 believe we may trust him, Flor
ence."
LET US hurry to the taxicab. We
must not stand here"
"My mother?"
"She is dead. I believe she died
shortly after your birth. / have been
with your father but fourteen years,
I know but little Of his life prior to
that"
"Why did he leave me all these
years without ver coming to see me?
Why?"
1T Is not for me, Miss Florence, to
inquire into your fathers act. But
do know that whatever he did was
meant for the best. Your welfare was
everything to him"
1T Is all very strange" said the
girl, bewilderedly. "Why didn't he
come to meet me instead Of your"
Jones stared at his hands, miser
ably.
"Why?" she demanded. IT have
thought of him, thought of him. He
has hurt me with all this neglect. ]
expected to see him at the station, to
throw my arms around his neck and
. forgive him!" Tears swan in
her eyes as she spoke.
Everything will be explained to
you when we reach the house. But
always remember this, Miss Florence:
You were everything in this wide
world to your father. You will never
know the misery and loneliness he
suffered that you might not have one
hour of unrest. What are your plans?'
he asked abruptly of the teacher from
Miss Farlow's.
THAT depends" she answered, lay
ing her hand protectingly over the
girls.
"You could leave Miss Farlow's on
the moment?"
Eyes"
Then you will stay and be Miss
Florence's companion?"
Gladly"
what is my fathers manner"
"Hargreave, Stanley Hargreave."
The girls eyes widened in terror
Suddenly she burst into a wild frenzy
Of sobbing, her head against the shout
der of her erstwhile teacher.
Jones appeared visibly shocked
what is it," ....
I'VE read the story in the newspa'
per-" said the elder woman, her own
eyes filling with tears. "The poor
child! To have all her castles-in-air
tumble down like this! But what AL
thority have you to engage me?" sen
sibly.
Jones produced a document, duly
signed by Hargreave, and witnessed
and sealed by a notary, in which 1t
was set forth that Henry Jones, but
Ter and valet to Stanley H~argreave,
had full powers of attorney in the
event Of his (Hargreave's) disappear
ance; in the event Of his death, till
Florence became Of legal age.
Said Jones as he put the document
back in his pocket: what Is your
name?"
Susan Wane.""
do you love this child?"
with all my heart, the poor un
happy babel"
Thank you!" 70
Inside the home he conducted them
through the various rooms, at the
same time telling them what had Ia
ken place during the preceding night
"They have not found his body?'
asked Florence. "My poor, poor faith
err"
"No."
"Then he may be alive!"
please God that he may" said the
butler, with genuine piety, for he had
loved the man who had gone forth IN
to the night so bravely and so strange
ly. This is your room. Your father
spent many happy hours here prepar
ing it for YOU"
Tears came into the girls eyes
again, and d~iscreetly Jones left the
two alone.
What shall I do, Susan? Whatever
shall ] do?"
BE brave as you always are. ]
will never leave you till you find your