The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-10-20

ie n'A' ui! IGtSStN WllhDUt INcl-
don't. ana on the second. hearing
nothing from Terrence. began TO
doubt Mrs. Bashfnrd's proximity.
On the third still hearing nothing.
hardened to an invitation from friends
ut Now London and drove In the
runabout for dinner. 1t was midnight
when got hack. and when reached
the gates several mon dnShcl out Of
The lodge and halted me.
"Shc's come, sir" announced
Antoine, emerging from Tho darkness.
and speaking under stress Of deep
emotion; madame the widow has
arrived sir"
"Why not Cleopatra or the Queen
Of Shoba?" exclaimed testify TO
cover my annoyance that my aunt had
effected her descent in my absence.
swell, she was expected; the house is
hers; what do you want me to do about
it?" I ended with affected jocuarity.
I'VE received her the best we could !;
but 1t was most unfortunate. your not
being here, sir"
rs that your idea, Antoine, or do
you reflect the ladys sentiments? I'm
properly humiliatcd either way. Tell
me just what she said"
We'll, sir, she just laughed when
took the liberty Of apologizing."
THE snecrng laughter Of outraged
dignity! Go ahead and give me the
rest OF it,"
1T was at ten she came, sir, and the
guard held her up, not recognizing
her, here Mt the gate, and when the
car wouldn't stop the boys chased her
and fired at the tires OF her machine.
1t was very dreadful, sir. And at the
hOuse-at the door, sr-thc guard
was very harsh with her. sir, most
regrcttablc."
you certainly made mess OF 1t"
in--int0 her own house, we must
rcmcmber-you did grant her the
courtesy Of Il lodging for the night?"
inquired ironically.
"She'S retired, sir. There was a .ady
with her; maybe a maid; can't
exactly say; and we did everything,
sir. to make her comfortable. She
was not what you might say fussy,
but quite human-likc. ! hope you'll
pardon us, sir, which was due to not
being warned"
"Oh. It's all right with me. but I'm
the morning she'll probably bounce the
whole lot OF us. An old lady fatigued
from journey cross country and
shot at on her own premises its a
very pretty story"
Antoine was swallowing hard In his
effort to continue the recital.
"YOu say an old lady sir; the mis-
tress is not really what you would
call so old--not exactly, sir"
Really youngish party. should
say" volunteered Graves the gardener.
Just what these veterans would call
old v;Ga matter OF conjecture.
"Young or old, she would hardly
relish her reception. There was
maid. and they came in machlneq
DID you put up the chauffeur or did
you shoot him on the spot?"
1T WAS a hired machine, sir; and
madame sent 1t away. The driver
was good deal upset over the shoot
Ing. One OF the rear tires was quite
blown away"
You're in luck if he doesn't have
yon all arrested Tomorrow" remark-
ed conso'ngly.
Mrs Basliford seemed quite amused
by the occurrence" Antoine continued.
Wonderful America = she kept say
Ing after we'd got her inside. we
gave her tea which was all she asked
for We did our best to make her
comfortable. And there was IA dog,
sir. recall that the master was not
fond of dogs"
Antoine spoke truly; IL there was
anything my uncle Bash hetesteh 1t
was a dog, but I reelected that
world-skipplng widow who could
corraHsO difficult q subject as my
uncle would be quite capable Of inspir-
ing him with delight In the canine
species. My respect fof' the woman's
powers Of persuasion was intensified
by this disclosure.
To make sure nothing was required
Of me until morning. I drove past the
house with the army hanging to the
footbOard, The lower rooms were
dark, but lights twlnkled through the
second-story shutters. My aunt was