Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1920-06-12

ftfnS over his correspondence,
Dave, with his ear cooked for The cry
Of the latest extra, spent the evening
hours in valiant effort nj concentra-
ton.
There came timid knock ut the door.
Come ill.," he called.
No one entered, but presently he
heard the knock again. He rose and
walked to the door. Outside stood a
young woman.
IF you please she said, excuse
me, but-y0u are Mr.. Eden, aren't
you?"
Yes. Can help you in any way?"
The woman Uttered a moment. hut
resumed Soberly: You will wonder
ut me coming to you, but I'm from the
country. Did you think that?"
II suspected it," said Dave with a
smile. You knocked" He paused.
"YeS?"
Like country girl" he said, boldly.
She Uttered again. "Weti, I'm lost"
she confessed. Il got off the train
short time ago. Ny aunt was to meet
me-, but there are such crowds in the
street, | must have missed her. And
SAW your name on the window and
had heard of you. SO | just thought
HAT I'd ask-if you wouldn't mind
showing ne to this address"
She fumhled in her pocket, and Dave
invited her into the office There she
produced n torn piece of paper with
an address.
why, that's just few blocks
said Dave. I'm walk around with
YOU" He turned for his hat. but Mt
that moment there was another timid
knock on the door. He opened 1t. A
boy of eight or ten years stood outside.
What is it, SOM"
The lad looked shyly about the of
flee. II was evident he was impressed
with its magnificence. Are you Mr..
Eden that sells lots?'
YES. Were you thinking of buying
a few lots?"
Did you sell lots to my father?"
well, if knew your fathers name
perhaps l could tell you. Who is your
fatherT
He's Mr.. Merton. I'm his son. And
he said TO me, before he got so bad. he
said, There's just one honest man in
this city. and that's Mr.. Eden Is
that you, Mr.. Elden|'
well. hope it is, but l won't claim
such Il distinction. | remember your
father very well. Did he send you to
me?"
NO, sir. He's too sick. He don't |
know anybody now. He didn't know
me tonight" The boys voice went |
thick and ne stopped and swaTI0wed. I
"And then remembered what he said |
about you, and just came"
Have You help - a doctor -
nurseY
mo, sir. We haven't any money.
Ny father spent it all for the lots that
he bought from you"
Dave WINGED. Then, turning to the
young woman: I'm afraid this is
more urgent case than yours. I'll call
taxi to take you to your address"
To his surprise. his visitor broke out
in ribald laugh. She had seated her
self on a desk and was swinging one
foot jauntily.
It's all Off" she said. Say, Dave,
you couldn't lose me in this burg.
You don't remember me, do you? Well,
all the better. I'm rather glad / broke
down on this job. | used TO be some
thing of an actress, and I'd have put
it over if it hadn't been for the kid.
The fact is, Dave" she continued, 81
was sent up here 10 decoy you. 1t
wasn't fair fighting, and | didn't like
it, but money has been mighty slow
of late. | wonder-hOw much you'd
give to know who sent me?"
Dave pulled some bills. from his
pocket and held them before her. She
took them from his hand.
Coward" she said.
Dawes blood went to his head. 1.-The
scoundrel!" he cried. The low-dOwn
dog! There's more in this than ap-
pears on the surface"
''Sure there is" she said. There's
another woman. There always is"
Eden walked to his desk. From a
drawer he took n revolver, tOyed with
ii u moment in his hands, broke ii
open, crushed it full of cartridges, and
thrust it in his pocket.
The girl watched with friendly in
terest. Believe me, Dave" she said,
"lf Coward turns up missing / won't
know a thing-not Il D. thing"
For a moment he stood irresolute.
He could only guess what Conward's
plan had been but that it had been
diabolical and c0wardly, and that it
concerned Irene. he had no doubt. His
impulse was TO Immediately confront
Coward, force a confession. and deal
with him as the occasion might seem
to require. But his eye fell on the boy,
with his shock of brown hair and visit
full, half-frightened face.
I'm go with you first" he said, with
quick decision, Then 10 the girl, "Sor-
ry must turn you out, but this case is
urgent"
That's all right" she said. I'm
used TO being turned out" And before
he knew it she was in the street.
'All right, son." said Dave, taking
up the matter now in hand. whats
your name-your first name?"
Charlie"
"And your address?"
The boy mentioned a distant sub