The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-11-12
From the ". Y. Mercury.
THE TERRIBLE SACRIFICE.
By LIEUT.. LITTLE.

In neat, tasteful dwelling, on the banks
OF the Hudson, lived the Widow Gray, will
her only daughter-a young lady of seven
teen-and her son, a small boy six years o.
age.
In the year 1880, about five years prio,
to the date at which our story opens, the
dead body of Mrs. Gray's husband had been
found lying short distance from the house
with marks of violence upon it. The mur.
der of Mr.. Gray, who was a well known
merchant of the city, produced great deal
OF excitement, and several persons in the
nelghborhood were arrested upon suspicion
OF having committed the dead. They were
however, soon after discharged when an old
gipsey woman, living in that vicinity appear
cd and made the following statement, to this
effect
That while sitting under the shade of an
old tree, on the night of the murder. she
observed man leave the house of DR.. B.
whom she recognized as the deceased. After
leaving the house, she observed him lei
surely approach the spot where she sat. On
casting her eyes towards the house Mt the
same moment, she saw another figure stealth
lily leave the premises, and swiftly and quiet
ly follow in the footsteps Of Mr.. Gray; and,
when within few yards of him, crouch
down behind some bushes skirting the patti,
All at once she heard the loud report of a
pistol, and saw Mr.. Gray fall to the ground,
with deep groan; and, the next moment, a
man rushed by her with pistol in lis hand
that man she could take her oath was DIR.
This was the gipsey woman's statement;
and it appeared the more plausible, as DIR.
B had disappeared f. fom The premises
IN mysterious manner, and had not rs vet
been heard of. The servants were question
cd, but they could give no account of their
masters Whereabouts. A vigorous search
was made by the authorities, which low
ever, proved fruitIcss-no trace of the muir
derer could be found.
DR.. B, at the time of lis disappear.
ance, was young man of twenty five, and
single. Lie had already obtained consider
able celebrity in his profession, and was
known to he remarkably skillful in the cure
OF all fcvcrs. 1t was known that he led a
very extravagant life, and had borrowed
large sums OF money fom Mr.. Gray, which
| the latter, few weeks before bis decease, had
often called upon him to pay. 1t was, there
fore, generally conjcctured that the young
physician had murdered him, in order to get
rid of Il troublesome creditor.
The death of her husband had been a
severe blow to Mrs. Gray, and it was thought
at that time, that she would become insane:
but she finally recovered from the dreadful
delirium which had at first threatened her
life. Her whole affections were then CEN
tired in the offspring Of the unfortunate man;
and, ashc had left her comparatively wealthy,
she spared no means in the bringing up of
her two children.
AS previously remarked, Ellen was now
seventeen; and little Willie, her brother, six
years Of age. Ellen was kind and affection
ate in manners, and as beautiful as she was
good. 1t is to not be supposed that SO fair
flower could long escape the prying eyes Of
those brainess fops who 60 about in search
Of treasures Of this description. But Ellen
looked upon all these miserable specimens
of men with the utmost contempt, and had
attained the age ofsixteen without experien-
cling, in the slightest degree, tho heavenly
inspiration of love.
This state Of things, however, was destin-
cd not to last much longer. There at length
came one whom Ellen loved with all the
affection Of her young and trustful heart.
This individual was young physician
named Charles Reynolds, WHO was rapidly
attaining celebrity in his profession. In per-
sonal appearance, he was very prepossessing
at least to Ellen. Not above the medium
height, his figure was graceful and firm; his
limbs well rounding, and his frame compact;
his forehead was broad and high, and his
laage gray eyes continually cleaning with
the restless fire Of powerful intellect. To
Ellen, le confided all the aspirations and
hopes Of the honorable ambition which fired
his soul and she listened 10 him with plea
sure and interest. One day, as they were
both slowly walking towards the house, they
encountered tall dark looking stranger,
who, as they passed him, looked keenly at
Ellen.
"Did you ever see that gentleman before!"
inquired Reynolds, after they had passed
him.
"No, don't recollect that ever did"
answered Ellen. "There is something evil
looking in his eye"