The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-03-23

Il
ing regularly with her. however. At
the end of this period he came ugaiu,
staying some weeks, aud again leaving
her on the same plea. These comings
and departures were repeated several
times, until Mary and hor parents began
to suspect that Randall, for some reason
was either ashamed or afraid to intro
duce his wife to his own family. Mary
had been shocked to hear the gossip
ing whisper that hoT husband mad anoth.
er wife 10 Virginia, aud she had to ac-
knowledge that his conduct was not
above suspicion, otwithstanding his
plausible assurances. On his last visit
the old farmer iosisted that Randall
should at onco decide either to settle
down there with his wife or to take her
with him. Trritated by the apparent
lack Of confidence in him, he at once
avowed his determination to carry her
to Virginia, and making hurried prepa-
rations for the journey. they soon went
South together. 1t was during the trip
that Mary first found resolution enough
to show her husband letter which she
had received eome months before
from his home in Virginia. 1t ran as
follows:
"MARY : have chanced to see let.
ter addressed to Mr.. John Randall,
Beeville, Virginia, by you, iu which
you claim that gentleman az your hus-
band. AS I am an intimate acquaintance
and near relative of his, AIN surprised
at your pretensions (whcther we'll or
i'll iounded), for he is still considered
single man here, where he was born aud
reared, and passes himself as such. IT
he is married to you or anybody else, l
assure you that he keeps the matter a
secret here, aud am certain that Meth.
er his father or mother knows anything
Of it. Tell me all about it, aud you
will oblige. INDIANA"
"That girl is my evil genius!' ex-
claimed Johu Randall, excitedly, when
he had read the note "Shc is my first
cousin, and has always loved me from
childhood with sort of fierce passion.
When l first saw you, Mary, I was en-
gagged to her, and have never had the
courage to announce our marriage to
her or to my own family. I have weak
ly kept the secret, putting off the evil
day us long as could, or until my cir.
cu,nstances wou d justify me in Drawing
the wrath of my parents aud all concern
ed. But matters have o'me to crisis
A day or two will decide whether We
are to be rcpudiated or kindly wclcom>
ed"
"John," entreated Mary, let us return
to my fathers"
"And thus confirm the gossips in their
ISLANDERS Never The die is cast. In
dianna and her friends will rave; let
them Great God what creature she
must be. Did you answer her letter 2"
II did, giving her, in self defence,
all the information she asked"
"And yet, with her full knowledge
Of my marriage with you, she has con
stantly been eager for me to conSum,
mate my engagement with her, indirect
ly urging it by every means at her COM
mand"
It was Saturday evening when they
arrived at the depot nearest to Beeville
and stopping at the hotel there that
night. next day Randall hired convey
ance driving himseif) and started
homesard with his bride.
Monday he returned the horses and
vehicle.
Tuesday night he escorted young
lady OF Beevile, to party. aud there
bore himself Us gay!y, apparently, as the
Other young men.
His vile had mysteriously disappeared!
The public of Beeville and vicinity
knew not of her coming, aud therefore
| she was not missed.
| Where was she
Ten days after the body of an unknown
woman was found in the woods few
miles from BeeviIe. A pistol ball was
found buried 10 her neck I; on her throat
were the marks Of murdcrous clutch ;
and from head to foot she had been
beaten and bruised in the most cruel
manner. The jury of inquest was not
able to identify her, nor was there
found any likely clue to lead to the
detection Of her murderer. Descrip-
tons of the murdered woman and her
dress were published, and rewards were
offered for the apprehension of her
murderer, but all in vain. The body
was bnried, but within q few weeks the
excitement occasioned by the dreadful
horror had completely subsidized 1t
seemed a hopeless mystery, forever inn
pen etrable.
Meanwhile the Ordolfs heard regular.
ly from Randall His first letter ex.
planned why Mary did not write :"You
will understand why Mary employs me
as her amanu spsis when [ inform you
that she was so unfortunate as to have
her right hand severely bruised by a
slamning car door on our way here.
She can not use it at all at present, bu,
we are in hopes that it will soon be
we'll. With this exception we are en-
joying ourselves here, and have every
prospec: Of doing we'll. Mary is delight.
ed with her reception by my relations and
friends, and desires me to assure you oi
her content"
The next letter from Randall still
harped upon tho injured hand : Mary