Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-08-03
CHAPTER III.
PUNISHED.

PUNlSdED.
Night fell moonless and starlesss,
for scurlying clouds shut in the earth
and out the sky. They had risen,
oellying black, when the sun went
down. The night wind swept over
the darkenipg surface of the sea with
u sobbing sound.
In the deepening twilight Ran
lolph Castlemaine was pacing back
wards and forwards along narrow
strip of beech .atSthe foot of the Reef
House garden. He walked with knit
led brow andfoided arms, just as he
rad walked for! the last hour or more.
Shadows settled, deeper and dark
ar. He paused, final y with his
ace to the sea, as if trying to pene-
rate the gloom of early night. e" That
woman, he muttered, giving word
his thoughts. She is desperate.
.angerous. This farce must be soon
nd, or she will do something reck-
.ss. Thank God, my revenge Is
early consumnated. She shall know.
re long, who ann, and why / have
,,lIoWed. .kerl here =
These words had hardly escaped
is lips when slrill report broke
4,pon the evening air. A pistnl-ball
ut the air hissingly close to bis ear
Y sudden thought flashed swiftly
trough his brain. He fell forward
II his face in the sand. and lay per
..ctly quiet.
All, sIadam Vcr*ly, l have you
. thank for that, he mutteret.
This is the second time you have
tempted my liie. l shall not for
get.
He listened intentlv. Taere was a
light rustling III the slrubberv that
ringed wall not many yard away.
A cautious step advanced u little Way
.mong the shingles, and then retreat
ID. Whoever the wonld-pe murder
II was, prudence had evidently got
the better of curiosity.
Custlemaine raised his head, peer
ing into the darkness. He uld
limly discern figure that seemed to
be !; womans hurrying away in the
direction of tire Reef House. He
picked himself up, laughing softly
IN the horrible way which had be-
come habitual to him.
Long after the lamps were lighted
that night, the Widow Versly stole
softly up the back stairs and sought
her chamber. She was deathly pale.
A black lace shawl dragged uuheeded
from her shoulders. Her dress was
bedraggled with dew.
Some wine, Babette," she cried,
dropping weakly into the nearest
chair.
Babette brought some Of that
sparkling Moselle which had so near
iy proven Theresa Castlemaine S death.
Mrs. versly shuddered as she took
the glass, but drained it to the drsgs.
1t put some color into her pallid face.
"Onc gone, she thought, triumph
antly. MAY all my foes perish
thus. Maledictions on their heads
one and all. breathe more freely.
That doll-faced Theresa shall not
long stand in my way, now that he is
not here to help her. !"
She laughed low. She shook her
head in proud defiance. Her dark
eyes sparkled venomodsly as the mo-
ments rolled on.
Aheayy step sounded along the bal
cony, presently. Mrs. Versly caught
her breath sharply. She laid one
hand oyer her heart.
Look out Babette," (" she said, in a
faint voice, land tell me who comes
this way"
The maid pulled aside the d mask
curtains.
Madam, 1t Is Monsieur Castle
maine.
Mrs. Versly started to her feet,
You lie" she shrieked, hearsely.
1T is not Randolph Castlemaine
Madame can see for herself" re-
piled the imperturbable maid.
She looked from the window-one
terrified glance. That well-known,
mocking figure stood leaning against
the balcony-rail at no great distance,
distinctly outlined in the lamplight
from some eighboring window. She
threw up her arms with q wild shrek,
and fell prone upon the floor. Mrs
Versly had tainted.
She was pa!er than usual the next
morning that was the only change ip
her d meanor. Going down to break
last very late, she met Mr.. Castle
maine at the dining-room door, COM
ing out. She bowed haughtily; that
was the only notice she took of him.
He looked after her with a scow.
"such abrazen impudence passes
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