Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-07-27

looked fxedly into her face. " You
puzzle me" he said, under his breath.
I believe you hate that man"
She laughed.
"Mr. Castlemaine ?" in guarded
whisper, 40. ;no-why should II
He is a stranger to me.
Van Loon shrugged his shoulders.
II don't know, he answered, and
walked away. . -.
Castlemaine took advantage of the
opportunity. A moment later he
was again leaning over her chair.
MADAM is unlucky, for a person
Of her experience, he said. per
haps she has got out of practice in
sixteen years. No wonder"
She trembled.
1.-The hand which fired that
trcacherous shot in the Bois de Bou-
Iogne should have been surer. Mad
am evidently believes in the saying
that dead men tell no tales. ~
She sraspsd his arm. A puzzled ex-
preston showed itself through the
frightened pallor of her face.
Who are you?" she gasped. for
the second time since they first met.
II have told you already. Ran
dolph Castlemaine, at your service. +"
And he crossed over to join his niece.
Mrs. Versly sat with knitted brow.
She caught Vendale's eye, presently.
Uncle and niece ware exchanging a
few words. so she signed for him ito
approach.
"You. are very PALE" he said,
pausing beside her. care you i'll ?"
Yes" she answered, :, shortly.
Take me back to the hotel"
He offered lis arm and they walked
tswav together. The shrubbery hid
.lleN from sight OF those within the
aybor before they had gone half-a-
,lozon yards.
= lho Castlamaincs are friends OF
yours ." the beautiful Circe said,
,ellv.
.5 % lis arm II. pretty
aio interested ii
, enGsto Frey toll HE
all yoll may know OF ihem.
THAT is: very little. Six months
since they were utter Strangers. Mr..
Castlcmaine is not communicative. l
know nothing Of their past history
save the fact they havo resided in
France. for the most part, and that
Miss Castlemaine was educated in
that country.
Mrs. versly gave sudden start.
"And this is all You. can tell me ?"
she said, in a disappointed tone.
":All."
They walked on. She was con-
tent to drop the CastieGaines out Of
her conversation now. .Eor spirits
rose. She dazzled Vendale with her
wondrous beauty, she held his senses
in thrall with her smile and seduct-
i've arts. They sat down in cool
recess of the parlor, and the mo-
ments fled unnoted.
You have charmed away my i'm
disposition, she confessed, at last, in
fute-like accents.
Mr.. Castlemaine, coming back to
the hotel an hour later, found them
still lingering in the cool recess. The
widow shot him a swift glance OF
triumph, which said palmer than
words could have done:
You see l have not wholly lost
my power over this man. I don't IN
tend to loseit.
Miss Castlemaine entered, present
ly. Mrs. Versly had soon decided
on. her role. She clamored for an
introduction, and during the remain
der of the day was SO exceedingly
afable and gracious to the young
beauty that the knowing ones among
the Reef House guests opened wide
their eyes.
Lucretia Borgia and zenobia,
commented a daring blonde. 1.-The
Widow Versly is dangerous. That
affair in the arbor was not so much of
an accident as some people thought.
She hates the Castlemaines. She
will murder one or both of them,
take my word for it. She is equal to
anything of the sort. :"
Of course such traitorous suspi-
cions were only whispered among
the chosen few. Bank stock and
coupon bonds are wonderfully potent
in hushing scandals, of whatever ma
ture.
When Mrs. versly locked her
chamber door for the night she held
q long talk with her French waiting
maid, a woman in whom she had i'm
plicit trust.
Babette," sho said, suddenly,
did YOU ever hear of DR.. Alber-
tino?'
The maid started violently.
DIR. Albertino ?" she repeated.
q Certainly madam, have heard of
h;.a. Hc is the great poisoner.".
Hush Not so loud, Babette.
ir.St not be overheard"
i,rsress and maid looked straight
i other eyes.
Babette?"
~ a., neadam ?"
/ Nothing more was needed. Here
is card with DR.. Albertinos street
and number" said Mrs. Versly,
after a slight pause. 81 am going
to send you to the city, the first thing
tomorrow morning, If anybody