Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-08-03
The Beautiful Widow,
THE MYSTERY SOLVED.
CONCLUDED.

CONCLUDED. -.
A sound came from without th,
window Just then, for all the worle
like suppressed laugh. The dam la
ask curtain swayed noticeably. Mrs
versly sprang forward, crying o. ont
and dragging it aside with trembling
fingers. The window was wide open
A balcony ran along the whole from
| Of the house. She saw, or though
she saw, a dark figure outlined to-
one moment against the sky, ere i
disappeared in some unsuspected niche
or open door or window. And ye
she could not be sure whether sh'
had looked ON anything more than /
shadow conjured up by her imaglna
tion, or not.
She turned facing Babette, ghastly
pale.
I'm afraid we have been over
heard. But will not be- baked
You are to go on your errand all tht
same. I will DEFY the whole world
If it comes to that.
She went down to breakfast tht
next morning, serene and smiling
You would not have suspected any
storm of passion had ever rufied hel
placid bosom. She even had afrlend
ly word for Mr.. CastIemainc, although
she both hated and feared him. Thu
man puzzled her. She could MOI
conceive how he had~gained so init
.uate knowledge OF her prlvat'
iistcry. Had he come to Rect Hous'
n purpose to seek her, or had TIL
..eetiug been purely accidental? Sh'
vas III his power. How did he Ill
md to make use of the advantag
possessed?
<. such questions puzzled the charm
.ag widow. Her mind was pre-.
. nalneiess forebodings. But mott
came to1he.snlfaee. III
..ulle with which she honored Nj
Jastlemaine was quite AS bewitchln.
stlose bestowed on her admirers.
He flashed upon her sharp, sus
icious- gran e.
"Frown upon me, madam, H.
sid, ,exaxpera(lngly, but don d, tswce'
N me With your smiles. They max
NY blood run cold. iaugh The.
ave churclIyard odor J.
She could have struck the sneerln;
tillain. But she had marked out e.
lew role tor herself, and so did noti'
ng OF the sort.
20, you migrate, she SAID, sweet
". Another woman would resell
such expressions. But | am mor'
or5iving.
bah |"
He turned on his heel. He ate hi.
breakfast in silence, tavoring Mrs
Versly with an askant look only now
and then.
The widow laid her plans just as ;
spider weaves its web-secretly anc
silently. She dawdled away The
morning in Miss Castemaines sooie
| ty. In the early afternoon she pro
posed a drive, inviting her youthiu
rival TO keep her company. Sh'
seemed to have taken a sudden liking
to the young lady.
Mrs. versly kept her carriage,
four-wheeled pony-chaise OF basket
work, drawn by two sleek little ponies
the handsomest turnout of whlcl
Reef House could boast So she anf
Miss Castlemaine bowled along th'
hard beach roads for hours, becoming
fast friends. to all appearances, du
ring the long dliye.
1t was late when they came back
Babette had returned from her mis-
sion to the city, and mistress an,
mald exchanged a few whispered
words in the passage. Mrs Versl,
then hurried upstairs. Miss Cas-
tlemaine fingered below few mo
ments to speak with a.. friend, am
then she, too, sought her apartment
Mrs. Versly called to her, as sh'
paused On the upper landing.
"Come in, my dear. You lool
tired after SO much exercise. Babett'
has just poured Inc some wine. vii
you drink with me ?"
Miss Castlemaine hesitated. Fc.
he first time, she shrank from some
/ strange CLEAN that appeared IN Mrs
Versly's face.
I AZ never drink wine," she fa1tered
bah 1t will bring the colo
into your cheeks again. just Thu
once, my love. Such old, old wine
brought it from France, years ane
years ago.
Tie beautiful siren held out COB
let in which rich Moselle shimmerec
and sparkled. A persuasive smile
wreathed her false red lips.
From France repeated Mis-
Castlemaine, eagerly. I" La Belle
Francs I will drinkit now. Moth
ing bad could come from France"
She took the glass and raised it tx
her lips. The door opening upor
the passage stood ajar. Mrs. 'Versly'
back was towards it. She did no
see a dark, alert face that suddenly
came into sight. But Miss Castle
maine did, and stood trans6xed Ii
wondering surprise. The next In
slant the glass was dashed 1rom hel
hand before she had quafed a drop.
Mrs. Versly turned, with fright,
ened shrek. She saw Randolph Cas-
tlemaines s mockiug face.close beside
her; she felt his keen eyes glowerine
upon her,
Z :" am just in time, madam" be
lnn;d h1o,,dlv