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

blooded siren |" - ~
He went away with q party Of
hunters, ere the morning was very
, far advanced. Vendale was one OF
thendmber. Mrs. Versly heard the
notes of preparation. and, true to her
odd name, waited until the coast was
clear. Then, seeing Theresa Castle
maine walking alone in the garden,
she ran down to meet her.
The young lady lady remembered
her uncle's caution, and was very shy
and silent at first. But Mrs, VerSly
was 80 sweetly gracious. soeharming,
SO enchanting and full Of pretty
prattle, that the icy reserve OF her
! manner soon thawed, anil the beauti-
! ful temptress had everything her own
way. She led Theresa, wholly unsus-
pecting, down to the beach, where a
snow white wherry swungIat anchor.
Babette had followed the two at a
little distance. Mrs. Versly paused
on the sand, beckoning her to come
nearer
Babette," she whispered, did
anybody see us come this way p
"No, Madam" o
And nobody knows that ! went
into the garden to join Miss Castle
maine ?"
Nobody knows it, madam"
GOOD. Go back to the hotel, and
be sure nobody suspects aught'amiss. y
Babette departed. Theresa sat I'M
the bow of the boat, idly rocking.
She was tired, and had only meant
to rest a moment while Mrs. VerslYl
was talking with her maid. The.
latter recognized a possible opportu
nifty. She Jumped suddenly into the
wherry, dragging in the anchor,
hand over hand.
"What are you about to do2" and
Miss Castlemaine looked up in vague.
alarm.
"Give you row on the bay,
laughed the willy woman. Wont
it be marching?"
She picked the oars, pushing clear
of the ahore before Theresa could re-
monstrate. We will rot go far, my
dear. Don't be afraid. I'm q CAPT
tai hand at rowing and there is no
danger.
They foated gently out on the
bay. The sunny morning tipped the
waves with sultry gltams of light.
The shore receded until the amber
sand of the beach seemed like long
line of garish yellow.
There were crimsonIstaine on Mrs
Versly's cheeks now. The full lips
trrmbled nervously. She made no
further pretence Of talk. Her gilt
lering eyes swept the bay in long.
intent look. Then sle threw dowr
the oars, and leaned over Theresa
Castlcmaine.
The girl caught the baleful glance
bent upon her. She piled, suddenly,
and sshrank away. :.
am. IL ;;.ssSshe sai.da@S;n q fright.
Cd voice. Take melhdme.
Mrs. Versly rose up Ike beauti-
iul fend. Girl, she hi ssed, with
horrible laugh, clntching wildly at
Theresa throat, girl YOU e in my
way You have won ths heart of a
man 1 love, with your hbyi<h face;
hate you -witha bitter. hatred. 'Ahr
shrink and cover, but YOU shall nos.
escape me. IMve .lurel you to your
doom. Seaweed shall tingle in thar
pnrplish hair! Fishes ,hal feed OF.
those scarlet lips that v Vendales have
pressed! 'Sdeath, how / hate you
Bride of Ventlale's you shall never
Le-but the bride OF Death i
Her fair hands closed on the girls
throat in deadly giip, a long,
strangled cry rent The air. That
demon woman seemed possessed OIL
the strength of dozeH. The strug-
gle was feartully blef. A. body
splashed suddenly into the water, the
body of Theresa Castle maine
Mrs. We sly picked up the oars.
her victims shrek still ringing in
her ears, and made for the shore.
Her only thought, nov, was to escape
detection: Castlemaine was sure to
suspect her when he fund out that
his niece was missing. She must
contrive to mislead him.
She reached Reef house, and gained
her chamber unobserIed. She rang
the bell sharply. for Babette, and
then threw herself on the bed.
"I have lain here since breakfast.
with a racking pain il my head" she
said, when Babette made her appear
ance. "N i'll you say as much to
Miss Castlemaine, and ask her to come
and sit with me ?"
She shivered, involuntarily, while
pronouncing her victims name. Ba-
bette started.
"Mademoiselle Castlemaine was
with madam on the bay Has mad
anne forgolten?"
Mrs. Versly gnaahed her teeth
angrily.
SFool," she shrieked, don't you
comprehend {? Take my message. And
remember, will you, that l have not
left my room for the last two hours.
Say you can take Bible oath to this
fact, if necessary"
Babette nodded. I" Yes, madam.
1 was dull, stupid, at first, and de-
served to be called names. 1 am
stupid no longer. IEwill DO what |
can to serve madam"
A, significant lookIpassed between
the two, and then Ba6ette went away.
Mistress and maid understood each
other perfectly.
OF course Miss Castlemaine was
not to be found. But there was
plenty to take cognisancs of the fact
that Mrs. Versly lay i'll in bed, and
had expressed a wis b to see the young
lady.
The lady seemed interminable.
Lying in her darke1ed chamber, Mrs.