Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-08-14

marry him, and save your father from
something worse than disgrace"
Not feeling disposed to play the
eaves-dropper, I entered the room.
Mr.. Maryon was standing at the fire
place. Agnes was crouching on the
ground at his feet. I saw at once
that it was no use for me to dissem-
BILE the reason of my visit, and, with
out word of greeting. said
"Miss Maryon, I have come in obe-
dience to your summons. If | can
prevent any misfortune from falling
upon you, I am ready to help you
with my life. You have guessed that
l love you. If my love is returned
I am prepared to dispute NY claim
with any man.
Agnes, with cry of joy, rose from
her knees, and rushed toward me.
Ali how strong I felt as I held her
in my arms
II have my answer" continued:
"Mr. Maryon, I have reason to be-
lieve that your daughter is in fear of
the future you have forecast for her.
I ask you to regard those fears, and
to give her to me, to love and cherish
as my wife"
Mr.. Maryon covered his face with
his hands; and 1 could hear him muir
mur, "Too late-too latel'
mo, not too late" Iechoed. What
is this Bludyer to you, thot you should
sacrifice your daughter to man
whose very look proclaims him a vii
lain? Nothing can compel you to
such a deed--not even a debt of hon
or
What it was impelled me to say
these last words I know not, but they
had an extraordinary effect upon Mr..
Maryon. He started toward me. then
checked himself; his face was livid,
his eyeballs glaring, and he threw up
his arms in the strange manner [ had
already witnessed.
"What is all this?" exclaimed a
harsh voice behind me. "Mr. West
car insulting Miss Maryon and her
father 1t is time for me to inter-
fere." And Col. Blu,Ryer approached
me menacingly. All his jo7ial man
ner and fulsome courtesy were gone,
and in his flushed face and insolent
look the savage rascal was revealed.
"You will interfere at your peril,
I replied. II am younger man
than you are, and my strength has
not been weakened by drink and dis
sipation. Take care"
The villain drew himself up to his
full height, and. though he must have
been at least some sixty years of age,
I felt assured that should meet with
no ordinary adversary if personal
struggle should ensue. Agnes faint
ed, and laid her on sofa.
"Miss Maryon wants air" said the
Colonel, in calmer voice. Excuse
me, Mr.. Maryon, if Iopen window.
He tore open the shutters, and threw
up the sash. "And now, Mr.. West
car, unless you are prepared to be
sensible, and make your exit by the
door, I shall be under the unpleasant
necessity of throwing you out of the
window" /"
The rufian advanced toward me as
he spoke. Suddenly he paused. His
jaw dropped; his hair seemed liter
ally to stand on end; his white lips
quivered; he shook as with an ague
his whole form appeared to shrink.
| stared in amazement at the awful
change. A strange thrill shot through
me as l he :rl a quiet voice say
Richard Bludyer, your grave is
waiting for you. Go"
The figure of a man passed between
me and him. The wretched man
shrank back, and, with wild cry,
leaped from the window he had
opened.
All this time Mr.. Maryon was stand-
ing like a lifeless statue.
In helpless wonder gazed at the
figure before me. l saw clearly the
features in profile, and, swift as light
Ming, my memory Was carried back
to the unforgotten scepe in the church
yard upon the Lake oi Lucerne, and
| recognized the white face of the
young man with whom l had there
spoken.
John Mayon," said the voice,
this is the night upon which, quar-
ter of a century ago, you killed me.
1t is yotr last night upon earth. You
must go through the tragedy again. .
Mr.. Maryon, still statue-lilie, beck
oned to the figure, and opened ahalf-
concealed door which led into his
study. The strange but opportune
visitant seemed to motion to Inc with
IL gesture Of his hand, which l felt l
must obey, and | followed in this
weird procession. From he study
we mounted a private staircase to a
large, well-furnished hed-chamJer
Here we paused Mr.. Maryou look
ed trelnblIngly at the stranger, and
said, in a low, stanlnerlng voice:
This is my room. In this room,
on this night, twenty five years ago,
you told me tha. you were certain
Sir Henry Benets will was in exist
ence, and that you'll had made up your
niud to dispute my possession to this
property. You had discovered let
lers from Sir Henry to your father
which gave you clue to the spot
where that vii might be found. You,
Geollrey Ringwood, of generous and
extravagant nature, offered to find
The will in my presence II WAS late
at night, as now; all the household
slept. | accepted your invitation and
followed you.
Alr. Maryon ceased; he seemed
physically unable To continue The
terrible stranger, in his low, echoing
VOICE, replied:
Go on; confess all.
You and /. Geotfrey, had been
what the world calls friends. We