Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-07-10

pervene upon the loss of So near a
relative by such q death, and, save
two persons only, no one in the world
would have dared to hint that I was
guilty
ishment began almost instantly, for
De Chargny and Helena were aware
that L was guilty, and never, from
that moment, allowed me TO escape.
their power. I was soon aware OF
their utter selfshness. Tor their de-
mands-De Chargny's especially.
became so unreasonable that l was at
last goaded into resistance and refu-
! sal. HI left me without a word on
that occasion, but I shudlered at the
malignant glance he darted at me as
he did so, and it was with feeling
of irexpressible relief that I received
message from him soon after, ap-
pointing a final meeting at which nyi oIir
differences might be settled.
The place which he had appointed,
for this1intervie% was tolerably we'll
known to me, being lodging-house
connected with factory formerly
owned by my uncle. The factory it
self had been burnt, and nothing re-
mained save the rear wall, broken
and falling, which stood directly be-
hind the lodging house SINE fifteen
feet distant. The windows of the
house overlooked the wall, and from
the upper story two beams, which
had formerly supported platform
connecting the buildings, extended
to the top Of the highest portion of
the wall still standing I know not
what the platform had been used for,
but it was necessary to mention it, as
its remains play an important part in
the sequel Of. my; story. The lodg-
ing-house itself was a dilapidated old
building fronting on squa6d neigh
borhood, and having but one entrance
and one set of staircases.
In an upper room Of this house, on
wild and stormy evening about three
months after Jason Winners murder,
I met Arthur de Chargny and Helena
! Montford for the last time. I was
much surprised to find her. with him
in this more than doubtful locality,
but being resolved to break with.b both,
was not displeased at her presence.
It was fortunate for me that she did
come.
The business upon which we had
met was soon reached, and my rage
may be imagined when I heard De
Chargny coolly demand that should
pay him sum equal to one-third of
my fortune as the price of his silence
relative to the murder. At first I
peremptorily refused even to listen to
so outrageous claim, but Helena in
terposed, and in few words con-
vinced me that, at Least, I must tenn
porize rather than. irritate him by
downright rejection Taking me aside,
while De Chargny cha6ng at my first
angry words, strode up and down the
room ,,she thus addressed me:
"Yoli must meet him ina different
spirit, Carlisle, for you are more in
his.power than yeu suspect. He has
possession of the weapon with which
you did the deed and knows the per-
son from whom you purchased lit.
The money you took. from the secre-
tary was all. marked, and those to
whom you passed it are known, while
Mr.. Wilmer's late book-keeper-your
own now-was the person who mark
ed the bills and placed them in.the
secretary at his employers. If De
Chargny chooses to denounce you.
therefore. there will be ample cor
roborative testimony forthcoming u
support his own"
Thus adv sed, renewed the CON
versatiou with De Chargny but found
him inhexible, and again | grew an
Cry High words ensue'i, and finally
/ boldly tainted him with his cow
ard selfshn,.ss, asking him why i
should make him rich though had
perilled my soul to secure wealth my
sef. had reused the tiger at last,
and now | found out what viper ]
had been chershing
- vii! tell you why said he in
a tore OF concentrated passion. F." Be-
cause I have been toiling for that
alone ever since / have known you
I have been your slave and sycophant
for ten long years only for that pur
pose, and now that l have you thor
oughIy in my power, do you dream
that l will allow the golden opportu
nifty to slip?"
"Then, by Heaven !" I exclaimed,
furiously, mot penny Of that wealth
shall you ever touch. Do your worst
defy youl'
And l turned to leave the room.
Stay, stay'' cried Helena, seiz-
ing my arm: "y"u know not what
you risk. The officers are below!"
She says truly, said De hargny,
coldiy, as he marked my stare OF as
tonishment. II have calculated even
this chance Of YOUR refusal. Agree
to my terms or you are lost"
The officers in this house," cried
I, at last finding my voice. You
have already denounced me then?"
Not 50, he replied, calmly; l
have only prepared to do so. Con-
sent, and you are as free as ever.
Here is a copy Of the letter which
brought the police to this neighbor
hood. Read it and you will see that
| have the power still either to save
or denounce YOU
l took the paper, which he drew
from his pocket, mechanically, and
read as follows:
"To THE CHIEF OF PoL1CE-The mur-
derer Of Jason Wilmer will he in on, of
the three houses behind the burned fac
tory OH c. street this evening. Let