The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-09-01

| ouG ulusC IeGulA uoW. ~ lllcuelS " III
be anxious"
"Why can't you remain here, and send
! note to them ?" suggested Mrs. Ames.
| There really was no reason why tho
young man should not adopt this course,
arate him from Bertha could be regarded
as one.
cit may be best not to see her again."
he thought. GLOW can my foolish fancy
avail me when such wide gulf separates
us?'
Yet he was not content to abide by this
reasoning His whole heart yearned
toward the fair rcreature who had so suddenly
become n part of his life.
"No, think I will return to my friends"
| he replied. "They have been very kind to
me, and fear they will be offended if
remain away now. You shall hear from
me in the morning, however"
After reaching the door Mrs. Ames called
| him back.
"But this-this man in the passage"
she said, hesitatingly. "Won't he die there
alone?"
"rhe world would not suffer much from
the loss if he did," said Roland, bitterly.
"I will look after him if you desire, how
ever"
"rhat will be best" rejoined the house.
keeper, mentally wishing that her brutal
husband had already recovered and de-
parted.
"You can come with me to hedoor if you
like" said Roland, "but leave the lamp in
the hall. will open the door softly and
creep down in the dark to see if he is still
there"
He soon reached the spot where Ames
had fallen and was gralified to find that he
had taken himself off.
The housekeeper's 3 face frightened when
informed of this.
So this is the entrance to the passage"
she said, viewing the panelel wall Of the
room. "Mr. Wallingford never believed in
its existence, and think my husband was
the only one who knew about it until Your
poor mother came here. 1t is strange how
she learned the secret"
"Your husband showedhcr one day while
good naturcd from wine she hal given
him. explained Roland.
"He would never give me clue to it,"
said the housekccrcr, but used it himself
in entering the house to eXtort money from
me. You have no objections to my f,tstcn-
ing the door from this side for Il few days,
MIR. Wallingfordi"
"On the contrary" replied the young
man. ri ain anxious that it should Dc
closed forever. There is no knowing how
many of his reckless associates nlLy have
been informed OF the existence OF the pas
sage. hope | shall ncvcr use it again,
for it makes Inc shuddrr 10 think OF the
dismal place. As it is late enough now to
admit Of my departure by the main hlll,'
slid Roland, glanciny mt his watch, 81 will
assist you i'll fastening tho door"
This was task very easily performed,
and Roland WAS soon ready to depart.
"Jon't forget what told you about re-
tanning possession If the keys he said, as
he stood in the lower hall. Every thing
may depend upon that one point"
81 will not forget" replied the house.
keeper. And, whatever happens, L will
remain always your fricnd.'
Rolnd WAS highly grltitiel ut the result
Of hls visit. His way seemed clear how
the immense property almost within his
grasp. Still his mind WAS by no means ut
rest s he walked along. AS before, Ber-
tht filled his thoughts, and all the bright
pictures Of future happiness he tried to
draw seemed to want one sweet face to
true that he knew not how his suit would
he received, but hc hal an idea that Bertha
was not entirely indifferent to him. Il
would rel'nquish every cl;llm t. this prop
erly,' he murnlulcl. II could feel ;ssllr-
ell of her love, for 1t cIIinot bring Inc
happiness il it shuts me away from her
heart
The young man was indeed in n singular
l.. Al-.
would regari him as il very hlsty fortune
hunter # lie declared hi> passion ut once,
h. also feared that If he waited until the
whole truth was known, she would turn
from lin with horr, us the cause IF her
br9tl ers ruin. He still believed that Eu-
gene WAS equally guilty with the attorney
in the attempt upon his life, and did not
t.oubt that. wh,'n the whole matter came
out, 10th would Lc dragged to prison to-
gethcr.
lie tried to think # a way by which Eu-
gene mi ,ht be saved from trial on the
charge OF attempted murder but could find
none without making up his mind 10 leave
the whole story "t the assault entirely out
of the case. Eugene had left the attorneys
room OIL that night JUS us Rol md had en-
tered it, and the young in,ln regarded the
fact rs very significant, and rs strong evil
dcnce against linn.
Wnrn he reached his friends house he
was still undecided. Resolving to leave
the matt, to be controlled entirely by fu-
ture vents, he mulc his presence 1T the
door known by lo% kao K, AMI was ut
once admitted y Grover, WHO looked fur
ried und excited
..You will lind ~ light burning in your
rooln," he whispered. "Go up Stairs as
qui lily as you can, for Eugene and Mr..
Gray nle il the bittinS-room. You will
find III, doctor up Stairs If you should need
any h,lp."
Sa in this Grover returned to the sit
hu,-r,,.lu anil Roland FASTENED up stairs.
"rc l., turn t. what ! WIS saying" said
Gray, ~ Grover rc t., r..d the room, ''this
young Inln ;L,lvun, cd Almost singular claim
t, the property, AMI left my room in q
great rage. 1t is my opinion that the fall
which resulted in ms death VAS caused not
by Il hi. step, but ~ l. lit produced by his
excessive eAcitrmcrl.
''Ani you don't know who the man real
ly was:' asked Eugene.
"That is the strangcst part of it all,'
replied the attorney,"I never heard of hin
before"
"Well," said Eugene, "this is my first
knowledge of a second claimant. wish
the poor fellow had lived. He might have
been the true heir after al"
"And if he was-'' began the attorney,
but Eugene interrupted him.
"That would have ended the matter so
far as am concerned. l should have with
drawn my claim ut once"
Given if Il decision in your favor could
have been procured?"
"That would have made no difference
when the right Of the case WAS considered,
and 1 should most assuredly have done So,
was the firm and manly reply.
"Well, WE'LL" said the attorney, "that is
neither here nor there now. The matter
WAS settled in a strange way, and it Is not
necessary to talk Of what might have hap
"