The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-05-26
ABBEVILLE, s. c., WEDNESDAY MAY 26, 1875

and blanched-and then; the lids fell over
those dark orbs, as if to shut out some ter
rible sight, and, with faint gasp, she sank
back in her chair. @s,
Violet was the only person, besides Mr.,
Malcolm, who saw the changein her friends
countenance, and leaning forward, she ex-
claimed, You are Ill, dear. Mr. Derwent,
Sybil is ill.,"
But Sybil recovered herself directly, and
though she could not bring back the color
to her tull-tale face, she forced smile, and
replied with calmness, |" My head aches,
that's all. Dear Violet, do not be fussy. I
shall be much better if left to myself"
Violet, O little hurt by the pettish tone
in which this was said, colored up, and
silently resumed her breakfast; and Mr..
Derwent, though he looked dissatisfied, and
cast more than one inquiring glance at his
daughter, returned to the conversation he
was carrying on with Nina Calverly'sa
father, a rampant politician.
Charles Malcolm, however, startled and
troubled, he could scarcely tell why, had
risen from his seat then sat down again;
and finally requested the servant to 60 to
Mr.. Walters chamber, and not to come
away without thoroughly awakening him.
As the man departed on his errand, NAL
colin looked at Sybil, but she had shaded
her features with hand that trembled as
if she was suffering acute pains nor had
she stirred or spoken when the man return
ed and whispered a word in the ear of J.
master, which made him start up and quit
the room, with strangely perturbed coun-
tenance.
No one commented on this, bat silence
fell upon the whole party, as if an indefn-
able sense Of something unpleasant having
occurred, had stolen over them. Vernon
Aubrey quilted his place, and walked to
distant window, Violet following his move
ment with wondering eyes. But Sybil SEEM
ed to have suddenly recovered her CON-
posure, and sat at the head of the table,
very pale still, certainly, but with all traces
Of her former emotion thoroughly subdued,
and her TEXTURES SO rigid, that she looked
as though she had suddenly grown ten
years older.
A minute had barely elapsed, when Mr..
Malcolm was c.llled from the ROOM He
found Mr.. Derwent awaiting him in the
hall, with doubt and dread legibly depicted
on his countenance. He was walking about
the hall in great, perturbation, and Us soon
as the young man appeared, he hoarsely
whispered, John tells Inc that there is
something amiss upstairs. Have you the
courage to so and see what is for dare
not!'
Without stopping to reply, N ,lcolm be-
gan to mount the stairs thrce at Il time,
closely followed by the man-scrvaIt When
his fingers were On the hlnule of his cousin's
chamber-door, he briefly asked, +" is it lock-
ed?
No?
Then you have been in?'
,"Yes, sir; after knocking several times,
I tried the door; and thcn-und then-"
But Malcolm had not waited to hear his
answer. He had already entered, and flung
back the shutters that partially dlrkcncd
the room. When the full light Of day was
thus admitted, he drew aside the trapery
surrounding the bed. It's motionless tenant
lay back on the downy pillows, as if buried
in the profoundest slumber; and as Mall
colin put out lis hlnd to touch the averted
face, he spoke the name OF Walters gently,
feeling half reluctant to awaken him. Then
o cry of pain, mingled with horror, broke
from his lips That touch had told him all.
The gay, handsome, reckless Robert
Walters-the false lover OF Millicent Vyner,
the bold sutor for the hand OF Violet Linds.
ly-had looked his last npou them both.
he was dead
Starting from his momentary trance of
awe and astonishmept, Malcolm hastened
to raise the inanimate form in his arms, and
call imperatively for assistance and doctor.
Mr.. Derwent's g scared visage now appeared
at the door, and though he had not the re-
solution to cross the threshold, he took care
that every suggestion Malcolm made was
promptly carried out. Two medical men
were speedily in attendance, but their aid
was of no avail. The young man had been
dead for some hours, and an examination OF
the body resulted in their agreeing that his
sudden decease might be attributed to
diseased heart, and the excitement under
which they learned, in answer to their
searching inquiries, that he had labored
during the preceding evening.
A London physician, whom Walters had
occasionally consulted, came down to Nor
wood at Nalcolm's request, and added the
weight Of his opinion to that Of his profess
sonal brethren. He testified no surprise at
what had occurred, but stated that he had
warned the young man once or twice that
he inherited a delicate constitution from his
parents; and, though not precisely antici-
pating TINT his patients life woul be such
short one, he had, he said, cautioned Mr..
Walters that he was living much too fast to
retain health and strength for any length
ened period. This medical testimony was
considered conclusive, and the judicial in
quiry at which it was given, resulted in
verdict of death from natural causes.'
Every one who had been present at MIR.
Derwent's fancy ball was, or professed to be,
very much shocked at the awful occurrence
that followed 80 quickly after. Violet
Lindsly closely confined herself to her own
apartments; but whether to weep over the
untimely fate of her wealthy suitor, or to
avoid the condolences and curiosity OF her
acquaintances, no one knew. After the in
quest, the body of Robert Walters was re-
moved from Derwent Lodge, for interment
in the family grave at Walters Park, -
shire, and Charles Malcolm sought the
presence of Sybl Derwcnt once more, to say
his adieux to her and her father. He wish
ed also to thank them for the kindness and
consideration with which the latter, at all
events, had treated him during the first
hours Of his sincere and manly grief for the
sudden demise Of the only near relative ne
had possessed. This done, he proposed
quitting Dcrwent Lodge directly, and for
ever.