The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-05-26
VOLUME XXIII---NO. I.
"You must not ask me to do this" he ex.

-"You must not ask me to do this" he ex-
claimed, in great agitation. Anything
else, Malcolm; anything else, but not thisp'
"What are your objections ?" asked NAL
colin, in unfeigned astonishment. ri de-
pended upon you to stand by me in this
painful and difficult task. Tell me frankly
why you will not do so?''
Vernon Aubrey took'two or three turns
across the room before he answered, and
then his voice was hoarse and unsteady.
"Forgive me, Malcolm; know my refusal
must appear strange and ungenerous. But
there are reasons why cannot assist you
even with my advice. Do not question me,
for cannot satisfy you. Only believe that
lam not willingly refusing your request
Malcolm was annoyed, and he did not
hesitate to say so. g certainly did not
& think that you would fail me in my need,
nor canI Imagine what scruples dictate your
q If 7 had no Others" Vernon replied,
SLOWLY and reluctantly, "thecfact that Mr..
Walters and were not45h friendly terms
would be sufficient to deter pe from taking
an active part in anything :thlt concerned
his decease.'' - & - -
"Indced! I should have Thought it would
have made you all the more eager to show
that, with his death, the life, ling;was for
gotten. Nor did | know that your Ttralry-
must call it?-for ths smiles sof Violet
Lindsly had risen to the height Of an actual
quarrel"
cit was not on Miss Iindsly's account
that provoked Mr.. Walters wrath" Ver-
non replied Our disagreement was oc-
casioned by his unpSrd"lnbe rudeness to
Miss Derwent.'
Mal,olm's interest irtre ,sol directly he
heard this. nor did he rest uutil he had
learned all Vernon Aubrey had TO tell. At the
conclusion, he leaned his head on his han,s,
more chilled and miserable than before.
Here, then, was motive for the dreadful
deed. Walters, after wlntonly pl lying with
the affections Of this passionate and am
bilious woman, had not only deserted her
for the wealthier Violet, but had coarsely
taunted her with the futility of the wiles
she had practised upon himself. Was Sybil
DcrCent's the nature that cndurcs such things
patiently and calmly2 The links connecting
her with the crime were Strengthening
Unwillingly he acknowled this to his boding
heart, and almost in silence he pressed his
hat over his brows, and quilted Vernon
Aubrey's chambers.
There were wondering looks and whispers
at Walters Park when Charles Malcolm ar
rived, and postponed the interment. He
was accompanied by Mr.. Cayson, a shrewd
solicitor, who had occasionally acted for his
cousin, and two learned professors of medi-
cine, and the amazement increased when
the errand of these gentlemen began to be
bruited abroad.
A time Of agonizing suspense to Malcolm
was the interval that followed. But, at last,
the result Of the investigation was proclaim
ed. The broken phial had been submitted
to delicate and unmistakable tests. 1t was
found to have contained preparation little
known to this country, except to the few
who had made themselves familiar with the
properties Of the noxious drugs that com.
posed it. To dose of this phial Robert
Walters undoubtedly owed his untimelyfate.
The superficial examination Of his re-
mains, instituted by the medic Il men first
called in, warranted the conclusions they
had arrived at; but now convincing proofs
were found that the unfortunate young man
had been poisoned, the dose having been
doubtless administered in glass Of lemoa.
ade, which had been at his request placel
beside his bed.
The news spread like wild-fre. The
newspapers, which few days previously
had simply published Robert Walters
name in the list of deaths, now teemed with
accounts Of his strange demise, and tho
mystery surrounding it. One OF these parl-
graphs met the eye Of Mr.. Derwent, us he
sat Mt his breakfast-tablc with his luShter
and ward, and both the lldies looked up
inquiringly, when they heard the exclamA-
tion he uttered, as he per1lse,l it.
He passed the paper to Sybii, ~nd laid his
hand caressingly Oh Miss LinIs!y, ,fs-,.larui-
ed at the change Of his CONFERENCE.-The
rose and came to his side.
"Don't be frightened, dear child; but
prepare yourself to hear strange and un-
pleasant things. If this account may be de-
pended upon, the unfortunate Mr.. Walters
death was occasioned by an overdose of
some drug which he was in the habit Of tx.
ing and carrying about with him. Whether
he swallowed this accidently or deliberately,
it is difficult to conjecture; but as it hap
pened i'll our house, foresee great deal Of
unpleasant notoriety to lis, which there is no
way of avoiding"
Violet grew as pale as her guardian. "This
is terrible, indeed! Died by poison All,
how very, very dreadful Surely it was ac-
cidental Yes-yes it must have been 80,
Mr.. Derwent! Sybil, don't you agree with
me?'
Sybil read the par graph carefully, then
laid the paper down with no other comment
than her CHASTITY looks afforded, and left
the room. Mr.. Derwent, though listening
to, and answering Violet, caught glimpse
of the perturbed face of his daughter. It
seemed to startle him, and rising from his
seat, he was about to follow her. But after
moments consideration he altered his in
tention, and returning to the table, began
to busy himself with the contents Of the
letter-bag.
Here, amongst other epistles, he found
one from the solicitor employed by Charles
Malcolm, briefly detailing the proceedings
at Walters Park, and the necessity his
client had consequently felt himself under
of placing the affair in the hands Of the
London police.
Malcolm might have shown me the
courtesy Of writing himself" Mr.. Derwent
muttered, with frown. "What suspicious
can he be cherishing, that he has kept me
in the dark as long as he could ?"
Violet caught part Of his mutterings, and
laying down the newspaper report, which
she had been intently studying, she said,
Mr.. Malcolm has written to you, did you
say? I wonder how he bears this2 He
seemed much attached to his unfortunate
cousin. Poor Mr.. Walters! How dreadful
to be cut off so suddenly! Dreadful, both
for him and his survivors. 7 declare" she
added, excitedly,-"I declare I shall never
feel contented in this house again. A gloom
seems to rest upon it now, which nothing
can ever dispel! The thought Of what has
occurred will haunt and sadden me con-
tinually. do wish we could go right away!'
"Be calm, my dear Violet; be calm. If
Derwent Lodge has become so distasteful to
you, quit it by all means without delay.
Sybil and must remain until this trouble
some affair is arranged, but you need not do
so. There are several of our friends who
will be delighted to have visit from you''
"I could not be so selfish" said Violet,
warmly, cas- to 60 away and leave you and
Sybl here to contend with your annoyances.
If you must remain, so will I. But it is