The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-07-14

"This is turning the tables with q vcnre-

ance = he cried scornfully. "IIr. Aubrey,
who knows that his own doubtful conduct
has induced many to believe him to be the
guilty wretch who took Robert Walters
life, now tries to shift the odium on to mn
shoulders. Is there no other evil deed YOU
can imputc to me 7"
murmur Of sympathy arose amongst
those who stood around. Mr.. Derwent's
calm and imposing manner had greater
effect upon them than the disorIered looks
and passionate assertions of Vernon Au-
brey.
But the latter was not daunted by this.
81 repeat it,, he said, addressing himself
to Violet. II repeat my words. To this
man, and none other, did Robert Walters
owe his untimely dcath.'
1t was the voice Of the deeply moved
Malcolm that answered him. If this be
true, why have you so long kept silent
Why have you permitted yourself to be
suspected 2"
He might have added, "Wh5 have you
let me so unjustiy condemn the unfortll-
nate Sybil - but he could not Lriug him
self to acknowledge the dreadful doubts
Of her innocence which had tormented
him.
Before Vernon Aubrey could reply, Mr..
Derwent dctiaatly exclaimed, "rhere has
been enough of this I ain not bound to
stand on my own hetrthstone and hear my
self SO unwarrantably asLersel. Have
you any proofs to bring forward of the
truth of your sts..cinent? No! [ thought
as much. Like Mr.. Malcolm you think to
frightcn Miss Lintsly into believing NE a
monstcr"
s'Ihe proofs Of the crime are here r' sid
feminine voice; and M!licent Eyncr
came forward, and stood, calm and ur-
daunted, before the Speakers
"Iou!' gaSpcl Mr.. Dcrwcnt, fear Creep
ing over him for the first time. why,
what can you know -
"Too much for your safety" Milliccnt
responded, "Like many other asslssns
you have permitted your own carclcssncss
to convict YOU" He would have inter.
rupted, but she went steadily on. "Nhen
you flung the phal from the window of the
room where you mixed the deadly draught,
you forgot to destroy the stopper which
had closed it-you forgot TO do away with
the case in which that phal, with three
others, had been hidden. 1t is here !" she
exclaimed, holding up Il tiny glass stopper,
and the little carved box she had taken
from the drawer in his dressing-room.
"The long-s"usht proofs are here; Ind to
you, Slr. Mllcolm, rs the lvcngcr Of Rob
ert Walters, / contidC them"
There WAS q lnomrntary hush in the
room, US she stepped, up to Malculn, and
put into his hands the articles she had
discovered. Mr. Dcrwcnt still held his
head erect, as if he det;ed his uccusers;
but his blanched lips, and strange cx-
preston i'll his deep-set eyes, betrayed the
struggle going on within
Sir John Lcfroyc was the first to move.
He quietly left the apartment, and eaya
some directions which resulted in the
police making their appearance at Der
went Lodge in the course Of very shor
time.
Violet had listered with brcat!less
horror to Millcent Vyner's revelations,
and now she tried to release herself from
Mr.. Derwent's hold. When she found this
impossible, she shrckcd to Aubrey for
help, in fit of terror which she could not
control
At the sound Of her piteous cry-at tho
sight of the look Of mingled horror and re-
gret she east upon him, Mr.. Derwent' 5 fc'-: .
titude partially gave way, and his grasp
relaxed No sooner did Violet discover
this, than, forgetful of everything but the
inspiring sense of freedom, she sprang in
to the outstretched arms Of Vernon Au-
brey.
Like a frightened but confding child,
she clung to him, and sobbed upon his
breast: while he, overjoyed to know that
he had rescued her, and that her heart had
never held any other image than his own,
soothed her tenderly. In the softest whis-
pers, he babe her remember that she had
nothing to fear now-that his arms were
around her. and she was safe.
Safe! All, the word was spoken too
quickly.
When Mr.. Derwent sawthe women whom
he had periled his soul to win, clinsing to
his detcsted rival without thought of the
torture she was inaicting on him, his breath
came and went, his teeth were fcrccly
gnashed, and an execration burst from his
lips, so awful, so blasphemous, that
every one who heard it shrank from him
affrightcd.
The next minute q loud report was heard
a strickland y heavy fall. He had
added another to his many crimes.
He turned to fly rs soon as the decd was
DONE but ere he reached the door to which
he directed his flight, two policemen ap-
peared at it, and he found himself helpless
ly their prisoner.