The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-09-15
rcopYRIeHT sEcuRED.l
.TheH} H}eir oftheWliIIs:
OR
Cite Sttoruey's zee.
BY
ALFRED B. TOZER,
EUTHoR OF "BoUND HAND AND FooT,"
"WHo WAS TO BLAME" ETC, ETC.
fcoPYRIeHr sEcURED.1
CHAPTER xxi.

CHAPTER XXI. q
FACE TO FACE.
ri am afraid he Is indeed dead, ," were the
doctors first words as he felt for Ames'
pulse. "Was it anything important you
desired to say to himp"
Everything depended on few words
from him. said Grover. "I can't believe
that he is dead"
The doctor drew aside the matted gar
ments which Ames' condition had kept the
attendants from removing, and placed his
hand over his heart.
HE still breathes," he said, after mo.
ment's examination, "and may revive for q
very few moments before death occurs.
That is quite common in such cases."
Thank God" exclaimed Roland, II
feared for the worst when ssw that terri
BILE look come over his face"
"The room must be cleared" said the
doctor, "and you must stand close to his
side, ready to catch the slightest word or
motion. You see yourself that the man il
very weak, and" he added, glancing at
Roland's haggard face, "you are not much
better. But for the urgency Of the case.
should insist on your returning home at
once"
II seen him look like that once before,
DOCTOR" said Uncle Billy, with knowing
wink at Grover, "an' be come out Of it like
brick. I'll risk him"
II remember You now, said Roland, tax
ing the old man by the hand. ri don't
think can ever forget any of the incidents
or faces Of that terrible night"
"Listenw said the doctor, bending over
his patient, Games is reviving. Clear the
room, Uncle Billy, and, Grover, you must
raise his head while administer the cor.
dial"
Both did as requested, and, in q short
time, the dying mans eyes opened.
He motioned for Roland to come closer.
"I can't talk much" he said, in q faint
whisper, "but / would like to know that
you won't keep any hardness against me-"
"No, no, my poor fellow" said Roland,
the tears springing into his eyes. ri for
give you fully, for you were only the
tool of a bad man. Can you hear what I
sayT'
Ames nodded.
young Wallingford i. in jail, Mr.. Ames.
Tell me If he knew of this attempt On my
life tonight"
Ames tried to speak. but stream Of
blood welled from his lips at the effort, and
he sank back exhausted.
He, however, made a motion with his
hand for them to write what they wished
him to say.
Grover tore leaf from blank book in
his pocket, and handed it, together with q
pencil, to Roland.
The young man wrote:
'sEagere did no. .'-o1 Of the attempt at
murder to night. de thought his fival
died three days ago from an accident.
Gray hired me to do the killing, and l
was not to say anything to Eugene about
it."
"From what have learned since, am
sure that was the way of it," said Roland
to the doctor. Then he bentover the dying
man again.
"Can you hear me if I read what I have
written ?" he asked.
Ames nodded again.
Roland read the paper very slowly and
then said:
"Remember that you are on your death
bed now, my poor fellow. You will stand
before the great Judge of all within this
hour. Can you, then, solemnly declare
that what have written is true ?"
Ames made great effort to speak, but
the blood again choked his utterance.
He motioned for the pencil and paper.
"He desires to sign it, said Grover.
"Lay the paper on book and hand him
the pencil"
After this was done It was found that
tho dying man could not con troll his hand
sufficient even to sign his name.
"Your mark will do," said the doctor.
Ames made the mark with great effort,
and sank back exhausted.
Again that terrible look crept over his
face, and Grover raised him in his arms.
For moment there was silence in the
little room. The dying mans breath came
harder at every effort, and the white look
did not leave his face again.
His lips moved for moment az though
in silent prayer, shudder crept through
his frame, and then Grover realized that
the form he held had nothing more in COM
mon with the busy life-the beauty and
grace-the temptations and sins-of the
world.
He was dead.
ut is terrible. terrible to die in that
way" said Roland, with great tears of sym.
pathy coursing down his checks. "H my
aim had only been less true this man
might have been saved."
"Don't think of that now," said Grover,
"you only acted in self.defence. We must
leave Uncle Billy to care for the body" he
added, "and hasten to Eugene"
The drive to the prison was short one,
and the young men found the officer there.
II rather expected some of young Wal
ineford's friends here tonight" he said,
as Grover entered the turkeys room.
He started back, however, when he saw
Roland.
care you here ?" he demanded. "You
can't see him, sir. Only those can see him
now who can sympathize with him.
couldn't have loved that boy more if he had
been my own, and I won't have him taunt-
ed now that be is in trouble" sold the off,
Ger, hastily.
"You mistake his errand entirely" said
Grover. "He came with me to secure Eu-
genes release
The impulsive officer grasped Roland
warmly by the hand.
"And you believe that he is innocent"
he cried. ri thank you for that, but am
afraid he can't be released until after the
examination"
Nonsense" sal! Grover, with a smile.
eugene is only held on suspicion now.
Read this confession signed by Ames.
and then see how much of the suspicion re-
mains
The officer read the paper eagerly. and
again shook Roland by the hand.
"You are sure that this is Ames' mark"
he asked.
"Y-s, we saw him make it, and the doc
tor and Uncle Billy were also present"
"This may be Illegal" said the officer,
almost dancing for joy, "but III be blessed
if it amt human, and I'm going to let Eu-
gene out. You will pardon my demonstra-
tions," he said, taking Roland by the hand
for the third time, "but if you knew how
much think Of that boy, and how hard it
L