The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-09-08

"'1 learn that the will is to be contested,
land that the bank will not honor the cheque
until instructions are received from the
court" -..... ..
1t was dated at New, York that morning,
and was from the attorney Gray had in
structed to look after the matter
!. Everything goes wrong" exclaimed the
/ attorney. "I'll tell you what it is, Ames,
if you finish this ioI before sunrise to-
morrow mornirr you shall have IN extra
thousand"
"Agreedr' said Ames.
Gray saw that the man Was nervous and
excited now that the hour Of his murderous
work was so near ut hand His hand trem-
bled as he carried his half-burned cigar to
and from his lips, and his eyes looked wild
and haggard.
eff, through cowardice, he should fail me
now, everything would be lost, and to-
morrow night might find me in prison.
thought Gray, as he studied the mans
face. 90.
"Whiskey has left your nerves in ter
rible condition." he said, producing bottle
of wine and q package wrapped in brown
paper from a side board. "You must rest
yourself to-day, and will give you D sleep
- ing powder, and let you remain here. I
, will awake you in time, and you will find
yourself greatly refreshed.'
Ames drank the draught without making
any objection In fact he was glad the at
torney had been so thoughtful, for he was
sadly in need of rest. Besides, the day
would be blank to him, and he would be
rid of watching the slow hours which were
leading him to murder drag along, '.s.-'
Gray locked the door and closed the shut
ters as Ames sank back on the sofa in a
sound sleep. He was in no mood for work,
50 he took cigar--a luxury he seldom IN
dulged in-and tried to read the city dali
lies rs he smoked. T.:
But it was Of no use. lie could not in
terest himself in the news Of the day. So,
leaving Ames asleep in the office, he took
fresh cigar and strolled out into the vii
lage. The day was an unusually tine one.
The early autumn sunlight lay, sheen OF
golden haze, over the village, the river, and
the fertile lands beyond. The mills on the
river bank looked gloomy in their silence,
however, for all the glorious day, and the
streamers of Grape had not been removed
from the Office door.
81 may as we'll 60 in," he thought, as he
approached the building, "and see that all
is safe there"
H. applied Key to the office door, and
the bolt shot back. On trying the door,
however, he found that it was bolted OH the
inside. He shook the door vigorously, and
soon heard steps on the inside.
whats wanted p demanded a sruff voice
rs GRAY continued his efforts to gain admit
tance to the office.
81 want to get in" waa his reply.
"I have orders not to open the doors for
nny one,"' replied the voice. =.
"Who gave You such orders?" demanded
Grftv, in fever o. anxiety.
"Youns Wallinsford." - ,,.-.,,.
"Ihrough whom 7"
"Mrs. Ames." p,
Gray stopped to think. Could Eugene
have taken anv such step without consult,
ing him? That was very improbable. 1t
followed, then, that the man was acting
under Rolands instructions.
What could have put that into his
head p" the attorney muttered. "He GER
tainly has no right to take possession
now!,
IL sev. my friend" he called out, rap
ping on the door again." ri am Mr.. wal
linsforfl's attorney. and desire to get into
the building"
Cant hel that" was the reply. "1 am
to let no one in. Wouldn't let, my own
father cross that threshold for all the mill
is worth"
Every WELL renlied Gray. "You do
wcn.to observe yahi; instructions so in,'
plicitlv.- l will return with Mr.. WallinS-
ford in y short time" -.
Possession amounts to nothing today"
he muttcrcd as he urnedaway. "bnt If the
will is admitted to.morro" and this idiot
holds out it maybe every thing, particularly
ns the two claimants have only one name
between them. But" be added. with q
shudder, "there will be no two claimants
tomorrow. and we can get possession easy
enough, then. Perhaps the man had BEST
he left alone today. He can do no harm
there, and don't want any excitement
ever the matter in the village. My Work
must be done tomorrow. -.
It was nearly. nightfall when Gray re-
turned to his office. Amcs was still sleep
ing heavily, and he did not awake him un-
til It BEGAN to grow dark =
Then he shook him roughly and dashed
nearly glass nf wafer i'll his face. -.
ais it possible that I gave him too
much p exclaimed the attorney, redoubllns
his eEortsto arouse the sleeper. who still
showed no signs of consciousness.
."Comn, come" he cried, lifting Ames
to his feet by great effort, "you must
waste no more time here. See, it is getting
dark !"
"Ames orenea his eyes with ynwn, and
gazn.i wildly about him. -.
.He is dead!' he cried. "I saw the knife
in his heart Take him away-takc him
awav!' -"l
You are drcaming!" shouted Gray,
growing pale. "Ycu are dreaming, man.
Wlkr. up, saw"
"Yes yes. In, awake" grunted Amos.
"What do you want:'
"Dont ,ynu see it's night?" said the at
torney. You must get ready to go out. y
81 remember now, - said the other.
"Give me drink of wine. More! more!'
he added, as Gray poured out small por-
tiOn. O.. -. y.i.
Gray handed him the bottle and Ames
nearly cnptied it before taking it from his
lips ,...- 49,. -;
That's the stuff to brace a fellow up"
he exclaimed. srnacking his lips. ''Now for
business. Where shall soafter my inter-
view with this ere chap!'
"You had better come here if you can do
50 without being seem" replied the attor-
ney, following Ames to the door. Z
Alnes went down the stairs with coarse
song on his lips, for his long sleep and the
wine he had drank had not been without
their effa"t on his nerves.
And Gray SIT down in his Office to wait.