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

fold degree, for have not just caused her
brothers arrest on the most terrible OF all
charges p
al will stop at the hotel. tonight" he
said, after moments thought.
A short distance down the street, howey-
er, Roland and his companions we're over
taken by Grover. Just as he came up they
were turning off from the street on which
Grover lived in the direction of the hotel.
"Where are you going, MIR. Gordon?
That is not the way home" were his first
words. -" .... &C.. ....' 49,.
"Why, thought that my presence at
your house wouldn't be desired after--'
"I insist on your returning tony house"
said Grover. ri have heard everything,
and can't. believe that you have acted
from any but honorable motives in this sad
affair.""
Rolrnd hesitated. ....- t...t....
al won't take no for an answer" said
Grover. "a great wrong has been done
tonight, and you must help to rectify it.
The task we have to do can best be per-
formed at my house. Bertha and Fanny
are already on the way there, both almost
wild with grief" ..
II thank yon for your kind opinion, said
Roland, graspine his friend warmly by the
h,nd. "bnt can't meet the girls tonight.
Think Of the misery and shame have un-
Willingly caused them.
"You are too woak to stand here long,
interrosed one Of the men. "You must
have your wound cared for ut once.'
This decided Grover,
e.. i"Takc him to my house, he said. "He
will thank me tomorrow for baing. so OBJ
.stinlte ahout this matter"
So Roland was soon comfortably located
in his old quarters, and the physician sent
for. In q short time hiswound was dressed
bv the same doctor who had attended him
before. ,...'
"Tf you keep on at this rate, yonng man."
saiid tile old doctor "3on will soon want to
engage asurgcon by the year, and keep him
with you night and drv.! '..''..' .-'s.
"I hope the trouble is all over now" was
Roland reply.
The wound WIS by no means serious
one, and the doctor said r olnnd would not
be confined to the hnnse for more than
day or two-no longer. in ftct, than it took
his nervous system 10 recover from the
shock it hid sustil!n !. ..t
"It seems taey can't kill you, young
man." he said, putting mp his instruments.
After the Doctors departure, Grover en-
teroi tho room. = a.. 80 -
"T,c girls are here and anxious to see
. you. Hugh" he said. "Shall I tell them
to come MP? Both are better now" 81 e.
Roland said Eyes" but he would have
given ANYTHING to have avoided the inter-
view. He expected reproaches and tears.
and was therefore va9reeably surprised
70 that
both were cllm. even hopeful.
al can't tell 'ou bow grieved nm over
to-night's occurr .nccs,' he said. ."and still
think an free from any blame In the
matter" . ...' ...
"a gr,at mistake has been made some-
where" said B ,rtha. "Lnd my poor brother
is now payin the penaltv.' o..
"Did they really take him to prison 2"
asked Roland. ..- ... .. ....
Yes" replied Berth. the tears spring.
ing into her eyes. Eugene is in jail Can
nothing be done? Must he stay there until
this terrible matter is settled ?" g. r. -,
g.. "Would to Heaven could do some
thing" said Roland with sigh. ..
=. II am sure you can do something" urged
Funny. you can't believe Eugene guilty
Of Joining in the attempt on your life. l
know that heisinnocent, for he never knew
of your claim to this wretched property
= until Gray told him in this very house only
last night, and then you were spoken OF as
q dead man. It was at yonr own request
that your recovery was kept secret from
him." .'.t -. e.
"I have been blind, blind" exclaimed
Roland, springin, to his feet. forgetful, for
the moment. sef his wounds. MAY God
forgive me! Oh, my darling" he Dried,
taking both Of Bertha's h 'nds in his own,
"that should have caused all this misery
when y little frankness would have spared
you.' g..
Bertha looked up with sudden hope
mingled with the surprise in her eyes.
"There is hope then HIgh?"
"Hope, Bertha!" Eugene shall be out
Of prison in an hour! Iwss NAL not to
stop the officer when h. arrested him !"
ooh, Hugh! if you can only do that"
Don't call me by thLt n,me, Bertha.
Gray was right when he said that claimed
to be Roland E. Wallingford, and | made q
great mistake whom told the people here
to call me another NAME"
"IfEugene had only known was all the
reply the young girl made.
1T is strange why the attorney should
have taken such an interest in the affair"
said Roland, thoughtfully. "for if, as you
soy, Eugene knew nothing Of my recovery,
he certainly couLl not have planned to have
me killed, an it follows thlt Gray and
Ames alone did tn It deectlble work. But
l fail to find motive for such desperate
work."
81 can supply that" said Grover. who had
entered the room unobseri Cd. "Gray held
Eugene's cheuue for two hundred thousand
dollars, and of course It was worthless un-
less the will was decided in his favor"
'Why did Eugene give that cheque?"
asked Roland, a little suspciously.
"Simply because Gray claimed to have
everything in his own htnds, and he refused
to aid him in securing the property, or
even to produce the will-which he declar-
ed to be in Eugene sf:lvor-without large
fee,' replied Grover.
"That accounts for the first attempt"
said Roland, "nnd-'
'The FIRST attempt! interrupted Grover,
in surprise, "is it possible that tie wound
YOU received the night, brought you
here was not the result Of an accidental
fallf"
"Gray struck the blow sud Roland,
bitterly, and then. as neLr rs I can learn,
pitched ,uc down stairs. The only wonder
is that was not killed.
"You must have borne = charmed life,
Mr. Gor-Wallinyford." said Fanny. smil-
ing as she corrected herself in speaking
the name.
But Eugene is in prison while we are
talking here" sail Roland, drawing on his
great coat and rcnchins for his hat.
care you going out?' asked Bertha, as
she saw the movement. "You certainly
Are not strong enough yet"
"If Grover will help me- with his arm
until carriage can b. obtained | think l
can manage il" said Roland, now revlyfor
the start. Il alone can secure your broth
er's release tonight, for it WAS ny endorse
ment of Amcs statement that caused his
arrest. hope to have him with INC on my
return" he added, gully. As, leaning on his
friends arm. he passed ont Of the door.
an f,l-