The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-04-19

g crafty coward to have won you from
me: but. 10y Heavens he shalI sue his
"Jackw exclaimed the girl pale anu
alarmed, "ThSt &C yca :aeen?"
"That love you, bay; have always
loved .you-muss love you TO my dying
hour"
Before she haL OWNED his intent, he
had taken her In his arms, pressing kiss
on her forehead : then ho' had gone, and
the girl full of grief, dropped weeping on
a chair. A voice aroused her. Looking
up, she beheld Thomas Mildmay by her
side. His faco was very white, his brows
contracted, his lips compressor.
"Alay," he said hoarsely, 81 have heard
every word. was yondcr," pointing 10
the conservatory. "What is all this
What does he mean by your deceiying
him?" 49,
"Tom, know nc more than you; un-
less he has taken a childish joke in
seriousness. Pape shall set him right"
mo; he has called me coward, nc
cused me Of worse. The task must be
mine, and the explanation and the
apology must be made tonight"
He moved away. She tried to stay
him, but for once he was deaf to her
voice. The outer door banged, and
etriding over the snow, Thomas Mildmay
followed John Westmacott, who with n
presidency fo~ which an old tutor could
not account, refused bed Mt the rcctory
and had started for the village.
The snow had ceased, but O tempest
had arisen, the leahess trees seemed like
wands before IL, and the waves were
heard breaking in bursts like thunder
upon the shore not mile distant. The
SKY wss clear and drear, only the earth
waa white. A mountain stream, which,
when the rains or SHOWS came, swelled
:1to the dimensions Of q river, interested
the road leading from the rectory to thu
village, and on this night it rushed and
eddicd in whirling foam between its
banks and the sea. Spanning it's food
was rustic bridge, about which grew
few frs and larches
1t was here that Thomas Mildm.y
overlook John Westmacott. What past
between them we need not minutely re-
count. It was accusation and rcfltation
first, speedily followed by angry words,
blended with threats. Then there was q
blow sharp, short struggle, and one
man quilted the spot, while the other
laid OH the rivers bank, with his face on
tho snow, motionless and still-by bis
side spray of the holly branch May
Westieigh that morning had gathered.
CHAPTER III.
Not proven. That was the verdict
John Westmacott, there was good rea-
son TO believe that he was murdered, and
by Thomas Miidmay. The two young
men had quilted the rectory together,
each bound for tho village. Only one,
however, Thomas Mildmay, had arrived
Mt the inn, his clothes in disorder, his
manner agitated, his shrt-front blood
stained. The next morning John Vest
macott was missing.
Search was made, but not only indica-
tions of severe struggle we're discovered
on the left bank of the river, but also We
impress of mans body in the snow, all
sprig of holly, gold seal, and cane,
all of/Whieh were John wv estnacott'a
properly. But the body OF sohn Weste
macott wa5 absent. - -
On being arrested, Thomas Mildmay
confessed that he and John ,Westmacott
had fought by the bridge-npon what
matter he refused to state. But he de-
clared the impress on the snow was his
own that tio Ind been struck down i'll
sensible by his opponent; that, Oh recov-
ering, he had found himself alone, and
fearing to arouse the inmates of the
rectory, had gone to tho inn.
Some believed this story, May did from
her heart. Nevertheless, circumstantial
evidence was against him. Or such
night the body of man thrown into the
river would have been whirled down
to and lost in the ocean like wisp of
straw. ali. }s ga tG r2.ai
Still, as no body could be found, the
direct proof of mirder was wanting the
Scotch jury brought ir "Not Proven"
and with the brand of Cain ON his fore
bead, which only the appearance of john
Westmacott in life could remove, the
accused was released, condemned mutely,
If not openly, by the public voice.
"Then what do you thirk he's become of
him? Z" asked the rector, ea.ly, after hear
ing that Thomas Mildmay's recital of the
quarrel.
II cannot imagine, sir, unless he COM
mitted suicide" was the rejoindcr "He
was mad at the moment. His accusa.
lion, his language, showed it. He was
capable of anything"
"What do you i1eend doing, my poor
boy?"
~
man, gloomily. "What becomes of me
here is of small consequence"
"Save to mo dear Tom,' said hfay,
moving near to him, and lifting her brave
,yes to his. eff you go, it shall not be
alone. do not think you guilty. be-
ieve you all you have said. I have
promised to be your wife, and ] will be
10 now as ever, dear"
For some moments the emotion was
,oo great for words. Then, embracing
ier fenderly, he, exclaimed;
, ,"HeaveR bless you for those com fort
ng words, my darling. But TO; you
'hsll not make this sacrifice |; you shall
not bear name shadowed by such ver-
a;ct,uwhiph implies my guilt, moi suffi-
,ientl proyed for the low 10 pnAis ! ,3bus
equally gailty."N e - - - Il
Two years had elapsed during which
40 intelligence had been heard of John
Westmacett, were he living, nor lately. of
rhomas Mildmay, when, one stormy
night. the anniversary of John Westnna-
,ott's disappearance, the inmates of the
'ectory were aroused by the deep, melan-
sholyiboom Of the fninnte-gun. Il WAS q
lopnd unfortunately too often heard on
hat wild, rugged north coast; but its
frequency did not deter the inhabitants
from quitting their bedsn apxious to ran
der aid.
The rector was ever among the first to
the reward. On this night, de-
spite his peTsuasions, for she had grown
very delicate, May, her plaid wrapped
l. al L.