The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-22
OVER-REACHING.

mansion, surrounded Dy extensive
grounds. So much could be seen in the
moonlight. But the entire front of the
house was dark. At the back, only two
windows in the upper part, beside the
basement, showed light.
The room within was large and lux
urious. An ample CRATE at one side
held bed of glowing Goals, and upon a
low couch near it an old man lay. BY
the gray pa.lor of his still handsome
face, his suuken eyes, his stiffness, he
was very i'll, perhaps dying.
A woman was the only other occupant
of the room, and she was young and very
beautiful.
She was in full evening dress, violet
velvet, made low and richly trimmed,
and on her whito neck and arms were
Jewels.
The eyes of the sick man watched her
as she slowly paced the room, her velvet
dress trailing the carpet, look in her
face that he could not read.
It was strange sight-the woman in
her gala attire, brilliant with beauty,
glittering with gems the man with his
pirched and sunken face, on which
deaths gray shadow seemed already set,
watching her.
She never looked at him, and, in spite
of her youth and loveliness, there was
something harsh and forbidding in her
countenancc.
The sick man moved uneasily on his
couch.
"It is very strange, Virginia, that
James does not return, he said, " am
sure he has been long enough to go to
town and back twice."
81 should think so, the woman an
swered, still without looking at him /;
"but perhaps he did not find either OF
the lawyers at his Office. and he may be
waiting to see Mr.. Judd"
In moment more some one knocked
softly upon the door of the sick room.
eff it's James want to see him, said
the man on the couch.
James came in, low. browed, sullen-
looking fellow, and stood crumpling his
hat in his hand.
"Did you find Mr.. Judd ?" his master
asked.
"No, sir; but I left word"
"Why didn't you 60 for Mr.. Leeds3
"I did but he wasn't ut home neither.
MI. Judd III be back tonight. They
was expecting him every minute. I told
'em to send him as soon as he come,
cause you didn't know as you'd live till
morning.
Virginia Aubrey glided forward.
"You didn't send any such word rs
that, did you, Robert ?" she said to her
husband. II think you are better to-
night. I am sure you will live weeks
yet. I begin to hope you may get well
again, you are 80 much better.
The sick man shook his head.
"I shall never see the morning again,
dear, am only keeping up on stimulants
now. 7 can't hold out much longer" "
"Do let me send for the doctor to
come back. Robert"
doctors can do me no good. you
know that. It is not doctor that 1
want, but lawyer. 1t is very strange
they should be away. Have You told
me the truth, James ?" he asked the man
suddenly.
"The truth, sir?" questioned the man
in stammering voice, while he stole a
furtive glauce at his mistress.
Virginia Aubrey put her hands behind
her and showed him roll OF notes.
"Why don't you answer, James q she
said, impatiently. "Have you told your
master the truth or not ?"
"The truth, of course. Why would
I tell him anything else, and him
a-dyiIsg?"
"You can CO." said Mr. Aubrey.
"Seni Rufus here"
As james departed the sick man turned
to his wife.
81 dor't know why he should but
James looked as if he was lying. 1t
can't be that any one here wants to keep
me from seeing lawyer?'
A strange whiteness crossed Virginia
Aubrey's beautiful face.
81 should hoIe not, dear. What OBJ
ject could they have?'
The sick man was silent.
Fifteen minutes passed
Suddenly Mr.. Aubrey spoke again
Virginia, why doesn' t..Rufus come ?"
81 will see," said his wife, calmly,
and rang the bell.
1t was James who answered it.
"Where is Rufus" she asked him.
"I dunno. It's like he forgot. told
him."
eco at once and tell him again"
James departed, and returned in about
ten minutes.
"Rufus," he said, "has been drink
ing-says he'll come when he gets ready,
not afore"
The sick man groaned.
eco and send Martha here, James, u
aid Mrs. Aubrey.
"She won't come either" moaned
her husband, in failing voice. "No.
body comes. They nave all deserted
me-even my daughter Blanche. knew
she never liked my marriage, but
didn't think she Xonld refuse to come