The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-06

IT beg pardon for the misconstruction.
My name is Gaspard Durer, q short while since
q soldier in the French service. Do you see
anything in my appearance or anything else
about this case which ~justifes you in interro-
eating mi oficiallyT
. Until one who is found with q body that
has been murdered or dangerously assaulted
has accounted satisfactorily for his presence
there, there is o legal suspicion fixed upon
him."
"If I must be detained to satisfy the Law. I
yield to the annoyance with as little impatience
as possible where the officer Of the law exer-
cises his duties 80 courteously."
After o few more remarks we're passed, the
squire babe his son Eddie conduct the gentle
man to bis room and see him well provided for
the night.
After the traveller had loft, the vagrant still
fingered. Shifting his hat restlessly but me-
chemically, he seemed to resume a conversation
which had probably been interrupted by the
strangers exit from the stable.
"Pears to me now"-an expression which
indicaAd the result Of some mighty reflection
for his calibre-''Pears to me as he amt telling
the truth. He amt named Casper Deray, be-
cause he'd o said so fust. Pears to me he
looks like old Raoul Dupuy, and CASTOR afore
him; and, if I ain mistaken, he's been in these
parts afores'
"Who's the woman, Randy?"
~ have been looking at her, but pears to
me I never seen her afore-leastways, she don't
come from about here"
1.-THE resemblance of Durer to the Dupuys is
-L.I:-- IL r o%,- ak Gpak hn xpao Tho la
Of CASTOR. who has been absent 30 long. What
think you my son?"
Cant say, father, but his resemblance to
MIR. Dupuy at the manor would be noticed by
any one"
son Of Dupuy himself, if half they bring from
Turin parts is erect; pears to me he must
have more'n one."
"And your friend Raoul amt too good for a
fraud or q lie" ch,rped the vagrant.
ave will dispense with your comments on
squire.
"No offence, squire, but 'spense or no 'spense,
I knows the laws, and alters take care to have
proof afore I says q libel on any mad"
"Whst do you know Of Raoul Dupuy, villain,
that you dare maintain such a thing concern.
ing his character, which is polluted by your
mention Of it?
"Never mind what I know, squire, SO long
as I amt said it" answered the tramp.
"What is your opinion, doctor" asked the
squire.
q It is rather early to ask an opinion about
the patient, squire. Tho skull is fractured, and
it may be necessary to trepanit it, il any portion
is bearing on the brain"
"Do you think the blow will permanently
affect her brain, or that she will be sound in
mind should she recover?"
"If the pressure Of the bone upon the brain
be removed, she will doubtless recover her
senses. But until she is completely vel again,
and even after, no risk must be taken in the
case. Absence Of excitement or noise is indis-
pensable, as the slightest mental shock might
make her Q raving maniac. Blows upon that
fegion Of the head have been known to deprive
persons Of the power Of speech, and il she is
not kept perfectly quiet, she may recover only
to linger out a dumb existence"
After breakfast o servant, whom the squire
had dispatched across the creek upon bis first
arising, returned with the information that Mr.
Taylor-the gentleman whom the stranger had
left at his gate on the ~road-would be over
immediately after breakfast.
Upon the arrival Of Mr.. Taylor, he and the
squire retired for q consultation, to which they
after awhile called Randy. tho vagrant They
then returned to the traveller, and, after hear.
ing his account once more. and comparing the
time Of his leaving Mr.. Taylor with that OF his
arrival at the sources. they proceeded to the
creek in company.
Upon their arrival the squire addressed the
traveller:
II have taken counsel with Mr.. Taylor
touching this case, which seems q deep mys-
terry, after all the information We have been 80
far able to gather; the lady seems unknown
even 70 Randy, who visits every house in this
and the adjoining counties, and you are equal
" q stranger to US, I consider, however, that
you have been fully discharged from any con-
nection with the affair. We must first attempt
to gather something from the lady herself.
At this point the doctor came out Of the sick
room. He stated that the lady had greatly i'm.
proved during the night, and that the wound
was, in all probability, not serious the lady
had even recovered, in q measure, the control
Of her mental faculties and language, though
she was not fully conscious or coherent as yet.
The squire, Mr.. Taylor, the traveller and the
doctor together proceeded to the bedside OF
the unfortunate woman, the stranger-being
assured of his release by the words OF the
squire-frst ordering q servant to bring his
horse to the door before leaving the piazz..
Upon reaching thu bed the woman opened
her eyes, and, seeing the kind, manly faces OF
the squire aud Mr.. Taylor, she family smiled,
and ran her eyes over the rest Of the group.
She passed the doctor without any variance
Of expression, and then rested them upon the
face Of the stranger,
The eyes becames set In q horrible stare, the
light forsook them. the pupils dilate she
raised herself to o sitting posture by a convul-
sive movement Of the m then, %crouchiDg
to her knees and throwing herself wildly down
on her face, she shrieIed out With q curdling
moan:
"Oh, oh, Dupuy! don't. don't y and con-
seriousness once more left her.
he at once retired with the gentlemen, how
ever, to the piazza. Nothing had passed be-
tween the group until the doctor broke a pain
full constraint which had fallen upon all.
"Gentlemen,' said he, "the worst mishap
that could befall this unfortunate lady has just
occurred through her having seen this gentle
man, MI. Durer. She is q raving maniac. She
may die she may recover after q lingering
illness; but, in any event, she will be fortu-
nate if she ever RECEIVERS her reason. Darkness
has settled upon her brain for a long night,
which may never be followed by the dawn"
"To what, DOCTOR" asked the squire, do
you attribute her shock"
"She was evidently stricken with horror at
the sight Of MIR. Durer, whom, from ny
knowledge Of the laws Of the human brain,
she has in some way associated with the vio-
lence which has been done her, to her great
terror.
There was q pause, q painful lull.
Then the squire spoke to Durer.
"The case, sir, has taken q new turn. You
will not be surprised that I conclude it my duty
to commit you, to await further developments
in the matter.
Upon the last syllable he strobe from the
piazza, booted and spurred, his steps changing
an echo to his voice. One spring and he was
vaulted into his saddle he brushes away the
servant who holds his bit with imperial disdain,
and turns his horse at the gate.
The animal clears it with the activity and fire
Of his master, gathers himself on the other
side, and before the squire can recover from
the stupor Of amazement, is of like the wind.
The above is synopsis Of tho "THE SHADOW
Oh FATE" by Judge Jarvis, q wonderfully
dramatic and powerful novel, which began in
No. $50 Of FRANK LEsL1E's CHIMNEY CORNER,
now for sale at all news depots. 1t is a story
Of adventure and devotion Of an interest be-
yond that Of any novel published for years.
With No. geo Of FRANK LEsL1E's CHIMNEY Cor
NER is presented an exquisite steel engraving,
Gloves Young Dream" with No. 661,
"Dressed for Baptism picture appealing to
every family; with No. $50, "Nina." These
three engravings cannot be purchased in the
print-stores under FIFTEEN DOLLARS The