The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-11-27
A DARK GAME LOST.

terruptedly far into the autumn after
noon, and had now retired to consider
their decision. It was distressing case,
and occurring in Singlebridge, which is
amere handful of town, provoked in
tense interest among the inhabitants.
Silas Westbrook, the reluctant prosecu-
tor, was senior partner in an impressive
" solid firm which bad fourished in the
borough for generations. His son Au-
gustus (also of the firm), witness for the
prosecution, was held in much esteem
by certain of the younger sort in Single
bridge, who sympathized with his amia-
BILE wildness. About Mr.. Blanchard,
another witness for the prosecution,
little was known to the inquiring gos-
sips. he had been resident with the
Westbrooks for about eight months,
during which period he had sat along
side Gus in the Office in business hours,
and had been good deal about him at
other times. They got on amazingly
well together, people observed, but
despite all his efforts-and svme of these
were marked enough-suave Mr.. Blan-
chard failed to similarly captivate Gus
pretty sister Fanny. As became her
fathers daughter, she treated the West
Indian connection of her fathers firm
with unerring graciousness. But her
sweetest moods, her tenderest looks and
gentlest tones were not for him. The
magician, at whose bidding they SO
gladly came. was Blanchard's instinc-
tive foe. From the moment Harold
White, confidential clerk to the firm,
and potential partner therein, met and
simply shook hands with the West In
dian, they hated each other with a
hatred that owed it's sustenance on the
one side to contempt, and on the ether
to malice and all uncharitableness. To-
day will behold the triumph or discomf-
ture of Blanchard. In the police court of
Singlebridge. in the presence of q crowd
of people, the majority of whom are
personally known to him, Harold White
stands accused on the united testimony of
the Westbrooks, father and SOB, of en-
bezzlement.
To the profound chagrin of the magis-
trates' clerk, who, cordially disliking
Blanchard, wishes we'll to the accused,
the latter conducts his own defense.
"Silence in the court"
The silence is oppressive when, in q
voice full of feeling, the chairman turns
to the accused and says:
Harold White, I, who have known
you for 80 any years, need not say that
the long examination, which my brother
magistrates and myself have this day
conducted to the very best of our ability,
has been to all of us fraught with con-
siderable pain. And we are bound to
admit, in your behalf, that nothing has
transpired in the course of this hearing
which reflects in the least on your con-
duct during tue period to which I refer.
We have given due consideration to this
fact in your favor, and have come to the
conclusion, actuated by motives which
we earnestly hope you will live to ap.
preciate in proper spirit, to dismiss
the case. You may CO."
"But my character, exclaimed White,
in voice husky with emotion, 'who is
to clear that of taint ?"
yourself" solemnly answered the
chairman. "Call the next case"
Dazed, trembling under the influence
Of warning passions, he left the dock and
passed out of the court into the sunlit
street. Whittier should he direct his
feet?
The September sun was setting redly
behind familiar belt of woods which
fringed the further bank of tho river as
he continued his moody walk. He had
held on for miles, needless of the direc
ton he took, and now he awoke from his
ft of passionate bitterness to find him
self on spot that had often been hal
lowed by the presence of the girl he
loved. What did she think Of him?
"Harryl"
"Fanny"
In those two words all was expressed.
"Oh Harold, have followed you for
hours, fearing to speak, you look SO pale
and changed T.
ct am changed. They have not sent
me to prison, Fan, but the prison taint
on NE. Why don't you shrink from
moral leper, as the lest OF them have
one?"
Because and it seemed to him as
though her voice had never thrilled with
such sweetness before-"I know YOU"
"And you believe
"That all will be righted yet. I can
wait, dear-if you will let me. You were
never more precious to me than you are
at this moment"
:" Miss Westbsook Come, Fanny, this
is no place for you"
Harold and she had not heard the
footsteps 1t was Blanchard and her
brotherw.so approached unnoticed.
- And Eo place for you either" said
White to blanchard.
z !" Faugh," P" replied that worthy. 81
have no words to waste on such as you,
sir. am here to perform a duty"
/" Scoundrel I" Harold began, at the
same time raising his hand. She touch.
ed him, and he was still.
"Sir, she said, "I am mistress oi
my own actions. If I choose to accom-.
pany my brother it is because choose
Harold, good.b Come what may,
my faith viii not falter, my love never
change. &,