The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-04-28


Il think moi" replied the girl; "nay,
good madam, am sure not" steadily
raising her arm; "but look" and she
shook back the loose sleeve, "you sec
had narrow escape; and in fact the
sleeve was pierced and torn by some
sharp instrument.
81 was SO frightened the girl went
on, "when he struck ut me with the
knife that thought was killed Oh,
dear! what trouble must be giving to
you ALL"
Mrs. Formcy disclaimcd all idea of
trouble and led the young girl upstairs
TO her own room.
"Whcn we arc all alone she will
doubtless explain all this mystery"
thought the good lady, for she guessed
at once that there was something unus-
uat between her son and this stranger,
Judging from their glanccs and oXcla-
nations.
But she was disappointed in her cx-
pcctations. The stranger was lovely,
she was charming She was cXuuiSitcly
grateful for the Kindness shown TO her,
but she was dumb in regard to the
strange events of the night. She neither
explained nor referred TO the mystery Of
her sudden and extraordinary entrance
on the scene, and she offered no sou
ton Of the looks and words which had
passed between her and William For
ncy, and Mrs. Forncy began to think
that she was not treated with Il proper
degree OF confidence by either OF these
young people.
After making the young stranger rs
comfortable rs possible for the night she
bado her a rather cold 'adicu" and
added
you shall tell me who YOU are and
where am to send for your friends in
the morning, my dear You are too
weak and too much alarmed for further
efforts of any kind tonight"
And, indeed, the mysterious young
lady did look pale and wan, so that Il
harder heart than gentle Mrs Forncy's
might have been touched with pity for
her. But 1t was not in human nature
not to wonder at these things and Mrs
Forncy was, in truth, consumed with
curiosity, and this feeling on her part
she AZ once communicated to her SON
you wish for an explanation, mother,
dear, and you shall have it SO far as |
have the power to give it TO you. But
must begin by tclling you that all this
affair is almost as mysterious TO me as
to YOU know the young lady-that is
nearly all can say by way of crafty
ing your very natural desire for knowl-
edge. She is the stcp-daughtcr of the
German gentleman from whom was
taking lessons in that language last
spring. Her name is Gertrude Stein
metz. Having seen her it will not sur
| prise you to know that | was, and still
am, passionatcly attached TO her. had
hoped to make her my wife before now,
and proceeded SO far rs to tell her so.
and to win her consent. i went tho
next day to arrange with her as to when
| might bring you to call on her, when.
instead OF being met by the lovely and
blushing girl who had the day before
promised to be my wife, Il note from her
was placed in my hand containing these
words
We meet no more IN this world, Ask no cx.
nanIa1tion nI 1arno DO not attempt to sec mS Fare
"Of course did not obey. | did ask
for explanations. did seek to sec her
again and again. Blu. all in vain.
| From that hour until tonight never
set eyes upon her; and the events of this
night--thc attempt upon her life, her
| presence here, her tcrror--are all part
of the mystery which has surrounded
.cr since | received that note, and
which is rs incomprehcnsiblc to mo rs
| to YOU"
Mrs. F0rnoy warmly pressed her sons
hand. Her sympathics, both rs Il wo-
man and mother were thoroughly
reused, and for Williams sake she de-
termincd to penetrate the mystery
But this was far moro difficult mat
tor than sho anticipated, and had not
circumstances favored her there is little
reason to suppose that she would have
ever overcome Gcrtrudcs obstinate 81
lcncc.
The girl was, however, completely
Frustrated by the nervous shock and
unable on the next day to leave her
room.
Mrs. Forncy, therefore, felt herself
justified in sending for Gcrtrudc's moth
or, who came as rapidly as the train
could bring her, for she had been quite
terrified by Gortrudc's disappearance,
and only needed chew to her where
abonts in order to fly to her. An evil
fate, she seemed - think, had ovcrtakcn
hor household, for her husbands son
had been drowned the night before, and
his dead body had just been brought
home few minutes before she received
the telegram from tho Forncys.
"Albrccht dcadw exclaimed Gertrude,
joyously. "Thcn | am released My
oath binds me no longer. Ah! do not
think me hcartlcss, Wilhelm mother; |
am only so overjoyed from the pressure
OF silent dread now removed. Albrccht
was a terrible man. do think Inc was
not in his right mind. He loved me,
and strovc to marry me, and when he
knew that | loved Wilhelm his rage was
too fearful. He made me swear n terri
bic oath never to marry while he lived
and he sworc that he would kill Will
helm If ever l spoke to him or let him
sec me.
"Oh, ! was horribly frightcncd /
could not resist his rage, his wildncss |
was sure he would kill Wilhelm, and
that only gave me strength to keep my
oath. Last night he was in fearful
rage. He threatened score of times 10
kill Wilhelm and when Mt late hour
he left tho house l followed him. Hither