The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-12-02

hauling the unfortunate Grr;, on aion- with
him. 1t was OH the following morning that
had my second interview with my dari nS.'
l found her more altered than | ha an
ticipatod The strain upon her mind had
evidently been terrible during that wee;
which she had passed in the grim so.iiuds OF
the condemed cell, with nothing, LII: !;
shameful death staring he. in the iace. How
my heart overflowcd w.5h love and sJm-
pathy, when | saw 'har, pala anl wOrE,
standing upright in the gloomy cell. await
ing me with pathetic smile upon her white
lips! 1t was lony. long lcfore l could mur-
mur even the first words of greeting.
And even then, when l had found my
voice, and when l had answered some OF
tho many questions sho addressed to ME, l
laLored under serious embarrassment. l
dared not tell her how had been engaged
during those days which had :':lssed since
we met before I had written &c her imme-
diately upon my return from the hall to let
her know that the strychnia had been dis
covered, but | did not venture to speak OF
those other discoveries for which we were
indebted to Gregson And yet l could not
leave her without some ray of hope to tighten
her miserable cell. / am afraid that, ere
quilted her side, had impaired to her
share of the agitation by which l myself
was possessed And yet could not be sorry,
when that brief interview Of mingled bliss
and agony came to IN end, to think that her
dear face no longer wore that sad look OF
pathetic apathy and resignation which had
distinguished it when we met.
1t was on my return 30 the hotel that l
found 4 tr'osram from Bielski: "Clpher dis
covered. lost important" Tho detective
evidently dill not waste words in telegraph
ing. Twas consumed with eagerness to learn
what the important news might be to when
we had now got the key.
IA gentleman to SEQ you, SIR" 1t was tho
evening of this same day, and was sitting
by myself in my room. Tho waiter held the
door open, and Dr. Branksome who must
have adopted some special means thus to
insure his admission to my apartment, en-
tered.
"Dr Branksome" said, in nstonishment.
"Yol here!"
He >miled with the grave mir that knew
so well, and, removing his glove, offered MS
hand to me- What was the magnetic lnilu-
ence which tho man exercised over all who
came in contact with him' | cannot tell.
only know that while ! cursed myself f'r
nv weakness. l di lnot refuse his outstretched
hand.
He seated himself with great composure,
and said:
~ must apologize for my untimely intru-
sion, but I think you will forgive mo when
you know the purpose of my visit. You
have seen Daisy, l understand, to-day.
have not had that privilege myself. L want
you to tell me how the poor child is.
Daisys name acted as spell to savo me
from the strange influence Of the man
"Ycs," replied, II have seen Daisy, DR..
Branksomc lut l can say nothing TO you
about her."
He archcd his eyebrows in mute surprise.
II think you carry your resentment too ta".
Iadmire it, but it i; unjust"
@Eypocrten l cried, my impetuous toni
Der nrcc more breaking down all :clf-crccted
barriers Of prudence ".Hypocrite and liar,
know you now. Why do You come to me
with your smiling face, and your simulated
tenderness for the girl whom you have male
your victim-the girl whose very lie you
have bccn ready 10 sacrifice to your devliish
plans, Go 10 somebody else, and smilo. and
smile, and play the villain with Them Don't
come to Inc. | tell you, know you
~ 'Fonton," he-suid, rising 70 his feet, "if
grirr Ia, dstempcred your imagination you
ought ut least be abe to put some check
upon your tongue when you receive gen-
tleman vino ha; como to you in spirit oil
the purcst friendship"
lau. he'd bitterly. "Frendship, purity"
cric. Don't tell you, sir. that have
found YOU tllt-that / know now for what
purposa .hia sweet girl whom you have made
your unro cious too, md whom you have
now abandoned 20 Il shameful death, was
adopted by you, given name to "hicn sho
had no right, and palmed off upon man
with whom she had no relationship l know
it all. sir, and the meaning and end OF 1t all.
Ever thing has been done Oh grand scale,
confess. Nobody thought that the magnlii-
cent Dr.. Branksomo was vulgar scoundrel,
plotting by day and night to obtain possession
of Maulcverer's millionsP
@Ah! ! see it nll!" he replied, in tones in
which there was veiled irony, that found
it very hard TO bear. II thought that it was
Grief for Daisy that had turnel your brain.
SEQ now that you have been listening to the
ISLANDERS of convicted thief, discharged
servant. n would-be assassin, and that, in
UucNCcl DI Ills ulile Aop!So, JoA piO
inclined to mourn rather Mr.. Maulevcrcrs
money than the fate OF his nieco. II that be
so, Mr.. Fentop, l must wish you good even
ing. | can bar Il great deal for Daisy's
sake, but l decline TO keep any terms with
man who really believes such ISLANDERS as
those which Grcgson has impaired to you"
He turned to 60 A sudden thought struck
ne. l went forward and laid my hand upon
his arm.
"Dr Branksomo," l said, trying to keep
down the surging emotion which seemed TO
stfc my ui;eranc2, Il may have Wrongcd
YOU don't know. All know is that you
arc wonderful man. and that, i'll spite of
the hi'leous crimes OF which cannot help
feeling that you are guilty, / am drawn
towards yon in way that cannot explain,
even 10 myself VIII you hear ne when L
cry to you for mercy for Daisy See, vii!
grovel at your feet if you will but promise
to save her! Take all the accurscd money
that Mnulcvnrcr possessed do with it what
you WI, bat save her! As you hope for
etern"l happiness Hereafter, rs you dread
the punishment which sooner or later falls
1t