The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-11-25

| "a power Of attorney! Monstrous! I'm
possible! She would never have signed such
document without consulting me-"
"Dr Brenksome," said, eve viii not
handy words. if you please. hold this
power of attorney. and thank God that
do so; and now am going into this house to
look for, and believe to find, the proofs OF
the innocence of the girl whom you pro
fessed to shield and lett to die"
"My dear fellow" retorted Branksomc,
with Just the suspicion of sneer in bis
tones, "why will you be always so melodra-
matics Ii you had told mo at first what
your object was, you would not have needed
any power Of attorney to get admittance to
this home. By ell means enter and well
| Gomez
He threw open the door in front of which
we had been standing, and, bowling politely,
waited till We had preceded him.
In the hall turned and said, u have come
here, Dr. Branksome, to make general
search through tho house; and although as
Miss Stanclitfe's legally appointed represen-
tatire, can take any course please, have
no objection to your accompanying me III
that search"
HNIy scol sir" he reto-ted, u think you
must really excuse me. You have not come
here in n very friendly fashion this after
noon, and you can hardly be surprised II,
under he circumstances, conceive that it
may lie more satisfactory to yourself, as it
certainly vii e to me, that you should so
about your work in your own way. At the
same TINA. whenever you wish TO" luncheon
you will lind i, on tho table, and l shall be
happy t. jcii: you. Of course, rs Miss STAN
clitfes representative, you need have no feel.
ing of delicacy about making your wishes in
that matter known"
His perfect GOODNESS and comroSurc had
their fF..ct upon me, and that lightning
| fash III which had seen him for IN instant
as villain OF colossal in:quity, faded more
and more completely from my memory.
But lost no time in beginning my search.
| Mary Taylor, Daisy's maid, was summoned
and came quickly, as did Mrs. Cawthornc,
who had returned Lrok"n-hearted to the
hall at the close of the trial. soon ex-
planned to the girl that what we wanted to
sc was the door leading to the private
stairca>r She locke somewhat confused
when told her this; probably she recoll 'cted
| the las; occasion on which she had herself
made uSe of that door.
we IOunu lQaU llit uOOI WIS III Oile W tAo
paneled recesses of the drawing room corri-
dor 1t had no handle, and any one might
have passed it a hundred times without per
ceiving its existence. Taylor pressed the
door in the middle, and it slowly opened, re-
vealing..a 81 arcase, narrow, dirty and dusty,
beyond.
IN. Ers;,naad," I said "you represent
| the law, IN leave it to you to make The
fiji st attempt 10 verify tho statement which
| Miss S;ancliira has made to mo. "
"Brins n li:ht h"re," said the officer; and
one of the many servants, who We're watch
ing us in wonder dartcd into the adjoining
room, and quickly rcappcared with lighted
wax candle. Taking this in his hand, East
meai passed through the door. could see
him moving the camille to and fro, and then
he uttered slight exclamation and closed
the door upon us. Immediately aft4rward
he opene, it and came cut into the corridor,
begrmci with dust and cobwcbs, but wear
ing an air of triumph on his face ,
81 have found this on the narrow ledge or
shelf above the door inside" he said.
He held out to me, as he spoke, q small
parcel wrapped in paper that had once been
VIII te. se.zel it with feverish eagorness.
Pasted ,pon it was label, bearing IN writ
inr the I'd :ress: Miss Stancliffe, Great Lor-
ton Hail." and in print the word "Poison" in
large letters, and the name and address Of
Smrkr, the Little Lorton chemist. The
parcel WAS sealed. and we saw that the seal
| bore Smirke's name