The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-10-23
IA Mad MARRIAGE;
The Heiress of. Law.
renee Park.
4 STORY OF ABSORBING INTEREST.
BY MRS. e. q. COLLINS.
CHAPTER XVIII.

1t was then that Arthur Wynne
cursed his fatal mistake, as he lay
upon the narrow iron bed, upon which
he had been thrown. His thoughts
went back, like lightning, to the hour
when he had first accepted Gabrielle's
invitation to call at Lawrence Park.
"What fool have been!" he ejacu-
lated, as the full realization of the situ-
alton came home to his heart. II was,
mad enough to think that I mightlearn
the secret of Ruby's whereabouts by,
going to Lawrence Park.
"Ah, we'll, after all, I would never
have known what little I have learned
had not gone there. And neither would
I have been here" he added, ruefully.
II wonder where I am? What place
this is?"
Even as these thoughts flashed
through his brain, the door of the cell
was unlocked and keeper appeared.
A rough, good-natured fellow-not a
bad sort after all. He glanced furtively
into Arthur's face.
"Tell me where I am, will you not,
my good fellow?" asked the detective.
"To be sure, SIR" with another fur.
tive glance into the pale face); "you
are at Beechwood, and this place is
Farmenti's Retreat for the Insane"
Arthur arose and came to the mans
side.
"What will you take to help me out
OF here?" he asked. II am rich man;
my name is Wynne-Arthur Wynne-
and I will pay you handsomely"
The man stared into his face.
Surely, there was nothing like insanity
in that low, eager tone, or the clear,
dark eyes bent upon his face.
II knew it all the time" he muttered
to himself. Then aloud:
".Yes, sir; will help you all can.
Only don't want to get into any
trouble. I'm poor man, with o large
family to support, and"
"You shall get into no trouble that
money can help you out Of" intervened
Arthur, hastily. II will attend to that.
Only help me-and stay! tell me, one
thing! Is there a young lady confined
here"
Heaps of them, sir," interrupted
the man, dryly.
II suppose so! Well, this is a very
beautiful girl of eighteen, with golden
hair and deep-blue eyes. Her name
is"
"St. Cyr," interrupted the man again.
"Oh, yes! 1 know who you mean!
She came late at night, or rather early
in the morning about one o'clock.
MI. Mark Alleyne brought her here" :"
"Ah, hal" cried Arthur to himself.
"I am on the trail. All, we'll, it is
worth while being shut up here fo,
this"
The man went on:
"You see, sir, am telling you all I
know, because for long time I've
been dissatisfied here. I'm tired Of
being old Farmenti's slave, to come
and go. and do his dirty work. at his
command. And Bill West, my brother
in-law, who works here, too, is just as
sick of it as I am. He'd do anything
to get out e-s the whole business, but
I'll tell ycu the truth. Old Farmenti
is not the sort of man one would choose
for ON enemy! Besides, We have to
make living!"
Il will pay you and your brother-in-
law we'll; and I will see that you both
obtain employment elsewhere-only
help mel" cried Arthur, eagerly.
"You will"
He stopped short, and grave look
overspread his face followed by a
startled expression.
through the long corridor outside
the cell came the sound of a piercing
shrek.
GOOD Lord preserve us! He's
torturing the poor young lady again."
painted the keeper.
What young lady? OF whom are
YOU speaking?" demanded Arthur,
wildly.
Miss st. CYr! /"
But he never finished.
Arthur had OWNED intuitively that
Ruby had been placed in the retreat
under the name of st. Cyr. and with .
single bound he sprang to the door OF