The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-21
A mad MARRIAGE:
The Heipess of Law.
renee Park.
4 STORY OF ABSORBING INTEREST.
BY MRS. E. b. COLLINS.
CHAPTER VIII.


DEAD!
Slowly, painfully, Ruby staggered to
her feet and moved feebly to Arthur
Wynne's side. She laid her hand upon
his arm, and lifted her haggard face.
Mr.. Wynne," she faltered, "please
explain! Lido not understand
all this"
The officer strode forward, and draw.
ing paper from his pocket, began to
read aloud in slow, monotonoas tone,
9 warrant for tine arrest of Ruby Law
fence.
Slowly, slowly the awful words came
home to the poor girls bleeding heart,
stabbing it with mortal pang. And
Ruby Lawrence knew at last-the full
measure of her woe-her awful doom.
With o shrek that echoed through
the silent house-a wild, mad, heart
rending cry, which they who heard it
would carry with them to the grave
she tottered toward door, then, reel
ing little, she fell to the floor like one
dead.
With single bound, Arthur Wynne
reached her side, and lifted the slight
form in his arms. The officer sprang
across the threshold, as though to bar
his progress, but Arthur Wynne raised
his right arm with a gesture of defiance.
aBack!" he shouted. Dare to lay
finger upon this poor girl, and I will
take your life! You shall never arrest
Ruby Lawrence; never, save over my
dead body! You may kill me, but you
shall never touch harp
Awed in spite of himself by that
stern, denunciatory voice, by the look
upon Arthur Wynne's face, which made
the hearts of his listeners stand still,
the officer drew back.
The young detective bore the uncon-
scious girl from the room, and upstairs
to her own room, whittier Mrs. Chill
lingworth led the way, and was followed
at respectful distance by the police
officer.
eff you please. ma'am," he ventured
to Mrs. Chillingwcrth, as the door OF
Ruby's chamber was reached, II shall
have to search the young lady's room"
"At your peril" Arthur Wynne
was beginning; but he checked him
self.
After all, what would he gain by dis
putting the right of the officer to do his
duty. And of course nothing suspicious
would be found, and then there would
be no ground for maintaining this alb
surd charge.
"Go on!" he said, hoarsely. "Search
the room, if you wish. You will have
your trouble for your pains; and, be-
ieve me, you will live to regret this
day"
sMr. WynneW the officers tone was
very respectful, and he kept at a reason.
able distance, @you know-a frst-class
detective like you-that an officers bus.
mess is to do his duty and obey his su.
periors."
sYou are right" returned Arthur,
*and it is wrong in me to make opposi-
hon. Proceed with your search, and
then you will be convinced. My dear
Mrs. Chillingwortb, are you going to
faint?"
For Clarice ChiDingworth had sunk
intoa seat, pale as a lily,and trembling
like leaf.
She shook her head and tried to force
q smile. , ,..
at is nothing" she said, calmly.
But, oh, the mad throbbing of Clarice
Chillingworth's heart, as it beat be-
meath her silken bodice! An awful hor-
ror crept over her. 1t seemed as if she
must die.
Chief Ludlowe and the others, with
Gabrielle at their head, had followed
the small procession up the stairs to
Ruby's chamber.
Dr.. Hall was trying to restore the
poor girl to consciousness. The others
stood about the room, and the officer
made straight for the wardrobe.
It was locked and the key gone.
Mrs. Chillingworth, remembering
what was in the wardrobe, had taken
the precaution to remove the key; but
of course the incident was destined to
initiate against poor Ruby.
aDoor locked! Ahem!" commented
the officer, grimly. Then he drew
forth a skeleton key. and a moment
later the wardrobe door stood open.
Another moment, and the Mortified
group were bending over an open bun.
die. A costly blue-velvet dress. all
covered with hideous patches Of GRIM
son blood, and the blood-soaked hand
kerchief which bore the name of Ruby
Lawrence.
Chief tudlowe fell back, witha gasp
ing cry of horror. The officer looked
complacent.
at don't always do to trust a pretty
face. and swear it's innocent, just be-
cause it's pretty" observed the officer,
Handsome is that handsome does,
and I'm blessed if this don't look bad
lmissy!"
He came to sudden stop, and bit
his lip behind its grizzled mustache,
and thrust his hand into the pocket of
the blue-velvet dress.
There was moments CHASTITY pause
of silence, and then he drew forth
ldoor-key! The key to the library
ldoor-the very kew that MAGGIE vii
lett had seen Ruby slip into her
pocket.
<"Humph!" was the officers only COM
unent, as he thrust his hand into the
aperture once more. Another pause
o pause Of silence 80 intense that you
could hear the heart-beats of the
group assembled within that pretty
Chamber. Then once more he drew his
hand forth.
A low groan of horror-execration--
passed around the group, A glittering,
silvery dagger, marked here and there