The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-14

So (SQo Wue0leu dUOut, WILL tIstSlC
gesture) "gentlemen, I, Gilbert Law
rence's widow, do make this charge,
Ruby Lawrence murdered her own
father! Officer, demand her arrest!'
CHAPTER VII.
MAGGIE wILLErT TELLS HER STORY.
Down over that sumptuous room,
with its ghastly spectacle, the shadow
of death fell like darksome pail.
Who could speak-who could find
words to utter at such time, in the
face of this unlocked for, awful accusa-
ton?
Utterly overcome with horror and
wordless indignation, Arthur Wynne
stood glaring into the pale, triumphant
face of his accuser.
Stunned and bewildered, poor Ruby
did not realize the full force of the
charge-did not, could not comprehend
the situation. .. ... ... g..
She was kneeling at her fathers side,
her wide open eyes full of blank hor-
ror, riveted upon the white, still face
before her, while one cold hand
smoothed the hair gently back from
his marble brow.
MIR. Ludlowe was the first to break
the awful, deathlike silence of the
room.
@This is remarkable, a fearful accu-
zation, madam!" the Chief of Police
began, his inscrutable eyes upon Ga
brielle's impassive face. "Let us hope
that you do not fully comprehend the
Importance of the charge that you have
brought against this young lady. It
is"
"It is monstrousl It is horrible!"
thundered Arthur Wynne, darting for
ward, pale to the very lips. "An
awful charge to be preferred against
an innocent, guileless girl!
"But T assure you, madam" he went
on, trying hard to speak calmly, shat
it will take more than your simple as
sertion to turn suspicion of 30 dreadful
a crime upon lady in Miss Lawrence's
position!
"Oficerw turning to the officer, who
stood eagerly watching the strange
scene-"this woman is mad. I demand
her arrest; the city authorities will
take charge of her; she is a dangerous
lunatic!"
"Aye; but there is method in my
madness, Arthur Wynne!" cried Ga
brielle, mockingly, surveying him with
sweeping bow.
Then, checking herself at his glance
of surprise:
II have heard of you, you see, and [
have heard no good of you! You wish
proof of the truth of my assertion-as
though any one would bring such q
charge without proof! You shall have
it! Listen!
yesterday I saw Gilbert Lawrence
and demanded to be acknowledged as
his wife. and that my daughter be
placed in her proper position, as his
legitimate child.
"He would not consent, because of
his foolish affection for that girl yon-
der (the little serpent), to give my
child and myself the rightful position
in the eyes of the world, while he lived; !;
but he agreed to arrange our affairs so
that we would have our rights when he
was dead.
"You see that sheet of paper upon
the table yonder-the last words his
hands ever traced-what is written
thereon?
"'Gabrielle, have made my will in
favor Of
"Aad that is all! Gentlemen, he was
about to say, in favor of yourself and
child!' The will was made-I have no
doubt of that! Gentlemen, I demand
to see i'll"
Chief Ludlowe looked grave.
"There has been no will found" he
returned, slowly. "Yonder paper is
ALL"
She smiled, sardonically.
II know it; Twas prepared for that"
she cried, eagerly.
"The will is missing, and why? Be-
cause it has been destroyed by Ruby
Lawrence, that white-faced, cringing
little hvpoerite yonder. Now. sirs,. I
VIII tell my story, ana at any time Will
repeat it under oath.
Last night, after Miss Ruby Law
renee had returned from the theater,
her father summoned her into the IL
brary, where he had spent the entire
evening. How do I know? For the
best of reasons. I was there myself!'
There was o low murmur of aston
ishment from the lips of the Chief OF
Police.
Gabrielle continued:
IT called here last evening, shortly
after dark. Gilbert Lawrence himself
admitted me; therefore the servants
are not cognizant of the visit. He
begged like dog to be forgiven for
the wrong that he had done ne, and
agreed to make his will in my favor at
once; an Geographic will, which would
preclude the necessity of calling in a
lawyer, and making the affair known to
o third party.
"That will was to have been placed
in my possession this morning, but,
instead, T was Mortified to hear of this
awful tragedy, and I hastened here to
tell all, and denounce the murderess
yonder!
GAS I have already said," continued
Gabrielle, with comprehensive glance
around the room-athat girl, Ruby
Lawrence, entered the library after hel
E l. l.. ~ so~h