The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-09-04

and the long hair streaming over the
marble bed and falling upon the dusty
floor, was of rich, lovely golden hue.
The body was attired in plain,
dark dress, and there was bright
hued shawl, all sodden with water. that
had been found wrapped about the cold
form.
Nothing by which the dead girl could
be identified had been found upon the
body-nothing.
Arthur Wynne averted his head
he could not endure the spectacle OF
that ghastly form before him; and
to think that she-his dainty darling
should lie there, exposed to the
stare of rude men, nearly drove him
mad.
All at once, as ne sJoou there, 9
strange feeling crept slowly over him
like chill. He, was not supersti-
tious man. but Arthur Wynne could
have sworn that cold hand touched
his, and light breath rufled the hail
upon his uncovered brow, while a
voice seemed to whisper in mis- ear:
arthur"
He started with sudden exclama.
ton, and, whirling fercely around,
caught Mr.. Ludlowe's arm in con.
vulsive grip.
"Ludlewer' he painted, hoarsely.
sMy God it is not Miss Lawrence's
body! It is all mistake! See! J
will prove it to you! Tie hands of the
dead woman before us are much longer,
and they are rough and toil-stained.
Ruby Lawrence had hands like snow
flakes, and the heiress of Lawrence
Park would hardly be expected to toll.
Besides, this dress is of coarser ma
terial than any that she would have
worn.
"And then, when she went away
from Lawrence Park-when she es'
caped-they told me that she had worn
a sealskin sacque (or, at least, such Q
garment had disappeared from hel
wardrobe), but there was a shawl
found upon this body! And more, J" ho
went on, excitedly, granted that
Ruby Lawrence did commit suicide,
or was thrown into the lake by parties
determined to get her out Of the way,
time enough has not yet elapsed since
her disappearance to disfgure her in
this way.
"Ludlowe, believe mel am right.
Ruby Lawrence is not dead! At all
events, this is not her body"
Mr.. Ludlowe seized Arthur Wynnes
hand in silent pressure. His keen
eyes were twinkling; he was full OF
admiration at the young detectives
sasacitv. He himself had already no.
ticed the discrepancies referred to, bu.
he wanted to see if Arthur would oh.
serve them.
"Sharp! by Jove!" muttered the
Chief, under his breath. "Wynne was
not born yesterday! He'll make his
mark yet in the detective line. I am
sure wish him all success" he added,
still speaking to himself.
But aloud he said: ;
"No,, Arthur, I do not believe thai
this is the body of Miss Lawrence. Ii
is not possible! And I do not believe
that she is dead!"
Arthur Wynne's face grew hopeful
"Nor II" he returned, emphaticall--
@and T shall hope on to the last! :.
shall devote my time, my fortune-aye.
life itself-to this one object! I shall
find Ruby Lawrence-iving or dead!
They left the gruesome place, and,
entering the carriage, were driver
away-not sorry to leave the morgue
and it's attendant horrors behind them.
Driving along crowded thorough
fare, an open carriage dashed by from
the opposite direction, drawn by a pain
of spirited black ponies. A dark, hand.
some man was seated within the car
riage-a man with a bold, dashine
beauty. Somehow, he reminded one
Of stage brigand.
At his side, among the soft cushions
of the carriage, q beautiful, dark-eyed,
golden-haired girl, in deep mourning,
the somber blackness of her attire set
ting off her transparent skin and hair to
perfection.
1t was Adele st. Cyr.
Arthur Lifted his hat in response to
her smiling greeting, but he shuddered
violently as the carriage passed rapidly
by.
It seemed horribly suggestive to
meet Adele, smiling and bland, when
they had both left the morgue, whittier
they had gone expecting to find Ruby's
body.
He groaned aloud in utter anguish
and despair at the thought of the poor
oir]'a unknown fote
@My darling! my lost darling" he
cried, in the depths of his heavy heart.
When they arrived at the police
headquarters they found note there
for Arthur, from an unknown source.
"An anonymous letter." exclaimed
the young man, contemptuously. "Yet,
Mr.. Ludlowe, the advice contained
within may be worth considering. Lis
temp
And he read the contents of the mys-
terious note-ll-spelled and poorly
wriiten-aloud to the chief:
MISTER WIN-Whiie you air surching for
evidence in the Lawrence mistry. better
keep yure eye on to Mark Allen-the dude
that goes to sea Miss Adell Lawrence. the
nu airesS Of Lawrence Park. A FRIEND.
:. Ito BE CONTINUED