The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-07

must leave no stone unturned, that We
may discover how and by whose hand
your father died!"
She started to her feet, as with an
electric shock. Into the white, sci
face, look of resolution crept slowly
How, and by whose hand-he died?
she repeated, mechanically. "That is
what-I-must know! DR.. Hall,
shall not leave this room! Surely, il
is nay place TOTO know!"
Sc she was permitted to remain, anc
the coroner commenced his sad task
It was a strange affair, shrouded il
mystery. The post mortem resulted
in the verdict that Deceased came to
his death by o wound in the region oi
the heart. inflicted by sharp weapon
in the hands of a person or persons un'
known"
But, there was no trace of any
weapon to be found in the room, OF
upon the premises without Nc
clew to the presence of any intruder
All at once, Mrs. Chillingworth's eyes
fell upon spray of purple pansies ly.
ing upon the velvet carpet at her feet,
near where the dead man lay. Dr.
Hall stopped and picked them up.
"They must have fallen from Ruby's
bouquet last night" observed Mrs
Chillingworth. "She was in here with
her father!" -
eyes. I was here with papa!" said
Ruby, mechanically; "but, Aunt Clar-
ice, I did not have any flowers with
me! Poor papa! he looked so white
and worn! And-I fancied that l
heard some one speaking to him before
I entered the rooml" she added, as
though she were speaking to herself.
"Miss Lawrence!"
She glanced up with start, to find
Arthur Wynne standing at her side.
And SO they had met again. Met, with
this awful, this hideous shadow resting
between that time and now! He bowed
lowly.
"Dear Miss Lawrence!" he began, in
a low, panied tone, pardon me! ]
would not have dared to intrude at this
dreadful time, but have something to
say to you! ,
"You are probably not aware that l
have been by profession a private de!
tective officer. Ino longer work at my
profession, because I have had for
tune left me, which occupies my asten-
ton to the exclusion of other objects.
I have therefore retired from active
service, but wish to offer my assist
ance in this horrible trouble.
"Henceforth my time, talents, and
professional skill shall be devoted to
this object, the unmasking of the
villain who has done this foul deed; the
exposure and punishment Of the wretch
who is guilty of this dastardly crime !!
Miss Lawrence, will you allow me to
help you?"
She lifted her eyes to his face with q
look of terror, and q strange tremor
passed over her slight frame. Then
She bowed her golden head.
II accept your offer gratefully, Mr.,
Wynne!" She faltered. 81 have no other
hope in life but to track my fathers
murderer down to justice! I have
nothing else to live for, now.
Her voice faltered, and broke into ST.
lence. Her slight form swayed like o
lily in the wind. Mrs. Chiliingworih
sprang to her side and put her arm
about the trembling figure.
Then, with DR.. Halls assistance, she
led Ruby slowly from the room, and up
stairs to her own chamber.
As they reached the head of the stair.
case they heard the door of Ruby'a
chamber open and close hurriedly, and
a rustling noise followed, like some
one fastening down the corridor, cage,
to get out of sght. But, when the
corridor was reached, there Was no one
there.
Once in her own room, Ruby tainted
quietly away.
While DR.. Hall fastened down stairs
for restoratives, Mrs. Chillingworth be-
gan to chafe the girls slender wrists,
and bathe the cold white brow.
All at once her eyes fell upon some
thing which made her start with on
ejaculation of surprise. The dress
which Ruby had worn to the theater
the night before. It had been flung
across a satin chair, and its violet vel
vet folds swept over the carpet. And,
upon the Kirt of the costly robe, some
thing dark-a hideous stain.
Mrs. Chillingworth dropped tie cold
white hand that she hold, and flew to
the spot.
She stopped and examined the stain,
falling back with groan of horror. as
she saw that it was blood-half con-
gealed-upon the velvet skirt. And,
upon the floor beneath the chair, q
point lace handkerchief literally soaked
in fresh blood-the very one she had
seen in Ruby's hand last night at the
theater. What did it mean?
Trembling in every limb, Mrs. Chill
ingworth carefully lifted the dainty
web of lace-trimmed muslin. In one
corner the name of Ruby Lawrence in
full was daintily marked.
Entirely overcome by this strange
occurrence, Mrs. Chillingworth stood,
pallid and half swooning. when the
sound of DR.. Halls footsteps returning
to the room fell upon her ears. She
turned swiftly, and rolling the velvet
dress and blood-stained handkerchief
up together into ball she opened the
door of the wardrobe, thrust the bun.
die within, and closed and secured the
wardrobe door, just as the physician
made his appearance.
A little later Ruby Lawrence came
back to life once more, back to exist
ence, which, in the long, barren future,
she was destined to curse.
All, poor Ruby! better for her had
she died then and there!