The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-04
CHAPTER Nv.

Il will not answer that question" said
a woman's voice, Mrs. Sarsfeld's.
Have not right to ask it," said her
companion, whom recognized as Cap
tain Fawcett.
NO; I deny it. owe explanation to
no one except my husband.
Poor man! It is something new to
hear you acknowledge your allegiance to
him"
4 have never forgotten it. My con-
science is perfectly clear, and you
know it.
Il do not; if so, why did find you at
the door of No. SO? tell you must and
will know"
There was no answer.
Anna, why won't you tell me? Don't
you see what your silence implies?"
Still no answer.
Anna, Iimplore you, by the memory OF
all that has passed between US, by our
ld-friendship, our old-love!"
"Faugh!"-this had aroused her-"dont
talk to me of love; keep that for your
latest fancy, my young sister. I know
too we'll the hollowness OF your profess
sions."
you should not say that, Anna. Was
it nv fault that we did not come together
years ago, when I first knew you? Did
not offer myself, such as I was? A poor
subaltern. perhaps, but I loved you
truly. You preferred richer parti!"
And you are retaliating now. 1t is my
sisters fortune tEat attracts you to her;
know that"
You are wrong. I have the most pro-
found admiration for Miss Bertram her.
self. I do not love her, perhaps, as I did
you"
Would to heaven I had never met you
again!" cried Mrs. Sarsfeld, bitterly.
Until this morning I should have been
sorry to re-echo that wish. Now. after
what has occurred, am disposed to agree
with you"
He was evidently taunting her, but with
what2 The m urder2 Or merely IN intrigue
with the murdered man?
Listen, Captain Fawcett!"-she had
turned on him sharply-"you ask me what
took me to No. 80. Will you tell me what
took you there?"
II followed you"
That is lot true. went from this room,
which is quite close. No one was about at
the time"
Il was watching you"
Il don't believe it. 1t was something
far worse that drew you tnither.'
How dare you! That speech covers OF
accusation I will not tolerate"
You hated him; you were jealous; yod
fancied-"
Silence! tell me what want to know.
Why did l find you just now at the door
of No. 99?"
Curiosity took me-a morbid ba, ire
sistible desire to know what was going
on"
1T is clever excuse, but it will not
do. Was it mere curiosity, too, that took
you there this morning between and Z?
Hardly that. No one then knew that the
man was dead"
Il do not understand YOU" was the
cool, sslf-possessed reply. What new
suspicion is this?"
will you deny that You passed my
window this morning early-at the time
say?"
Most certainly"
II saw you plainly.
1T is not so; it's lie!-
The denial was SO fiat that it seemed to
Btagger her interlocutor.
But tell you recognized you. You
were in loose blue wrapper. could not
! be mistaken.
You were mistaken, completely" said
a new voice, the sound Of which startled
me and set my heart beating violently.
1T was my dress you saw"
Clara"
IN SIS Bertram. Impossible!"
These two ordinations were the last
words I heard. knew from the voice
that Mise Bertram had entered the Sit
ting-room. She had, therefore, left her
own room, which, with the intermediate
room. her sisters bedroom. was probably
en- suite with tnat in which The conVersa-
tion I had jnst overheard had taken
place.
The coast was now clear. had played
the eavesdropper more than liked, and I
had no longer any hesitation as to retrac-
ing my steps. -.
Hurrying back. once more arrived at
the window of Miss Bertrams sitting
room. 1t was still open. Three steps
would take me across the loom and out
into the corridor. Why not accept the
easy method of escape thus offered?
| I decided, on the spur Of the moment,
and iumped lightly into the room. Hur-