The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-08-19

position saved us. just as the pistol was
discharged Intellectually, the entire bal
cony and its supports went down with q
crash, carrying him along with it. The
rest explains itself.
One of the servants now bent over the
fallen man, 81. ghtly raising the body. 1t
Was this servant, the coachR:sn, who next
spoke.
THE gentleman is quite dead" said
he, rising. In addition to this awful
wound, the neck was broken by the fall. ="
Adele had also risen while Noel was
speaking. Her face was frightfully set
and white; her lamentations had ceased;
her eyes wandered over the lookers-on-
even over Noel and the horrifed Gwendo-
line at his side-with q weary, dazed ex-
preston.
iani1est that she was wholly,
miserably engrossed with the bereaye-
ment she had sustained in Boncourt's
death, to the exclusion of every other
thought, feeling and recollection.
Suddenly the small voice of Dip called
out, boy like: "Oh, he must have been
a-climbin' into the balcony away up yon-
der, Just as was gettin' in by the side
door, and yet never set eyes on him"
The chipping little voice seemed to
electrify Adele and startle her into sud.
den frenzy.
wretch! Impish atoml" she screamed,
springing upon and clutching the lad
like tigress. But for your treachery
this could not have happened!"
The boy cried out, and struggled 80
hard that q portion of his upper clothing
was torn away from one Of his shoulders,
leaving it bare; but she, nevertheless, re-
tanned her clutch with one hand, while
with the other she snatched small dag.
ger from her bosom, and fourished it
over him with blazing eyes.
AL your doing! all your doingl' she
cried, gnsshing her teeth. You shall
join him in the ruin and death you have
brought about. "
'Forbear!" shouted the horrifed voice
of Jasper, who was also in the garden,
and who sprang forward, clutching her
frenzied arm. In the name of nature,
forbear! Adele-Adele Rollingstone, it
isyour own child whose life you threaten"
1T is the truth" solemnly exclaimed
another rerson, coming forward.
1t was the old woman, Mrs. Beane. She
appeared to have only just joined the
group, and her wild face was cruelty
bruised, as though by recent blow, but
she was, Notwithstanding, unwontedly
calm and self-possessed.
With the lad still in her grasp, but her
other hand nervously dropping its weapon
at her side, Adele was now standing up
right in the shaft of light from the Office
window, looking at both her and Jasper
with terribly startled expression.
1T is true, repeated Mrs.. Beane, with
increased solemnity. Seel" And she
pointed to peculiar mark on the lads
shoulder, which had been stripped bare.
HThere is the birth-mark, which you cam
not but recognize.
Il was the childs nurse in San Francis
cg. stole him from you years and years
ago, inrevenge for your having turned my
foolish husbands head with yonr reckless
witcheries. cast him upon the world as
nameless waif, Of his history since I
ssh0& nothing.
Jasper Marlowe, then bearing the name
of Hob Bently, bro 'ght the lad here siI
days ago; he sought me out to establish
the child's identity, in order to restore
him to you. Boncourt having been his
friend. But the Infamous plotting Of
your brother and yourself, together with
my unwillingness to assist in benettlng
you, has deferred the restoration of the
boy unto this hour. In view of your
present calamities, your abject over
throw, my lifelong wrath is appeased.
Woman, take back your child! You de-
serve not the repsrstion that is made you;
hat It is aRa made WITH Rfs m Sousssd sSd n y9s
train his precocity into those paths Of
truth and goodness which your wild steps
have fhna Far ehunnedl"
Having pronounced these words in
hurried but impressive tones, the strange
old woman stalked away, and was lost in
the gloom.
But before she had finished, Adele was
upon her knees, weepingly pressing the
astonished boy in her arms.
At signal from Jasper, the men ser
wants lifted the body Of Boncourt from
the ground. They were carrying it toward
the porch, when Adele, still holding her
child close, hastily arose and arrested the
movement.
Not in there-not in there!" she
hoarsely whispered; carry it to Jasmine
Lodge. and I will compensate you"
They obeyed her.
AS she heard them opening the iron
gate, she drew Dip closely to her side,
holding his hand hard, and moved in the
same direction.
But Noel intercepted her. He had, In
great measure, recovered from his agi-
tation, and WAS now controlled by nothing
but deep commiserstion for the stricken
woman.
-Madame-Adele-w Let me at
least accompany You as far as the Lodge,
he sail, with deep emotion.
Sht waved him off. bnt suddenly
turned, impulsively holding out her
hands.
Il am unworthy Of your pity, NOEL
am even not in need of it now" she muir
mured, with teasful and significant
glance down at her boy. But, as you
gradually forget me in nobler and wor-
thier affection, will ycu not also try to
forever"
With all my heart!" was the generous
answer, and be touched her hand.
She gave him humble, grateful look,
lowered her eyes without looking toward
Gwendoline. and then passed slowly from
view, leading her boy by the hand
lTo BE CONTINUED
MORE than one brave fellow VIII go