The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-12-02

now II happeneu. . nau reaSoho foI
wishing to speak to him." she shuddered.
and I know that the pronoun referred to
the murdered man. You must not seek
to know those reasons. but they were
| paramount and important, and I rose
early, slipping out Of our own room-mv
husband was still asleep-and going into
my sisters. The two rooms communi-
cate, YOU know"
did know, but I did not tell her SO.
CLARA, too. was asleep. SO l took her
| dressing-gown. 1t was of blue flannel,
for I was going out into the open air"
Captain Fawcett was right then. He
had seen her pass his window in her blue
peignoir.
Il put on the wrap before Clara's look
ing-glass, and seeing my hair was all
unt,dy 1 twisted it up n fastened it
with one of her pins"
THE one, in fact, that was foundp"
NO doubt, although I was never con-
scious that I had dropped it."
And your sister knew nothing OF all
this?"
"How could shea I tell you she YVES
asleep"
And no n saw you 60 out on the
balcony and along it?"
Il was not sure, but I fancied Captain
Fawcett did. I did not see him, nor did
he speak to ne, but his window Was wide
open as I passed"
well, you got to No. 99?"
AS far as the window-yes, and there I
looked in"
you saw it. I suppose-the body of the
dead man?"
1T caught my eye directly; my attention
was riveted to it. I turned, and wa
abont to rush back to my room to shut
out the horror of this awful sight, when I
heard a movement in Captain Fawcett's
room. I believed he had seen me pass and
would interrupt my retreat. Anything
rather than that"
Even to facing the corpse?'
Horrible as was the alternative, I pre-
ferred it, and opening the window Of No.
80 I stepped into the room, ran across 1t
and escaped from the terrible place."
And then you returned to your own
room?"
Not exactly" She hesitated.
You found the door bolted on the in
slider"
Yes; 30 I went to my sisters"
But that was bolted, too"
Il knocked gently" She spoke with
manifest reluctance, but was unable, as !
thought, to escape my question.
And your sister opened it2" I suggest
ed, still lifting her" on.
yes; she was now awake" she fall
tered.
you will not let them harm Clara,
will your" she began. Il have been frank
truth"
Not quite all the truth, unless I can
persuade you to tell me what took you to
No. 49,"
The terrified look returned intensified
to her white face.
No, no; you must not ask me; you
have no right to ask me. I dare not,
must not tell you. It would endanger-"
I waited, hoping that some hint might
escape her unconsciously.
What am I saying2" she corrected her,
self. wildly. please do not press me
about this. Leave me, I implore you.
I b I'VE said enough to %exonerate Clara
completely, but I can tell you nothing
more. I went-with no evil intentions, ]
declare; but beyond that I will not speak"
Suppose they put you into the wit
ness-box. You know the inquest is only
adjourned? It has still to find its YER
dict?"
They would not get a syllable out Of
me, nor would my evidence be worth
much if they did"
1t slipped out Internationally, this last
phrase, I felt sure, from the way she bit
her lip, and this perhaps especially drew
my attention to it. I made no remark al
the time, only noting this sign of inward
dissatisfaction, resolving to cogitate
upon it by and by. There was much food
f%orthouehtin what I had heard from Mrs.
Sarsfeld, and I was glad enough to leave
her. as she more and more earnestly en-
treated me to do. So with few words Of
apology I went down stairs.