The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-24
CHAPTER XVI.


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CHAPTER XVI.
MY WIFE AND MY FRIEND.
That am not endowed with a SUPER
abundance of GOODNESS and patience the
reader, doubtless, has already discovered;
but also that the position in which ]
found myself was trying one cannot be
denied. Barely touching the supper that
had been brought for me, I paced the
little room in a fever Of impstience un.
til Tom returned. The moment he came
I was struck by the change in his e1-
pressive face. There was an ominous
tightening about the corners Of his
mouth, and an evident desire to avoid
looking at me.
I sat down again beside the fire; he
also dropped into the chair he had occu-
pied before.
"Now, sir, I can 60 on with my story.
But, after all, there is not much more to
tell. Let me see. Where was II"
He spoke with some embarrassment,
quite at variance with his manner before
he left the room. 7 was silent. would
not assist him by word or look. That
something had occurred TO alter his first
determination of telling me the whole
truth I felt convinced. Possibly the
strong. emotion I had shown was the
cause. I would manifest less interest;
by this means perhaps might learn most.
He resumed:
@The poor squire was carried home.
He only recovered consciousness on hour
or SO before he died. And what made
matters the more painful, you see, sir,
was this-he knew very we'll it was that
kick from his daughters horse that had
done for him. Immediately after the
funeral, Mrs. Hargreave and her STEP
daughter left the Park; everything about
the place was sold, and I've been told the
ladies went travelling on the Continent.
rs that all?" asked.
We'll, yes, sir, that's about all"
You had, in point of fact, finished the
story before you left the room?"
IF there is anything more you would
like to know that I can tell you, I'll do 80,
sir" Clearly the answer was evasive.
You said that Miss Hargreave rode on.
Would you mind explaining what you
meant more fully?" inquired.
II said she rode on, and that all the
field could testify to it. suppose the ex-
citement Of finding herself on horeback
once more caused her to lose her head. I
can give no further explanation on that
point, sir. Is there anything more you'd
like to know?"
What had come over the man knew
not, but felt it would be useless topursue
the subject. Iwould try him on another
track.
"Doyou know the name of Gasco;gne?"
I asked, abruptly.
har
considering. mo, there's never been any
edge, and I've been in this part over six
years now"
you never heard of Dr.. Gascoi gne,
then?"
No, SIR"
when he died?"
DIR. Wilson, from c.; and a great
London doctor came down--when. it was
too late.
where is Dr.. Wilson now? Posi-
bly, could hear of Gascoigne through
him"
Hes dead, sir.
Did he attend Miss Hargreave2 You
see I'm taking you at your word, and ask
ing plenty of questions.
IF Miss Hargreave needed doctor, he
would attend her, naturally, as he was,
you may say, the family doctor. But the
young lady was never i'll enough to re-
quire medical attendance. She'd one of
the grandest constitutions going"
But after that terrible tragedy, for in
stance, was she not ill? Did no medical
man attend her on that occasion?" in
quired. vividly recalling to mind what
Mrs. Hargreave had told me of her daugh-
ter's attack of brain fever, of the shock
her nerves had undergone, of the doctors
advice concerning her.
You give me credit for more knowl-
edge than possess, Sir, answered Little.
Il told you Mrs. Hargreave and her step.
daughter left the Park Immediately after
the funeral. I wonder what's got them
now?" he said, looking at me keenly.
Involuntarily winced, feeling that the
tables were being turned on me.
rose and tried to laugh.
Evidently your too graphically told
tale has had depressing effect" I said.
:: IN !. 20 outside now and try to walk
Alone and in the darkness I would
think over what had just heard. Alone
and in darkness! How truly did those
words describe my own condition!
It was evident there was no further in.
formation to be gathered from the ex-
huntsman. In point of fact, perhaps
there was no more to learn. God knowr
it was enough! But even then, as I
tramped along the unknown road that
starless night, my passion had somewhat
cooled, and felt I might have pitied
George had it not been for those damn
ing words Of Little's, beneath which such
subtle meaning lurked-"Miss Hargreave,
sir, rode on" Good Godl would tha
tones OF his voice, the expression of his
face as he uttered them. ever cease to
haunt me?
This, then, was the story which, few
seasons ago, had been the talk Of the
sporting world!
When a certain Mr.. and Mrs. Dudley
took up their abode in far-off Northshire,
and the huntingmen, who were so cordial
with Jack Dudley in the field, wished
their wives and mothers to call upon his
wife, they inquired first, who WAS she?"
Lester Hargreave's daughter"
Whv oyarv NJ r III in tho kincdorn