The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-09-21

Cora Elliston aroused herself ana
showed suddenly increasing interest.
Go on" she said, eagerly.
"Ah! thought I should interest you
before I had finished" said the private
secretary. little dryly.
Permit me to ASSURE you have been
deeply interested all along" rejolned the
lady. Now please 90 on"
These ladies'" Slyme continued, went
out to the train at about the same time
Mrs. Cleveland left the room, and I fol-
lowed closed after them.
They found the right car first, and had
taken their places before our friend came
in, and she, after moments hesitation,
sat down two seats back of them, while
/, not to lose sight of her, took up my
station directly opposite.
We'll, as you have doubtless learned
before this, some great man was about to
die in New Haven, or further east, and
as he wanted his relatives and friends
about him, special train started with a
number of them from this city.
1T was delayed by some means near
Greenwich, and the fact was not tele-
graphed back, as it should have been; SO.
directly after rounding q curve, We
plunged into it full tilt, and our cars were
ielescoped, shattered. torn from the
track, and tumbled down q steep en-
bankment, where they speedily took fire.
by some wise dispensation Of Divine
Providence, escaped uninjured- -"
See here, Slyme," suddenly interrupt
ed Cora, with an ill-concealed sneer, you
get that cant from the so-called religious
people you meet with occasionally.
Doubtless when you are with them it's
all we'll enough to make use of it. if you
gee fit to do so; but in my presence
knowing you as I do-.will you have the
kindness to forbear?"
The secretary, with chagrined look,
bowed humbly, and fixed his eyes upon
the floor.
Your will is my law" he said in low
tone, and then went on, hurriedly:
How ever managed to crawl out Of
that burning wreck know not, but did
do it, and strangely enough. when l
gained my feet, I found Mrs. Cleveland's
hat in my hand. I then looked around
to see if could find any traces of the
lady herself. and presently, not dozen
yards away, I discovered her lying among
number of the dead and dying.
Now, you see the wonderful likeness
between these two women, had occupied
my mind ever since I saw them sitting
80 near each other in the waiting-room
of the depot; and now, all at once, as I
stood there. it occurred to me thatI might
turn that likeness to good account, pro-
vided the other was dead, as strongly
suspected she was.
Il commenced thorough search, and
with the assistance of q brakeman and
one or two uninjured passengers, soon
found her body. so horrible burned and
disfgured, that it might easily have
passed for almost any ones; but taking
into consideration the hair, her height,
build, and certain features that were un-
injured, and which were common to both,
I was perfectly satisfied that Mrs. Cleve-
lands own mother would not hesitate for
q moment to declare that the dead girl
was her daughter.
But, to make assurance doubly sure,
after having the real Mrs. Cleveland con-
veyed away. I burned the remains Of Q
hat, which took from the de,d girls
head, and placed the other by her side,
and thus, a short time after, Eugene
Cleveland found the body, and accepted
it as that of his wife"
-Ah!" calculated Cora. Then quickly:
And what did you do with the woman
you TOOK away!
I hiled carriage. and conveyed her
to the colt &c you ordered me to lease in
Roxbury."
And she is there now?"
Yes, ma'am, and likely to remain
there long time"
She was injured, perhaps?"
Badly. Her right arm was broken.
her hea frightfully cut, and she received
other injuries.
1T was some time, of course, before I
could put her in charge of physician.
and by that time fever had set in. She is
out OF her head now, and the doctor says
ten to one she will never recover her
reason.
she has brain fever, thena"
Yes"
she may die?"
Its more than likely"
Finland the-.the other; what did
Il made inquiries afterward," said
Slyme, slowly, and found they had
taken it to Mrs. Cleveland's mothers, at
Riverside, from whence it is to be buried
to- morrow, think"
Ali" Then, after a moments pause:
4Slyme."
You must attend that funeral"
Attend the funeral! What possible
good can come of that?"
Il should greatly like to know who the
guests will be. What information You
are able to gather there may, in great
measure, shape our course for the fu-
ture."
.ThenI will certainly be there. And
now. madam, have you any further COM
uands for me?"
Have you told me all I ought TO
snow?"
Il believe so-unless -"
Unless what?"
why, I am inclined to think, from
what I have been able to learn since
reached the city, that young Fielding and
his sister are likely to make quite stir
about the liberty taken with their names,
and the fraud practiced upon them the
other night.
Pooh! let them stir. If they 60 too
far, they'll suddenly find themselves
without bread and butter, that's all. And
now, Slyme, think our interview foi
this time is over"
But, seeing that the secretary still lin.
gered. she thought it wise to bestow up
on him q little honey; 40, with her sweet
est smile she said:
My friend, am very we'll pleased with
you. The ardent zeal you have displayed
in carrying out my plans and wishes has
quite won my heart"
A flush of pleasure mantled the seere.
tarys face. His lips quivered and his eyes
lighted up with new fire.
Mrs. Elliston," he said. eagerly, but in
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