The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-04-20

taken in white dress, with tennis rack
ct in her hand.
Dowker examined the photographs care
fully and then coolly read all the letters,
of which there we're about ten. After
doing this he turned to Lydia Fenny, who
had been watching him all the time, and
said:
Il can read whole story in this. The
name OF your mistress was not Lena Sars-
chine, but Helena Dioksfall. She lived
at Folkestone with her father, Captain
Michael Dicksfall, and lady she calls
Amelia, whom I take to be her sister,
Lord Calliston went down to Folkestone.
saw her, and fell in. love. All these let
tsrs show how he conducted his intrigue,
which he did under the name of Frank
Carrill. He loved Miss Dicksfall. but did
not wish to marry her. At last he per-
suaded her to run away with him, and at
last she did so. Ashamed of her position,
she changed her name to Lena Sarschine
so as to conceal her identity. The por-
trait of the old gentleman is that of her
father, Michael Dicksfall, and this one is
herself"
Lydia Fenny listened in silent amaze
ment to the way in which he had pleced
the story together, and then taking the
portraits in her hand she looked at them
long and earnestly.
'Ye," she said at length, laying down
the photographs with a sigh. 1T is Miss
Sarschine, but it must have been taken
some time ago, for never saw her In that
dress, and I have been with her for about
year.
Dowker was about to make a reply,
when the door opened and woman en-
tered. Tall, thin, with pale face, dark
hair, and an aggressive manner, dressed
in green dress, and bonnet to match.
1Oh!" observed Lydia on seeing her,
"is this you, Annie?"
Dowker looked sharply at the new
conner, whom he now knew to be Lady
Balscombe's maid, and she returned his
gaze with look of suspicion.
We'll, sir" she said at length, in
rather harsh voice, II hope you'll know
me again.
Dawker laughed, and Lydia hastened
70 introduce him to Miss Litford, who,
being an extremely self-possessed young
person, took the introduction very calm
", though she manifested some surprise
when she heard Mr.. Dowkers calling.
This gentleman" said Lydia, when
they were all seated, wants to ask you
few questions.
"And for what?" asked Miss Lifford, in
dignantly. my character I hope being
above policemen's prying."
I'm not policeman" explained Dow
ker, smoothly, Abut detective, and I
want to know all that took place on the
night your mistress eloped."
fare you employed by Sir Rupertl"
asked Annie, grandly; because, though
I knows they fought bitter, yet wild bulls
won't drag anything out of me against
my mistress, she being good one to
me-"
Il don't want you to say anything
against your mistress, replied Dowker.
mildly; "but am invetigating this case
.Murder!" echoed Miss Liford, in
scared tone. who is murdered-not Lady
Balscombe?"
NO" said Lydia. bursting into tears,
1but my poor mistress, Miss Sarschine.
"A person of no repute, shifted Annie,
coldly.
Leave her alone" said Lydia passion
ately. She's dead, poor soul, and, even II
she was not married, she was better than
Lhuy DhlpSoAoS, SoA3yAA6 VIZ "AsA AoNS
Calliston."
"Oh,, indeed, miss!" said Annie, rising
Indignantly. This is plot, is it, to
mix up Lady Baiscombe with your mis-
tress? won't have anything to do with
it."
Dowker caught her wrist as she arose
and forced her back into her chair.
You'll answer what want to know"
he said sternly, "or it will be the worse
for yourself.
Upon this Miss Lifford began to weep,
and demanded if she was slave or
British female, to be thus badgered and
assaulted by policeman. At last, after
some difficulty, Dowker succeeded in
making her understand that what he
wanted to know was not detrimental to
her mistress, upon which she said she
would tell him what he required. So
Dowker produced his note book and pre-
pared to take down Miss Liffords evil
dence.
ITO BE CONTINUED