The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-06

| look after his private business, he deter
mined to send for you, and perhaps place
J his affairs in your hands"
The lawyer paused, and Earle an
swered:
Anything that / can do within the
range Of honor and integrity, shall be
pleased to undertake."
"We felt 30. The case then is this:
| but, of course, you will recognize the
fact that the history of our friends life,
! which shall be obliged to unfold to you,
is told in strict confidence. Will you
promise to regard that confidence as a
sacred trust, never to be told to another,
until all that is now mysterious has been
swept away?"
"I will"
"Then I will proceed. Our friend was
the youngest son of Sir Godfrey Glen
, denning, residing in q large town near
| Liverpool This gentleman had one
| daughter, who married against his
wishes, and three sons-Arthur, who
would in case of his death succeed
to tho title; Reginald, two years
younger; and Fitzoy, the gentleman you
see before you, whose severe domestic
misfortunes have been so great that for
the last twenty-five years he has been
obliged to live in this country, under the
assumed name of Rappelye. The cause
of this retirement he has kept, and still
wishes to keep, profound secret
"A short time after the death OF his
parents, for they expired within few
months of each other, and after his
| brother Arthur had come into possession
| of his title, little turmoils arose between
| the brothers, and seemed to embitter
them exceedingly.
"Reginald, the second son, had an ugly,
! morose disposition, that was peculiarly
exasperating, and whenever the oppor-
tunity occurred he delighted in getting
| Fitzroy into disgrace with the young
| baronet.
/ sThese young men had very pretty
cousin, In whose society they each took
extreme pleasure. Her name was Con-
stance LeoDore Glendenning. 1t was
soon discovered that the affections Of the
young girl were centered upon Sir Ar
thur, and this knowledge was imme-
diately followed by betrothal.
! "Reginald, being somewhat disappoint-
ed that be could not win the prize, un-
| dertook to report several little interviews
of o purely innocent and accidental
nature that Fitzroy had had with this
lady to his brother, casting very sinis-
ter light upon them, and assuring Arthur
that Fitzroy was endeayoring to sup
plant him in her favor.
"This artful story infuriated the youEg
nobleman, and caused a very bitter in
terview. Fitzroy Indignantly denied
every thought Of interference, declaring
the truth, that his love for Constance
was merely cousinly, and urging that he
had been slandered.
@This Sir Arthur refused to believe, and
they parted in anger, Fitzroy exclaiming,
in moment Of unguarded passion, as he
| left him:
avery well, think so II 1t suits you;
but, mark me, you shall yet repent your
unjust accusations and, as live, shall
| never repeat this insult
"Closing the door as he spoke, he
stepped into the hall, and stood face to
| face with Antoine Duval, the valet Of his
brother Reginald, and, from the conscious
look he gave him, Fitzroy knew, and af-
ter events made him certain, that he had
either pnrposely listened or accidentally
| heard the unfortunate remark.
"The brothers did not meet again that
day, but early the next Fitzroy was
| awakened by an unusual tumult.
Rising. he dressed rapidly. and pro-
ceeded to investigate the cause Of The
| disturbance
"To his horror be was told that Sir
Arthur had disappeared during the night.
| His bed had been occupied as usual, but
| he had probably been murdered, or very
| badly wounded, as. while no traces OF his
| body could be found, evidences OF a con-
| test were on every side.
"Blood was upon the bed and floor, the
| window-seat was covered with it, as
though he had been dragged through it,,
| and then by means Of rope let down to
the ground below.
@The rope still clung to the balcony.
| "From the grass to an ornamental lake
! not far distant were irregular patches OF
| the same human gore.
"Beyond that, nothing was ever dis
covered!
THAT lake was thoroughly dragged
for the body: the grave by the side OF it
was searched, not spot being left in
which corpse could be buried-to NO
effect.
"The body of the murdered Sir Arthur
Glendcnning was never found.
"But, while stupefed with grief over
his brothers loss, our poor friend was
made aware that the finger Of suspicion
pointed to him with singularly fatal evil
dences of guilt.
"a dagger with his name engraved
upon the handle was found by the bed.
side, on the floor, its blade still wet with
| blood.
| Beneath the window-seat, caught up.
on q nail, was fragment of cloth which,
upon search being made, fitted exactly
into O rent in a drcssing-gown of his,
that was found hanging in his own closet.
"Horriblc TO relate, some OF his broth
er's blood still clung to the gown!