The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-08-15
"Look! see, Mr.. Livingston. What
donc ir rnoono0

does it mean?"
As Livingston turned the bottom Of
the dish up where the light fell full upon
it, he behe.d two pictures engraved. Or
rather scratched on the bottom o. the
dish. One delinC at2d three men pushing
q fourth into a carriage. One held a
bludgeon aloft. In the other, three men
were thrustng man into house. Here
again tie bludgeon was held aloft.
There was a barred window over the
door, and Livingston managed to make
out the single word "madhouse" over
entrance. He passed the dish to Sim
mons.
The effect produced upon Simmons
was electrical He was transformed on
the instant into another man.
"Hcre, you!" he said to man near
him, "get the others at once-not mo-
ment to spare! Get the wagon out-and
you remain here till we return, Living
ston. The ladies can remain also if they
wish. Serves me right for not attending
to this myself, as intended in the first
place"
Livingston and Vittora were left to
imagine whatever they pleased.
With Livingston it was not difficult to
surmise the truth. The word Easy um"
was recalled, and when he reminded the
prima donna of the connection in which
it was used, she instantly exclaimed,
">an it be your friend, Mr.. Beau
champe, you think made this drawing?
Then he is the man so cruelty treated!
Horrible. Unreal! In this age, and in
this city! 1t is" she paused, then add.
ed in a low tone, as if to herself, anon.
strous!"
Her composure deserted her then. She
paced the floor. AS time sped, she be.
came more restless.
IF it is as We think-and you have
convinced me your friend is in that hor.
ribe p!ace-some one should warn his
sister. will do it myself. / have my
maid with mel will go now"
And Livincs cston was only too glad to
see her driving away in the direction OF
Beauchampe's lodgings
Cou he have accom- anied the singer,
he would have witnessed face drenched
in tears
There was romance under it all
concealed from all human eyes-that he
did not dream of.
When Simmons returned, he brought
with him young man with haggard
face. There were deep, dork-blue cir
cles under his eyes, but the voice that
greeted Livingston was as CHEEKY as
ever.
~ owe my reason if not my life to
you," Beauchampe said.
HThat is putting it rather strong; eh,
Simmons" said Livingston with SWELL
ing in his throat. "Anyhow, I thank
God yon are with your friends again.
Your experiences must have been awful,
Beauchampe."
mo tongue can describe it. I will do
the best l can to-morrow-you will write
it out, and then the word can judge
whether there is q hell on earth! Per
haps you can locate it with my assist
ance."
y 4
When ak the country read Beau
chamre's story, written by his friend.
deep regret was manifested because DR..
Varek and his chief assistant had
evaded Justice.
Europe. Their victims were aced
where the State authorities had free ac-
cess to them, and well-grounded feel
ing against private madhouses has been
greatly strengthed and confirmed by
Beauchampe's statement
Among DR.. Varek's private papers
were lettors from Major Dabney, in
closing checks for large amounts, and
containing instructions for the confne-
ment of Jim Carrick. Carrick had been
imprisoned chiefly at the instance Of
Major Dabncy, who for reasons best
known to himself preferred to have him
immurcd for life in a mad-house.
The revelations following the murder
of Major Dabney were Of such q nature
as to excite morbid sympathy for aCar-
ick, the crook" whose trial for murder
furnished a series of sensations, termin-
ating in the greatest sensation of all.
Defended by the ablest lawyers, he
was acquitted, became hysterical in the
courtroom, and two weeks afte-ward
was removed to an asylum for the in
sane, dying few months later.
Emerson's idea of compensation
seems to be carried out in the lives Of
the Beauchampes and Livingstons.
Vittoria ceased to be prima donna
when she became the wife of Leslie
Beauchampe. Her talent is appreciated
in private circles; her public displays
are entirely in the interest Of charity.
She is passionately devoted to art Those
who should know assert she Is entitled
to half the fame her husband enjoys.
The Livingstons are not so well TO-
vored in financial sense, but they are
of the opinion that they are getting as
much good out Of the world as anybody
they know.
1.-THE end
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