The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-03-07
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE CAVE

About three days after the burial OF
the baronet, Ethel Nevergail, with Lady
Clare Linw ood, accompanied by groom,
started out for their usual horseback
ride, as this exercise DR.. Elfenstein con-
sidered essential to the health Of his
young patient.
The two being always together and
congenial in spirit, they enjoyed the
hours thus spent exceedingly.
Both were skillful horsewomen and
both were extravagantly fond Of
the saddle. Most Of the scenery
around shire was romantic and full
of beauty, and they explored its many
retreats with happy hearts, awake to
each new and varied charm that nature
opened so prodigally before them.
This morning they had resolved to fol-
low wild-looking path, leading through
deep wood, one they had never noticed,
in rides past the spot, until the day before.
Laughing and chatting gayly, they
pushed through narrow path, half over
grown with weeds and brambles, pierc-
Ing deeper and deeper into what seemed
the densest woodland shade.
sHave you any IDEA, Roger" asked
LADY Claire, at last, Of the attending
groom, who kept short and respectful
distance in the rear, @where this narrow
path will take us?"
II have not, my lady. I am sure
never noticed it before, and should not
now, 'ad you not first discovered It, Per.
| haps, as it is so rough and overgrown,
YOU 'ad better turn back"
"After awhile, Roger! As long as we
can get through, shall like to go on, in
| order to crafty my awakened curiosity. /"
Suddenly, after an advance OF about
half mile, both girls noticed at once
that footsteps had diverged from the
beaten path, and looking towards the
point to which they seemed directed
they were astonished to see the opening
entrance, to what seemed large cave,
overhung with vines of thick luxurisnce.
These vines seemed lately to have been
parted, revealing, as l have said, a
| passage into roomy cave.
Refining up their horses. they paused
before the spot, in order to survey it
more closely, when all distinctly heard
low means of pain, issuing from point
near the entrance.
Surmising at once that some fellow
being was in distress, Ethel requested
Roger to dismount and investigate the
place, and Immediately return to re-
port the cause or the apparent suffering
within.
The man dismounted as requested,
and disappeared from view, only to re-
turn with the news that the eccentric
bookseller, Rev. Edwin C. Styles, was
very i'll in that remote and hidden spot.
Bidding Roger assist her to the ground,
Ethel at once fastened to the side of the
sick man.
She found him stretched upon an old
cot bed in this damp and gloomy retreat,
far away from the haunts Of men. On
glancing rapidly around, she noticed
| few articles of furniture and a few uten-
sils for daily use, but saw no trace OF lire
or food.
On this rude bed, then, lay stretched
the form of the eccentric being who had
been so much talked Of during the past
few days. His cheeks were flushed with
fever, while the weary movements OF his
mead told of intense pain in that region.
CTaspea In his thin, white hands upon
his breast lay the mysterious wallet.
| Seeing at once that the poor creature
was very low, perhaps near death, Ethel
stepped lack to the entrance of the cave,
and requested Roger to ride with all
speed to summon DR.. Elfenstein to his
side. She also requested Lady Claire to
remain within call, while she herself
would watch over the sufferer until aid
should come.
Il think, Roger, you should also &C