The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-03-28
at the door that the family were absent

at the door that the family were absent,
and ! would find you here"
"They are absent for the day, and,
therefore, am at your service"
@The nature of my business, fear,
may startle you, but feel that ought
not to forego it on that account shall
be obliged to ask you several questions
that you may dislike to answer, but,
Miss Nevergail, allow me to say, as
preface, that perfect frankness on your
part will be the best in the end"
The young man paused for moment,
then plying her evident confusion he
went on:
@Certain things, lately transpiring,
have led me to regret exceedingly that 1
did not use my own judRment that even
Ing, when we were together in the corrl-
dor at Glendenning Hall, and search for
the cause of our fright. should Ger
tainly have done so had you not seemed
30 decidedly to oppose it. came to
talk with you little upon your career
while in that house. Had you, as sup
pose, any especial reason for not wishing
that candle lighted, and search madeP"
Poor Ethel! She knew not what
course to take now to regain his esteem.
Certainly she could only falter, while
burning blush mantled cheek and brow:
II had, but I cannot explain It'll"
sAre you ashamed to tell the reason'"
Raising her eyes instantly to his she
was dismayed at the stern gaze liked
upon her own.
But she answered, even while she
tfembled-
.-"Not ashamed, Doctor. Save for what
did under compulsion in the tower,
have no cause for shame"
"Then, you certainly are q very diff
ferent person from the one l took you
to be-" was the cold reply. "Miss
Nevergail, allow me to tell you that
more infamous crime was never COM
mitted than the one you, an lnnocenb,
appearing young girl, aided and abetted
by your help while in that Sustained
house,"
sDoctor Effenstein!" exclaimed Ethel,
rising to her feet, surprise and horror
blending together on each of her beau
tiful features, and wonder and dismay
settling in her large, hazel eyes; "what
Is this you are saying to me? If l un-
derstand Alright, you are accusing me OF
being an accessory to some dark crime!
Speak! Did I understand you to mean
aYou surely did,"
~Then, sir, E" returned the indignant
girl, drawing up her slight figure to its
full height, while queenly dignity
reigned In each motion, even though
every particle of color left both cheek
and lip, @then, sir, all shall say In re-
ply is that you accuse me falsely, ana
in doing so you cease to be my friend!'
@But, Miss NevergaiI, reflect one mo-
ment. Had I not been your friend l
should wish no explanation. am your
friend, while desire to be sure OF your
innocence. You say, and I rejoice to
hear you afiTm it. that you are guilt
less. Will You not relieve my mind OF
these doubts by telling me frankly the
nature of your occupation while at the
Hall?"
Clasping her hands together in anguish.
the poor girl only answered: "Would
that / might, but cannct!"
aThen, Miss Nevergail, I shall be
obliged to tell you that all has been dis
covered, and that your horrible secret is
known"
20, thank God Can it be possiblel
Please go on, for am anxious to hear all
you know, but dare not utter one word!"
exclaimed Ethel.
"You must learL then, that your
nightly work was to carry food to GER
tain concesisd I55M, pace it0pon revOlv'
ING shelves, and"
SDoctor, you do inLeed know all; then
now am free to speak, as no secret will
be revealed by me? Those shelves were
knocked over, and the ape escaped that
night. 1t was his dreadful howl that so
frightened us. Tell me, has the animal
been recaptured, and returned to the
owner?"
sApe? Owner?" queried the Doctor,
surprise Illuminating each one OF his
speaking features. "What can you
mean?"
Eyes; Sir Reginald said it was kind
never before seen Of that species He
was keeping it concealed, until the owner
returned with other extraordinary curl
osities, be was abroad collecting. When
he did return, all were to be exhibited.
The fact that he kept its existence
secret, and made me take solemn oath,
never to reveal it, was certainly no
crime. It was absurd, and the absurd
ity sprang from love of money, but in
consenting to preserve the creatures
life by giving him food, during his lord
ships illness, did it. only because he
was nervous, and seemed to worry so
much over it's helplessness. I saw moth
ing wrong in it, and as it was not sinful,
am not ashamed of it,"
TO BE CONT1N UED.