The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-02-07
losE out, and tell me if shower is ap-

lock out, and tell me if shower is ap-
Rroaching."
Ethel arose at his bidding, and, after
examining the sky, returned, saying, as
she resumed her seat:
sThere is, indeed. A very black cloud
is lying in the west, which foretells .
hard shower"
Then put aside your instrument and
draw close TO me, as T have some private
instructions to give you in regard to a
new work to be done tonight. Are we
entirely alone?"
awe are. Mrs. Freedom left the room
to prepare you some nourishment, and
your wife and niece are in the grounds, !"
replied Ethel. trembling, she knew not
why.
3Then listen intently to my instructions
II that storm RACES about half-past nine
or ten o'clock tonight, you must visit the
Haunted Tower and put in motion some
machinery have erected there"
"Oh, Sir Reginald" murmured the
shrinking listener, "please do not ask
that of me-"
"Shut up! You just attend to my Or
ders, and do what tell you to do. Never
dare dispute my will"
The baronet then proceeded to give
minute directions for the lighting OF
each light, and also for the movements
OF the frightful and hideouS image there
concealed.
At It's conclusion he remarked:
"Do you think you understand every
particular of the work I now require to
be done?"
II do," replied Ethel; "but, sir, my
soul revolts from the whole thing. !
consider it wicked deception, and I beg
you to excuse me from undertaking it. 1"
"Who cares what you think about it!
No one asked your opinion. Do it you
shall, so do not dare to utter another
word against it."
"Sir Reginald, I have faithfully per-
formed your wishes in regard to feeding
the animal, whose life you value so
highly, knowing that to preserve the
life of even the least Of Gods creatures
is duty, but I can see no possible ne.
cessity for striving to impose upon the
credulity of the inhabitants of this quiet
place"
"That, I tell you IS my business and
not yours, " was the angry reply. "You
are here simply to attend to my work
and have we'll paid you for doing So"
II know that; but surely I am at lib
erty to point out an error in your wishes
and Judgment. Sir Reginald, this thing
that you ask me to do is wrong, and
entreat you to carry it no further. You
say you have done this yourself for
twenty-five years; surely that can an
swer any purpose you may have to effect
by it. Please, then, be satisfied, and let
this thing rest!"
81 tell you 1 will not" replied the bar
onet, fairly purple from rage. "Do you
not see that your obstinacy is throwing
me into a terrible and injurious excite
ment? I command you to obey my
wishes. If you dare refuse, you shall
leave my house this night, even though
I know you have nowhere to lay your
head. Do you hear?
II do" murmured the distressed girl.
"Will you obey?"
No answer came, the only reply she
could make being burst OF tears.
Maddened by her silence and sobs, the
baronet started up, until leaning upon
his elbow, thing he had been expressly
forbidden to do, as it would jar his hip,
he shook his fist violently in her face,
while he demanded in fury:
aWill you obey?"
II will" she at last gasped, between
her sobs. Poor girl! Seeing his violent
excitement, and remembering her aunt'S
last charges, she dared not refuse.
"Then see that you do it, he returned,
more calmly, as he sank back with a
groan upon his pillow.
Mrs. Freedom having by this time reap
peared, Ethel withdrew from his side,
and repaired to her own apartment to
weep over her unfortunate lot, and to
watch the clouds, hoping that the expect
ed shower might pass around without
reaching the spot in which she resided.
But her hope was vain!
AS the evening came, the dreaded
cloud approached nearer and nearer, and
when 10 o'clock struck, thunder, light
ming, wind, and rain were riding furi-
ously upon. above, and around the earth.
There was, therefore, no escape from
the disgraceful duty that awaited her,
so at her usual time she took the lighted
candle in her hand and started with tear
tul eyes to attend to the task before her.