The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-11
1T is from Marion!" he cried; and
tearing open the letter he devoured its
contents

MIR STANMORE: You told me to call upon
Vou for assistance, should the time ever
| come. when in dire extremity, I needed 4
| devoted friend.
That time has come now. was abducted
| from my home, and l am now 4 captive by
| those who are in league with persons who
| are interested in concealing the real truth
| of my fathers murder.
I know the secret Of my poor fathers
| terrible fate, and until to-day had In ruy
possession a paper, which would prove the
| truth Of the explanation l had resolved TO
make the next day after my abduction, in
| open court in order to save Stuart Har-
! land.
Without the paIer. which I have lost, or
which has been stolen from me, to prove
my words know my statement will not
| be- credited, for 1 am aware that Judith
| Kredce can give the most terrible and posi-
dive evidence against me- If am arrested
now, l am lost, and il I were to tell the
| whole truth OF the mystery. though l swear
| TO you by the memory OF my dead mother,
and by all things sacred, that am inno-
| cent, and that was prompted by noble
purpose, l would not only defeat that pur-
pose for which have suffered so much but
| sacrifice myself
OF al. things, most dread arrest call
| apon you to rescue me and SHIELD me from
| he law. You will find me At No. 72 Baxter
street, .mpEOE6 you uOI 10 FcN0Il my
whereabouts to living soul l have made
one friend among the confederates Of my
Toes, who has promised to deliver this letter
to you. Yours In doubt and danger,
MARION OAKBURN
II will save her," cried Stanmore.
And while seeking to rescue her must
Try to prevent her discovery by Pax
ton."
The course Of events had so shaped
themselves that now Stanmore was Sc
cretly arrayed against the detective, as
Tar as related to Marion Oakburn.
He could not think Of revealing the
imprisoned girls whereabouts to Paxton
now, since she had implored him not to
do so, even had there been no other mo-
tive for keeping the secret.
Stanmore paced his room thinking
profoundly and striving to devise plan
Tor Marion's rescue and vindication.
The following morning he set out for
Paxton's office, alarmed lest the detec.
tive might discover Marion and arrest
her before he could accomplish her
rescue. He wished to be informed re.
garding all of Paxton's discoveries.
AS he approached the Office he saw
one of Paxton's agents, whom he knew
very well, approaching, and he knew
from the expression Of the mans face
that he had some important intelligence
to communicate to his principal.
When the agent entered the office
Stanmore stole to the door, placed his
ear to the keyhole, and listened.
In a moment he reeled back, white
and agitated.
THE fates are against her! Marion's
prison-place has been discovered. The
agent who just entered communicated
the intelligence to Paxton" he NUT
tered.
Then, listening again, he heard Pax
ton say:
I'VE will arrange to secure the girl to-
night. At least we may hope the de.
velopment Of the great mystery Is near
at hand"
Il must foil Paxton. Marion shall
not be arrested" resolved Stanmore.i
AS he was turning away he saw anoth-
er Of Paxton's agents coming through
the passage leading from the street to
the detectives office.
Stanmore feared that he was discov-
cred playing the part Of spy, but with
great presence OF mind, he calmly stoop-
ed down and seemed to be engaged In
tying up his shoe.
To the detective he said:
Good morning."
Then he passed on in an unconcerned
way, as though he was just leaving the
office, while the agent entered 1t.
Stanmore hastened back to his hotel,
feeling that he must work rapidly If he
would defeat Paxton and prevent the
arrest Of Marion Oakburn.
AS he was about to enter the hostelry,
he came face 10 face with the man who
had brought him the letter from Marion
on the preceding night.
The fellow made Stanmore signal to
follow him and he obeyed.
In shop near by the man said:
This morning, just before daylight,
they removed the young lady to new
prison place. You see, they mistrusted
the house was spotted by detective,
for fellow was seen spying about it
last night"
Describe the spy" said stanmore,
eagerly.
The man did 30.
@Ah, the agent that brought Paxton
the news that he had located Marion.
This is fortunate, Marion will not be
found at the place to which the agent
will conduct Paxton tonight" said
Stanmore.
The he asked:
DO you know where the lady now isp'
Yes, sir; and tomorrow night I'll
take you to her."
why not to-night?'
i've got q job on hand. No matter
what it is, it can't watt" said the fellow
resolutely.
With this Stanmore was obliged to rest
content.
1t CALLED him to think that he was
compelled thus to work in secret, and
that he dared not call upon the police
for assistance to rescue Marion.
That night Paxton and his men made
a descent upon the house where his
agent had located Marion Oakburn, but
of course they did not find her, and the
house where she had been captive was
deserted.
Paxton and his agents were furious.
Some traitor must have betrayed our
plans" cried Paxton.
His colaborers agreed with him.
Then the man who had encountered
Stanmore at the door of the office while
his associate was making his report Of
the discovery Of Marion, told Of that
circumstance.
"Stanmore had not entered the office.
BE was playing che spyl" cried Paxton.
CHAPTER XAIX.
Paxton did not appear to be as much
surprised to hear that Stanmore had as