The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-16
CHAPTER VIII.
on THE THRESHOLD.

on THE THRESHOLD.
One thought had been dominant IN
the heart Of Beatrice Mercer since the
moment that Raymond Marshalrs dis.
tcovery Of her duplicity had crushed heI
with humiliation. A bitter, cruel re.
solve that, come what might, he should
never again see the face Of the woman
he loved! l.,
"Patience!" her fierce heart hao
xhrobbed out. He loves her yet; ne
knows her to be true. He despises me,
but-he shall vet love me. l cannot lose
him. He shall never find or wed Edna
-Deane."
Then, calming her fierce, resolute
nature to subtle, sinister regard OF all
The issues in the case in which mingled
y love and jealousy involved her, Beatrice
: Mercer fell to studying the chances in
!. her favor.
n She knew where Edna had gone; the
letter that Edna had only half read,
amid her excitement and anxiety. had
been conned over and over again by the
plotting Beatrice.
Its contents gave her an insight OF the
character OF the father who had sent
for his beloved child, into his secrets as
well, and she knew that one OF two
things would happen when Edna reached
home-her father would order her to
forget all friends Of the past, or, If any
letter or word was sent to Raymon d
Marshall, it would be through her
friends.
AS the days passed by, however, and
no word was received, she grew puz-
.zled, disturbed, and finally anxious
The evening preceding that upon which
Raymond Marshall appeared at the
Seminary to find her gone, however, she
made discovery that startled her into
d new train of thought and action, un-
Expected, vivid, exciting.
A student living at quite distance
received regularly the weekly paper
published at her home, and glancing
over this, Beatrice felt the blood rush
from her heart through icy channels, as
she noted an item that told her intui-
lively that she had found a trace Of the
Smissing Edna at last.
It was the record Of the death by
drowning Of man and q girl; the &C
count Of the scene at that broken
bridge, where the two villagers had
seen Edna Deane's companion plunge
Ito his death, and had accredited Edna
herself with falling q victim to the
same fate.
Within an hour, from careful study
oS the item and from q knowledge OF
the route taken by Edna and her guide,
Beatrice knew that she no longer had
\ rival. Edna Deane was dead!
She knew something more. She knew
khat with the death Of these two had
6erished a mighty secret-that some
where-and she knew where, an anx-
ious iather was awaiting the return OF
his beloved daughter, to lay at her feet,
lss en atonement for the forced neglect
of years; a royal fortune.
The next morning Beatrice Mercer's
mind was made up. All night long she
had plotted and planned. The jealous
minded school girl Of the night previous
had become in few brief hours will
ful, wicked siren, iInbued with schemes
las bold and cruel as the hardest heart
ever yet designed.
She went straight to the town where
Edna and her companion had disap-
;peared. Within twentyfour hours she
was satisfied that both had met their
fate in the turbulent torrent that flowed
beneath the broken rustic bridge.
For wealth-for Raymond Marshall's
love-" she murmured resolutely, as.
few hours later, she took train for the
next station.
Evening shadows were creeping over
the autumnal landscape az Beatrice
Mercer left the little depot and walked
towards the outskirts of the village.
In the dim light she made out an
antique but magnificent mansion, occu-
pying elaborate grounds, but surround
led by great, high walls.
so near to home and then to lose
life, fortune, and love!" mnrmurcd the
steely hearted siren. Poor Edna! but
i cannot miss this royal chance"
Her eyes sparkled as she drew from
her pocket q little chain and locket that
Edna had worn at school and which she
had lett behind her in her hurry 10 60
to seek her father.
She calmed herself. as il for mighty
ordeal, as she seized the bell-knob at
the iron gate and sounded one resonant,
tdiscordant peal through the gloomy
structure beyond.
Fairly on the Threshold" she breathed
wildly, yet exultantly, as she awaited
reply to her eurnmons-"one bold stroke,
a single resolute assumption, and
shall lie mistress of wealth untold, to
pave the way to the heart Of the man
i love-Raymond MARSHALL"