The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-10-13
CHAPTER V.
TEE TWO GIRLS.

as ever.
CHAPTER V.
TIE TWO GIRLS.
Virginia Lewis, though living in
New England, would never be mistaken
for native of that section. She lacked
the phlegmatic temperament Of the peo-
pie about her, Notwithstanding the fact
that she had been reared among them.
Her environment had undoubtedly af-
fected her character to the extent that
outwardly she moved, spoke and acted
like her neighbors. But there was GER
tain suppressed emotion, always distin-
guishable, however we'll controlled,
that bespoke birthplace in q warmer
cline. However mildly she might ad-
dress her friends: and there were few
of gentler speech, the slightest antago
nism betrayed by any one present would
be met with an instantaneous answer
ing fash Of her lustrous dark eyes,
which betokened danger if the subject
were pursued. Not one, not even those
most dear to her, had the courage to
take liberties Of conversation or Of act
with Virginia Lewis. Nevertheless, she
was the best beloved and most popular
young woman in the township. Half
the young men the country round were
her admirers, ready to become obedient
servitors in exchangefor friendly nod
Rarer still, she had no enemies among
the women folk.
She was not beautiful, yet by many
called so. / think this was because of
the marvel OF her eyes, which, always
brilliant and eyer restiessly moving, rs
though to absorb all about her, attract
ed with fascination or magnetism
which none resisted. It was no wonder
that the rays Of genuine intelligence
shed by those orbs should have been mis-
taken for beauty, for, after I'll, it is e1-
pressiveness rather than symmetry Of
linea1nent which men most admire in q
woman.
When at rest, there were hard, set
lines about the mouth wk5ci1, to the
physiogncmist, unniistakablg proclaim
ed her possession Of tina. excessive will
power and dogged persistence which
Squire oaney Cd truly mentioned as
characteristic traits. Mr.. Barnes had said
that he would net expect tosarprise her
again into a betrayal Of herself or her
purposes, and in this he showed a keen
perception.
She had been very much startled by
the abrupt entrance Of the two men and
their subsequent announcement that
they were detectives. She noticed that
Mr.. Barnes had kept the empty car
fridge shell which had dropped from her
lap, bue in the moment of her surprise
she had not time to decide upon the
best course consistent with whatever
purpose she was benz upon accomplish
ing. When they left her, she sat down
and meditated for some time. Present
ly she arose, and it was eviden5 that her
plan had been formulated. She took the
pistol from the cabinet, where Mr.
Barnes slrewdly guessed that it was.
Whatever had been her reason for re-
moving the Shell which Mr.. Barnes had
taken it was plain that size now consid-
cred her purpose unattainablc. Opening
the drawer Of her bureau, she took
therefrom q small mahogany bcx, which
she unlocked. In it were several paste
board packages Of ball cartridges. Oae,
however, contained shells which had
been exploded. She next withdrew q
cartridge from the pistol, and in its
stead inserted an empty shell, being
careful to see that the hammer exactly
rested upon The indentation IL the rim.
Thus it is evident that if she had re-
moved from this pistol the empty shell
which Mr.. Barnes had picked up she
must have reloaded the weapon prior to
his entrance. Now she was restoring it
to its original condition. She threw the
pistol ON the bed, as though desirous
that it should be readily found.
Next she opened drawer OF the cab
met ard took out two pieces OF folded
paper. One of these was duplicate Of
that found By the detectives, bearing
the words, eff am dead in the morn
Ing, my murderer IS -, except
that, as Mr.. Barnes had guessed, this
one bore a name, the sentence being
completed. Virginia scrutinized this
for some moments, sighed deeply and
refolded it. Tho other was also half
sheet and bore q few lines addressed to
herself. She read this several times and
then folded it also, placing both papers
in her dress
Approaching the door which comma
nicated with the parlor, she listened at
tentively for few moments and then
entered that apartment, which was
empty, the detectives, by this time, hav
ing gone out upon the lawn. Peeping
from the window, careful that she her
self should be hidden from sight by the