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


saved him once When he was nearly
drowned, and since then l believe he has
been ready to sacrifice his life for my
brother at any moment -
''Will is the man that had in my
mind. Can you send one Of the boys to
his house for him:''
'SWait here till I return, and Twill
fix it. :" With these words Alice quilted
the room. Left to herself, Virginia was
at once. thoughtful She could not be-
lieve that all the agitation which she
had witnessed in her friend was solely
Que to the coincidence Of a nightmare.
Yet how could Alice have really known
anything Of the crime, since she had not
been cut Of her own room, unless indeed
she had been present the night before?
Alice returned and, as she entered, said:
81 have sent Frank, one Of the stable
boys, for Will. Now, shall tell you
what I did last night::''
Virginia signifed her assent, and her
companion proceeded.
Harry Lucas had promised to take
me to drive in the evening but during
the afternoon he called and told me that
it would be impossible to do SO, as he
had received q note which would make
it Unnecessary for him to leave town. 7 did
not doubt his statement, and after lit
| tie conversation he left the house. After
his departure I found Oh the floor
note which he must have dropped in
taking his handkerchief from his pocket.
Of course had no right to read it, and I
did not think Of doing SO until recog
nized that tie address was in your
writing
Alice paused, but Virginia said moth
ing, though the color deepened On her
cheek. Alice continued:
'' suppose that, knowing you had ac-
cepted my brothers. love, it was con-
temptible thing for me to feel jealous
! Nevertheless confess with shame and
regret that such was the case. There
fo.e opened the note. AS you know the
contents, you can readily imagine that
what read was scarcely calculated to
dissipate my anger. You invited him to
secret meeting. The hour named was
for last evening. Thus Harry had broken
his promise to me, giving me false ex-
cuse, in order to meet you.
''Impetuous, as you know am, at
once determined to be present. You had
specified that he should wait for you in
the south side Of the summer house on
your lawn. had only to 60 early and
conceal myself in the northern division.
AS I drew on my cloak preparatory to
starting my eye fell on my pistol, which
lag on my dressing case, and, though I
! did not think Of needing it or of using
it, in my excitement I took it up and
slipped it into my pocket. reached the
! place first, as was my intention, and
patiently awaited your arrival. Harry
came, and yo,, joined him promptly. I
need not tell you what occurred between
you. overheard every word, and yoa
can imagine how much ashamed I was
of my doubt Of Harry and Of yourself
when I learned the real object Of the
meeting. / felt like revealing my pres
ence ard begging your pardon, but my
pride prevented me- So remained in
my place of concealmert until both of
you haG left. Then I hurried home"
ssBut this would scarcely account fer
the Dreams" said Virginia, without
commenting on the rest Of the story.
81 have not finished. I said that /
had taken my pistol with me when I
went out. On my return was alarmed
at net finding it, for, as you know, my
name is engraved On the stock. My i'm
aginative mind at once commenced to
picture all kinds Of trouble. What if
some ore should find the weapon and
commit o crime with it? Might not the
finger Of suspicion point at me? felt
inclined to return and look for it, but
the distance is long one, and besides
l could not be sure Of recovering it.
Therefore, trying to persuade myself
that my fears were silly, I endeavcred
to go to sleep. But, Oh, Virgie, what a
night have passed." She shudGezsd at
tho recollection.
can rea0lly understand ana am
now not surprised at what you said
when / came in. Shall we go down and
see if the boy has returned?' The two
girls left the room and descended to
the floor below. Here they found their
messenger aud were informed that Will
Every would be ready to go on their
errand as soon as he could get his horse
out a quarter of an hour later Everly
drove mp, and Alice carried the letter
out to him.
AS soon as the horse and wagon were
out Of sight Oh the road to New Market,
Virginia prepared to return hone,
whereupon Alice expressed her inten-
ton to accompany her, hoping to recov-
er her pistol, and together they started
to walk to Riverside.
no BE Continued
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