The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-12-15


part which she took in it herself; go
much so that we did not dare to tell
her Of the charges against Miss Lewis.
But through the stupidity Of a servant
she heard today Of the fact that her
brother is now the accused, and she has
been delirious ever since. / have waited
after the others to tell Miss Lewis this,
but now I am anxious abont Miss Mar
vel and will leave you. I hope that you
may be successful in your defense Of
Walter. Icannot believe that he is real
y guilty. y
.sIt shall not be for want of honest
endeavor if I fail Mr. Barnes bowed
courteously as Lucas retired.
a moment later Miss Lewis appeared.
s'I am glad you are here, Mr..
Barnes, said she, ...for want to get
/ to work at once. -
Every well. Let me ask you few
questions. What was your mothers
rame?''
Matilda. / don't know her married
name. Every one knows that Lewis
is only the name gi.:en to me by my
adopted father. That was his name,
and as am his sisters child Of course
she must have changed hers when she
married, but to what my uncle never
would tell me. So have been Virginia
Lewis in spite Of myself. /"
But perhaps you know your fathers
first name, if not his last:?''
ssNo. Whenever ! asked any ques-
ions my uncle would say, You never
had a father. .
ssWell, your mothers name was Ma
tilda-that is, the first name has M. ,
for the initial. And I feel satisfied that
your fathers initial was ". 30
stIs it matter Of any Importance
'sIt may be. The ring that your IN
Gle wore bore the inscription sW. to
M I have sent Everly to Dover to f,ad
out if the same is Oh tnat medallion. /
may have overlooked the word 'to'
when I had it in my hand, and if it IS
there it will indicate that there were
two Of those lockets. y
stAnd that would help to prove that
| Walter is innocent, would it not?'' =
t'It would help, fer it would show
that the one which you found in the
dead mans hand was not the one which
Mr.. Marvel had. %
ssGcd grant it. Otherwise should
never forgive myself for furnishing that
evidence against him. But what about
the clothes which he says he threw into
the river? The squire told me that he
and my cousin, Mr.. Lewis. have had
the stream dragged, but did not find
anything. %
81 mean to have try at that myself
/! Now have another point which wish
to Investigate, and if you will excuse
me I will be or.
"You will return and take supper
with me, will you not: The proprieties
will not be invaded, for Sarah is here
with me and will stay as long as | wish
her. Therefore you can have q room
here if you desire.
"Thank you very much. Don't lose
heart, Miss Lewis. If it be in the power
of man, will clear your lover from
this charge
Virginia showed her gratitude in her
face, and the detective went away.
From the farm he went to the house OF
DR.. Snow and was fortunate enough to
find him at home, though he had but
just returned from visit to Miss Mar
vel, whom he reported as slightly i'm
proved. Mr.. Barnes proceeded to ask a
few questions Of the old physician about
the people most nearly connected with
the crime and its consequences. Finally
he said:
s.There is a question that I would
/ like to ssl. doctor. Would mans fin