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

forth toward the river. This time she
watched them from the window of her
own room and realized from their ac-
tions that they we're studying the foot
prints between the house and the river.
She also Asaw them get in the boat and
cross theriver.
Once more she entered the parlor.
One would think from her repeated Wis
its to the place where lay the dead body
that it had some fascination for her. AS
though, indeed, this were the case, she
went straight to where it lay and, bend
ing down, gazed at it. .intently. Especial,
ly Gid she look upon the disfgured face.
Finally she turned her attention to the
hand and examined ring On one fin
ger. This seemed to satisfy her. In ris-
ing she stepped On the hem cf her dress
and fell to her knees, striking against
the corpse, which was thus slightly
turned over. This action brought into
view the other hand, which before had
been under the body. She shuddered as
she jumped up, and then, noticing that
the fist was doubled up tight, her curl
osity was aroused, and she determined
to investigate further. She endeavored
to open the fingers, and, though they
were tightly clinched, she at length
succeeded in relaxing two. This enabled
her not only to see that there was some
thing within the dead mans grasp, but
also to Withdraw it. This done, she evi-
dently had enough of the company of
the corpse, for she hurried to tie next
room and hastily closed the door after
her.
She then examined the article which
she had just obtained and found it to be
a small gold locket. Opening it, she saw
that it contained a miniature of herself
which had been made when she was yet
child.
She was evidently disturbed at the
discovery, for she gazed at it long and
earnestly. Perhaps her conscience
troubled her, and the thought came to
her that even at the moment when he
was killed her uncle had just been look
ing at this picture of herself, thinking
of the time when, young and attract
i've child, she had been his idol, and
then of the past week, when, before all
their friends, they had antagonized
their wills. She threw herself on the
bed, buried her face in her hands, and
for some minutes she sobbed like one in
dire distress. Presently, rising from her
recumbent position, controlling her
emotions by an effort of will, she first
hid the locket in her dress, as she had
done with the letters, and then batncd
her face and went to the window. She
looked toward the summer house, but
saw nothing Of the detectives Turning,
she hurriedly put On her hat, arranged
her toilet and started out from the house
in the direction Of the postofhce.
She thought that she had avoided the
observation of the detectives, but in
this, as she herself subsequently srs-
pected, she was mistaken. Reaching
the bridge, she noticed the beat, and as
she had last seen the two nlen entering
it she concluded that they were now in
the vicinity, though she did rot yet
guess that they had followed her. As
she passed the salocn, however, she
caught glimpse of Burrows, and as ho
Immediately withdrew, SO as to hide
himself from her view, she at once &C.
cided that he was there to watch her
movements. Thus she was compelled to
abandon her project of mailing tie let
ter herself, which had been Ter object
in coming out. She went on to the
house Of the Maryels.
Being on terms Of closest intimacy
with the inmates, she unceremoniously
entered without knocking and went in-
to the parlor. Here, seated in front OF 4
rousing log fire, she found Mrs. Mar
vel, busily engaged with some knitting
and evidently ignorant II the fact that
at that very time grave suspicious were
entertained against her son. The old
lacy politely rose ard welcomed her
visitor, but Virginia, without accept
ing her invitation to be seated, at once
inquired for her daughter Alice.
Alice lis not out of bed yet, s;;id
the mother. She sent me G message at
breakfast time that she had headache
and preferred to sleep. But you can go
up to her room if you wish. guess she
is not seriously ill., She smiled, we'll
knowing that her daughter was fond OF
her morning nap, and that 4'a head
acEe'' was often q convenient excuse.
Virginia at once went liz search OF her
friend. Ascending one fight Of stairs.
she entered Alice Marvel's bedroom.
Alice was in bed, but not asleep. Oh
the contrary, she seemed very vice
awake, although completely absorbed
with her thoughts.
A moments description cf this young
lady may net be arliss. Though, like
Virginia, brunette, she was nevert:e
less totally different in appearance.
Her friends called her pretty, and the
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