The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-03-08

!
An instructive suspicion seized hold
OF her. Had she done wisely in coming,
unaccompanied, to the place? at any
rate she should have left word at home.
| Who was the man? Suppose it were not
srue: Yet why should she doubt? Dun
can was hurt. He had sent for her, and
she had come.
The door swayed to behind her, and
Its clash reverberated through her
frame.
.sThis way, madam said her guide,
and in the very tone of the man she de-
tected treachery.
'Can see the woman Of the house?"
she asked unsteadily.
"Why, certainly said her compan-
| ion, and his voice made her tremble.
| "Why, certainly-certainly.
A slatternly woman made her appear
| snce at the end of the passage.
ssSally, there's visitor come to see
you. Madam, this is Sally; Sally, this
| is madam from the west end. -
Mabel crouched back in an agony Of
terror. Where was she? Who were these
dreadful people? But, still, might not
Duncan be there?
"Where is Captain Brett?" said she
to the woman. 'Is he yet conscious?"
The woman sniggered.
'sCapt'n, miss! There's a Salvation
capt'n as lives next door, but I "a, ,dly
thinks you'd take kindly to i'm. He
amt washin man, amt Billy-least-
ways, not in summer time. /"
The ooarseness Of the woman came as
knell on Mabel's ears, yet she dare
not give up hope. She turned to her
conductor.
sYou came with message, sir, from
Captain Brett. Will you take me to
him?''
+ afraid he's not here, madam. Sud
den recovery-taken up his bed and
walked" said the man, with hideous
chuckle in enjoyment Of the girls dis
tress.
s.Then am I to understand, sir, you
have deliberately brought me here un-
dersfalse pretense?"
.Thatss about the size of if, miss. :"
The, terror that now filed her gave
her strength to make one bid for free
dom. She turned rapidly, rushed past
the man and dashed to the door. Her
fingers were already on the latch before
his rough hand was laid on her shoul-
der. Her despair gave her unnatural
strength, and she struggled to achieve
her purpose with the power Of fren-
zied woman. The man was unable to
hold her and loudly called for the as
sistance of his female accomplice, who
aided him with fiendish glee.
"Stop that yellin!" said she, plac-
ing her filthy paw over Mabel's mouth.
"Now, then. Rich, tie her hands, if you
amt man enough to hold 'em. All,
curse you.'
And as MabeI's teeth closed over her
fingers she dealt her a blow that COM
pletely stunned the girl.
They dragged their almost inanimate
victim to the back sitting room and
flung her on to sofa, tied her hands
and feet with a couple Of antimacas-
ears, and then stolidly surveyed their
handiwork.
In few minutes her eyes opened.
She glare9 round with terrified, implor-
ius eyes. In sober truth herssituation
was enough TO daunt her heart. Here
was she in dirty house in the east end
of London, entirely at the mercy of a
pair CT scoundrels She had not left the
slightest clew at home whereby she
could be traced. She was absolutely
friendless and alone, and what was the
purpose Of her captors she dared not
think.
CHOW, madam said the man,
standing over her and eying her with
cruel satisfaction, "kindly listen. So
long as you behave no harm will hap
pen to you. Meals will be brought in by
-er-this ady''-pointing to the slat-
ternly hag, who grinned in acknowl-
edgment of the description-"but once
| attempt to escape or arouse the atten-
tion of neighbors and you will find out
| your mistake %
"This treatment is Infamous, I" Mabel
gasped, "simply Infamous. Why have
you done it: What is your motive?''
Fitzgerald resumed his usual manner
of speech.
Meaning best left alone. No good
telling secrets. You've come for the
good of your health. Isn't it SO, Sally?
Whitechapel sanitarium. Renowned for
treatment. Perfect cure guaranteed
"And you call yourself man, and
can be SO brutal-so diabolicall" gasped
the girl.
"Never call names-on principle
'.But how dare you bring me to this
dreadful place and keep me? How could
| you tell such cruel lie? They will
trace you and find me here, and the law
will punish you. Look, I'll make you
an oferl Release me and let me go
now, and ycu shall hear nothing about
this matter %