The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-10-29


~ EsPlTE the late hour. lights
shoue in the library. together
with the glow and reflection
o! q biz. cheerful fire. Drawn
near to this was round oak table Gov
cSeti and Uttered ny documents Of Ill
descriptionS: while beside II with bis
head resting On his arms. Horace Nor
ciifYe. banker and broker. sat soundly
sleeping.
Outside the easement window. whose
curtain had not been lowered. was a
face sharp rs tha, Of any fox. The
ANAL eyes. intense and glistening. were
axed immOyably On the slumberinS
man, and the slim. dapper body quiv-
cred with triumphant excitement at the
sight.
Cautiously inserting \ clasp knife
blade. he deftly forced UP the hasp.
then stepped within. closed the window
and dropped the curtain.
Gliding noiseless!y to the door. he
turned the key in the lock.
Presently. however. he shook the
banker sn,artly by the shoulder. A
disapproving srunt was the only re-
spouse he received. But u vigorous
slap on the back brought Horace 10
his feet with q bound. Staring about
him. dazed and bewildered. he finally
perceived the amused intruder. nj
whom he sazed long and Incredibly.
Who are you:' he demanded. when
his astonishm-nt permitted. What dc
you want here
II answer 20 Jedrey. and MY business
here swell. rather peculiar"
Then state 1t quickly and begone.
said Horscc sternly. with his hand on
the bell. unless you wish to be ar'
rested"
"You may ring yourself blue. my
dear sir returned Jedr~y. but no one
win heed you. II mas turned Il. ard
the servants are al in bed. Besides
y6H would be wise to hear me. man
OF your prominence should always
have a clear character. and not mere
pretence TO one"
"vThy. what 10 you mean" said Ho-'
acc sharply.
Mean" resoTtad Jedrey. II NEAR
to tell your history better even than
you know il yourself"
He then sketched the bankers carcei
In IN accurate manner. He told how
when 4 susceptible young man he haG
married q woman who. older than him
self. afterward proved to BE- unworthy
Of the love be- had bestowed upon he'
either before Or after he had made he.
his wife. As he had desired to avoid
the scandal OF 4 divorce he had let'
her to seek iis fortune in distant city
Reports that came 10 him from his OLD
home told Of the woman's downfall
disappearance. and iinally Of her death
After several years had passed he hsd
met and married his present wife ant
was enjoying 10 thc full the happiness
OF perfect Lore. Much as he regrette,
to disturb this ! sppiness. the visito
continued. be WIS obliged to Inform
him that his drsr wife was not dead
but living and anxious to see him.
Heavens exclaimed Horace. nj
apathy vanishing IN sudden dislnay
"alice alive: Alive! But no: impos
sible! 1t Is fals--hideously false! BE-
yord the slightes, doubt she COMMITTEES
suicide"
Have you ever had absolute proc
that the buried woman was actually
your wife,"
'No. but"
"Then don't be deiuded any longer.
declared Jedrey. literally beside him
self with glee ''She is no more deal
than you are. She has been craving al
these weary years to see her belove'
husband. And. by the way. capital
and plenty Of it. Is the only thing t
quiet her.
If you do not instantly depart.
shouted rhe banker. clenchlng hi
hands fierreiy. Il will kill you'll swea
it!''
The threat" be said. lis both empt!
and foolish. However. I will obey you
command il you promise to oi,ey mine
The sole object Of this visit. on behal
Of Alice. Is money. Money We mus
fave-shall have. The amount decide,
upon Is f20.OID. do you agree to pa.
st."
Twenty thousand pounds" mu,
tered the banker. Yes! agree! Blu
] cannot pay II now. or here"
That Is !mmaterIal." chucklcd Jed
rey, advancing and unlatchins the wiz
dow. Your word and my knowledg
are sufficient Meet me on the othe
side OF the Demon Arches. two night
hence, after dark. BE sure to bring th
money Fail to do so. and Alice hersel
will call upon your wife,
Shuddcrinc at the appalling menar,
Horace fastened the window and theI
silently praying for some way Of e:
cape. he hastened 10 unlock the dOO
of the room. 10 find his wife. cla
only In 4 loose. flimsy dressing gowi
She had tainted away.
Lifting her tenderly In his arms, b
carried her back to her own room
where he successfully applied restOra
tives.
She had awakened. it seems. In til
midst Of u dreadful dream. Sh
thought he was In danger. that sh
might lose him. that they would 500
be parted forever. And Horace. with