The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-01-21
CHAPTER Ky.
G SAN DOWN.

About three weeks after the events re-
lated In the last chapter ! sat writing
In q beautiful room which my uncle
had ordered to be specially arranged
and set apart for my use for so long
q I remained his guest, when Con-
stance Unexpectedly entered and smil'
ingly handed me q letter. Having ac-
cepted the missiye and paid Its fair car
rier with that which among lovers Is
accounted coin. I moved from the table
30 q settee near the window; for no
one could have too much light who at
tempted to decipher the caligraphy Of
the Rev. MI. Price. which consisted Of
q series Of hastily scrawled symbols
without the remotest resemblance to
any known letter-in brief. that kind
Of writing which breeds errors, blinds
~eompositors, maddens proof-readers.
and moves the irritable to profanity.
Il took me at the least ten minutes
to acqualnt myself with the writer's
meaning, and while I was SO engaged
my faithful Connie sat on the floor Mt
my feet and toyed with three seQuins
which had recently been attached to
my watchchain-the Identical coins al
legged to have been found in the room
which my uncle occupied the last time
be stayed at Holdenhurst Hall.
"Can you make It all out?" asked
Connie. locking up.
All but q few words, dear" I ans
wered; and then proceeded to read the
following letter aloud:
N. -, East Fifty-ninth Street,
New York City. October q. 49,.
Dear Miss Marsh:-This day. the
eve Of my departure for England. I
have received from the worthy rector
Of Holdenhurst Major. the Rev. Mr..
Silas Fuller. my esteemed friend and
former colleague. intelligence Of a
grave nature that my Christian con.
science will not permit me to conceal
from you. though In acquainting you
herewith I incur a risk Of being cred
ited with low and personal motives.
The Rev. Mr.. Fuller informs me that
on the - ult.. IN OLD man. who had
been for many years In the service OF
Mr.. Robert Truman, died very sud.
denly, from some unexplained cause,
during an alteration with Nj. Ernest
Truman. The alteration. which was
In part overheard by another servant,
IN supposed to have related to money.
Circumstances attending the burial OF
the old butler are no less suspicious
that the manner Of his death. inter.
ment having taken place by virtue OF
q certificate given by the local doctor,
q personal friend Of the Trumans. A
few Of the more intelligent among the
Inhabitants Of Holdenhurst are ask
ing mot unreasonably. I think) why
arding various guesses as to what cir.
cumstances the Truman family desired
to conceal In avoiding SO riShtful q
course.
Though to my lasting regret there
may never be any love between US. ]
trust that my respect for your honor
and happiness Is undiminished; and
earnestly hope you may see fit to as
sure yourself. ere It be too late. Of tn,
character Of the man you have On
Gagged to marry. as I am unable t.
contemplate without the most painful
feelings your alliance with n man upol
whom rests the suspicion Of man
slaughter or worse. Believe me. dca
Miss Marsh. always your faithful
friend. EVAN fhlCE-
What q mean. spiteful fellow MI
Price Ia, to be sure" exclaimed Con
stance. 81 never liked the expression
Of that mans face, Tor his manner. bu
/ am surprised he should write sucl
q letter as that. What good can b
hope to get from it"'
sDon't you see. dear. how much b
would like to separate us? I have al
ready told you the facts upon which
he has based this letter..
Eyes, Ernest, and please don't tel
me again. RIM afraid I'm a little tiret
Of speaking and thinking about thes,
thinsse-alIuding to the seguins Mhicl