The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-02-10
COPYRIGHT. 1890, sr RenIRr poNnEn.s SONS.

sisted IN IOJlOWluS uel, "eAS oSo'h ~
the hall above, she found strength to
say:
"Is it all dream? Did that man try
to kill me?
Eyes, darling, but providence was
watching over you and you escaped.
How can I express my joy? How ut
ter my thankfulness?"
"You are not hurtT" she asked.
"You did not have any struggle with
this man?"
mo; have been in no danger; that
is, for the last few hours. The fellow
did try to poison my wine, but he was
| detected. Can you realize that, not
withstanding all his fine talk, it is he,
| and not Mr. Degraw, who has been at
the bottom of all the trouble which
has been suffered by your various
namesakesP'
"He? What do you say? Have they
found out that?"
Eyes, through Mr.. Degraw's explana-
ton. He has been very frank and
But must not trench upon his prerog-
ative. He will tell you all you wish to
know tomorrow, and, though it is hard
for me to acknowledge my error-he
crushed down his jealousy, consulted
his honor and continued bravely-T
must say that this valet Of his has
blinded more than one Of us, and that
you are exceedingly fortunate to be
under the care Of so vigilant a police.
We both owe our lives to Mr.. Byrd,
and you" ''...'. .'....:-''
But here he found 1t impossible, to
talk further. Though by this time the
various inmates Of the house had van
ished again into their rooms, to dress
and reappear again for endless gossip,
Miss Aspinwan and the servants were
drawing near, and he felt that it was
no time for him to express the hur-
dred anxious thoughts which the sig-
norina's deliverance from danger had
called forth. Besides, in honor, he
should wait till Mr.. Degraw had re-
vealed to her the position she was des-
tined to. occupy. Signorina Valdi, poor
and friendless, might feel very differ
emily from the wealthy Miss Rogers
with the world at her feet. How could
he tell but that his sympathy even
would seem superfuous to her then,
much more his love. No, whatever it
cost him, he would wait till the NOR
row had come and gone. No one should
accuse him of taking advantage of her
| weakness. She knew be loved her;
and that was enough. But ah! that
dreadful tomorrow!
Mr.. Gryce, who had accompanied
them to the upper hall, now advanced.
II consider the danger over" said he,
land yet shall watch beside Miss
Rogers door till eleven o'clock to-mor-
row morning. Have you any objection
| to;that, missf"
"Oh, no! Oh, no"' was her eager
response. II have not been afraid be-
fore, but I am now. But why till: ele-
| ven" :.
II believe you have an engagement
for that hour"
She blushed deeply and threw'a side
glance upon her companion.
| II did not know that I had spoken Of
it." she cried, naively.
No one answered, but the detective
smiled benevolently upon her.
You are very fortunate young
lady" he observed, "if villairous men
do strive to take your life
These words seemed to fix the blush
upon her cheeks, and made the refuge
of Miss Aspinwall's room, which was
now offered her by gesture Of that
lady, more than acceptable.
II do not know what all this means"
she said in withdrawal, land 1 cannot
wait to find out. Miss Aspinwa1l is
beckoning and I am only too glad to
fly to some place Of quiet, where I can
think. Goodnight, sdr. Degraw.", Her
gaze was almost lingering. Good
night and take good care of yourself,
for bound men have been known to
escape, and" She did not say what,
but her fearfu. glance toward the stair
beneath which the wretch to whom sne
alluded still lay seemed to tell some
thing of the an. 'cty that yet affected
her mind. And even after she had
passed through the door held open for
her by her friend did her last fond
look seem to say TO the earaptured
artist: Beware"
"Ahw thought he, little mindful Of
the warning itself, will che cast such
q look behind her when she knows her
self the possessor Of three millions?
Some time later, Mr.. Byrd explained
how he c1me to appear so opportunely
at the head of the back staircase. AS
you will remember he had been ap-
pointed to watch the hack windows
and side entrance Of the house. Hear
ing, about two o'clock. gentle bird
call which came not from the trees but
from the path leading up to this side
of the house, l. became suspicious
and crawled out of the arbor in which
he had concealed himself, just in time
to discern the form of a man disap-
pearing through one IF the lower win
dows into the house.
Recognizing the valet, and realizing
all that his presence in that place
meant, he rushed after him and climbed
into the same window. He found him
self in a narrow hall, and next minute
came upon a staircase yet creaking
with the assassin's stealthy tread
Mounting it more quietly than the
other had done, he came upon the
scene which we have already de-
scribed, and tkds, as far as man could
see, became the means Of deliverance