The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-02-24
CHAPTER XXX,
Continued.

1--WE do was Mr.. Degraw's earnest
reply; "nct only to expires our pleasure
at your providential escape, but Tor
another purpose, which, if unexpected
10 you, will, I hope, relieve you from
all further danger Of any such scenes
as startled you and the rest OF this
house last night You have never
been able to conjecture, dare say,
why you and others Of your name have
been subjected to perils and distresses
of no ordinary nature?"
NO" she rejoined, glancing askance
ut the artist. II have recognized the
fact, but not attempted to account fol-
it. Can it be that you can tell me"
II certainly can, Miss Rogers 1t is
because a wicked woman and a still
more wicked man have banded toGeth-
or to prevent the consummation OF q
certain act by which great property
is to be handed over to the young girl
who is fortunate enough to fulfill In
her own person certain definite condi-
tions. One Of these conditions is that
she shall have been chirstened by the
name of Jenny Rogers
"Ahw she exclaimed, shrinking back
In surprise and possible dismay. THAT
is my name, but you do not mean-you
cannot mean-"
He interrupted her with smile.
Pardon me-" said he, "but I do.
When I told you that you need not
consider yourself in any further dan
ger of personal violence from these
persons I meant that you were the cho-
sen one among these girls, and that
you are no longer simply a possible
heiress to this money. but its real pos
SCISSOR. There is. therefore, no longer
any motive remaining for inficting in
jury upon you, since your death would
10 longer benefit these conspirators,
but your heirs. Do you understand
me, Miss Rogers:"
Understand? she murmured. "You
0verwhelm NE. / the possessor OF
money? Whose money? And what
have done to earn it, and what is ex-
pected of me in return for it?'
Nothing is expected Of you,"' grave,
ly returned Mr.. Degraw. ut is yours
only through the whim of "a man now
dead. Will you hear his story? 1t
may help you to realize why should
be the chosen medium of his gener-
osity"
Il should be glad,' she responded,
but everything swins before me. !
have never had anything pleasant hap
pen TO me before, and this is pleasant,
isn't it|'
Her child-Eke look, her utter amaze
and winning helplessncss told upon
two. hearts there with almost equal
power, but the artist sat silent,
though he could not forbear letting
his heart speak through his eyes. The
other spoke, but his tone was studious-
1y friendly rather than lover-like.
YES" he replied, lit is pleasant, be-
cause, though have tho honor to hand
you this deed, by means of which, the
moment it is signed you will be made
the owner of three million dollars
worth OF property, there is nothing il
this bequest, nor in your acceptance
OF it, which should cause blush to
rise to your cheek or to mine. 1t is
simply gift made by childless maI'
to the woman vino bears the name and
possesses some Of the characteristics
OF the being he most loved"
"Oh," she cried, with flushing
cheek, will not some one call Hilary
] do not know how to bear such good
fortune alone. Three millions! Why,
it is incredible! almost refuse to be-
lieve it."
Perhaps this gentleman will help
you to do so," he smiled, indicating the
stranger who had accompanied him
''ThiS is Mr. Walden, Miss Rogers.
He is lawyer, and will explain to you
the technicalities Of this matter"
She bowed abstracted!y. She was
hooking at the deed which had been
handed to her, and scarcely seemed to
hear this introduction.
But this immense gift Is ulalc out
in your name" she declared. How is
that? You are not the donor of this
vast amount of money"
He smiled reasSuriagly, but to his
rivals watchfnI eyes there was sad
ness in his smile, as there were evi
dences of growing discouragcmcnt il
his whole manner.
NO" he assured her, II am not tht
donor; the gift is made through nc
but not by me. Let me tell you my
story before We go any further. Miss
Aspinwan can hear it later; you alone
are concerned in it now" And draw
ing her to 4 seat he took his place By
her side and began his relation in Ian
guage similar to that which he had cm
pioyed in making bis disclosures tC
the detective the night before. Sht
listened with wide open eyes, that eve!
and anon filed with tears. or which
she seemed unconscious, and w:l:n he
had finished her head sank in thought
full reverie on her breast and remained
in this position SO long that Mr.. De
graw made gesture to the lawyer
which caused him to quietly leave tue
room. AS soon as the door had closed
upon him the former ventuTed to take
her hand and say, with visible emo
ton:
II sought you out in the first place
Miss Rogers, solely for the purpose