The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-06-28
of sight she stood Mt the window, men.

Of sight she stood Mt the window, men
tally following and sorrowing for It
The clock struck again. Half-past
one. She let the blind fall, and sat
at the table, with the open book before
her. .
Why was it that as she sat, with her
head resting on her hand, the love for
her sisters lover, which she had
striven so hard to kill, should once
more rise within her to torture her?
She would not permit it-no. she
would not think of him in that way.
It was a sin against love itself-it
was a sin against God!
She shook her head angrily, and her
Y e wandered round the room as II
seeking for strength to conquer this
enemy.
Presently she sank on her knees, and
with her face buried in her hands on a
chair, prayed with all the might OF
her bruised and innocent heart to be
forgiven for the sin.
And prayer brought comfort to her.
Gradually she besame more composed.
and closed her eyes, not intending to
sleep. but the fatigue Of the day, and
Of many previous days, told on her.
and with a prayer in her mind she fell
asleep.
The striking of the clock as it struck
two, then half past, did not awaken
her.
What was it. then. that seemed to
stop the beating Of her heart and at
the same time aroused her to con-
sciousness?
There was something moving in the
house! Where did the sound come
from? From the sleeping rooms OF
Saranne or Mr.. Deepdale?
No; the sound proceeded from below.
Could it be that while she slept Thom-
as Dexter had returned?
If so, what motive had he in creep
ing up the stairs so slowly and eau
tiously, as though he was a thief?
Nearer, nearer came the sound OF
mufaed footsteps! Terror transfxed
her; she could not move; she tried to
call out, but her voice stuck IN her
throat.
Nearer, nearer it came; the creeping
mystery was in the passage outside!
Its hand was on the handle OF the
door, which slowly, slowly opened, and
the Horror stood before her!
It was the form Of a man, with
black Grape over his face. He saw
her, and glided swiftly to her side and
grasped her shoulder as she knelt.
Don't move! Don't stir! Don't
raise your voice."
And she knew that this midnight
thief was Foxey.
With this knowledge her courage re.
turned, her voice was restored.
"For Gods sake, what brings you
here?"
"You," he answered, drawing the
Grape from his face; "but I didn't think
to find yer up"
She thrust his hand from her shout.
der, and rose to her feet, but spoke,
as he spoke, in a whisper.
"And now that yer have found me
up kill me, and go"
She held her arms outstretched, and
waited for the blow.
"No," he said, slowly, "t amt you
I've come to kill; but I'll have the life
Of two afore I go. After that 1 don't
care what becomes of me-"
what two? Do you hear? What
two? You wicked monster! What two?
Are yer too.much Of a coward to an
swer me-"
"Call me what yer like; it don't mat
ter. I love yer, Make-Beliere, and no
man shall have yer but me. What
two? Yer two lovers. I'll Kill 'em,
and swing for it"
"My two lovers"
Eyes, yer two lovers-old Dexter and
young Walter D~eepdale."
Then she knew that she was safe
and that she held him i'll her power.
"My lovers! Mine! Mr.. De1ter's got
a wife living-no, not living-dying as
we stand here, and he's gone to see her
on this blessed Christmas night, for
the last time! He arksed me to be his
daughter not two hours ago, and he's
got no feeling for me that a father
mightn't have for his child. Oh, Fox
ey, Foxey, that you should think me
so bad and so mean as to take up with
a man who's got one foot in the
grave"
II believe yer; I'll let him pass. But
the other one-Walter Deepdale; yer
can't say as much for him."
II can say more for him. He's my
sisters lover, and they're going to get
married. Look me in the face and see
for yerself if I'm telling lies"
He gazed at her steadily; he saw the
truth in her eyes.
"And he don't love yer, Make-Be-
lever"
To be continued.