The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-09-20
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

ness, and spite, as she was, her SOU
was free from blood-guiltiness.
"You are guilty" she said.
II must be guilty." said mechanic
ally. What do you propose 10 do?"
II propose" she replied, in voice OF
much sweetness, "to save you"
ITO save mer' 1 exclaimed. 81 am
not fit TO live"
perhaps not" she said, dryly: "but
you have a wife and daughter. What
would your disgraceful death mean to
them?"
This reference to those dear innocent
ones whose honor was my honor,
whose shame was my shame, and who,
were I brought to the bar of justice,
would share my infamy, completely
unnamed me. A sob Of agony. es-
capped from my lips.
"Is it not worth WHILE" said Mile.
Rosalie, "to save yourself, SO that they
may be saved?"
"Yes, yes" gaspcd, seizing her hand
and looking imploringly into her face,
ITO save them from ignominy and
from lifelong sorrow. 0 God! Is 1t
possible that you will do this for me
and them?''
81 will. Hushi There is knock at
the door. Ask who's there
Her voice, as she spoke, did not rise
above whisper. I strove to utter the
words she dictated, but my tongue
clave to the roof of my mouth.
Richard! Richardv'
1t was my wife calling softly to me
from without.
"Open the door," whispered Nile.
Rosalie. II will hide behind there, !"
pointing to screen. "She will not see
me. Do not let her keep you long.
When she is gone I will show you that
you have nothing to fear"
She glided with noiseless footsteps
behind the screen, and I moved to the
door. I forgot for moment that 1t
was locked, and my wife called to me
that the key was turned. ] unlocked
the door and admitted her; but l did
not allow her to step into the middle
of the room. She was in her night
dress and well r lember that there
was a piece of Ma ow red ribbon at
her neck, which looked to ME like
blood. She told me that, waking and
finding me absent from the bedroom,
she grew anxious and came to seek me.
I responded with wandering words and
looks, and this appeared to render her
more anxious. She tenderly asked
whether ] was not well. Oh, yes,
answered, / was well, but / was en-
gagged upon a most important task.
Why had she come to disturb me? l
must be alone-alone! And still she
fingered, and continued to speak in
sweet and loving tones; and clasped me
round the neck, and kissed me; but
l pushed her from me, and bade her go
to her room and sleep.
You will come soon" she asked, So
licitously.
'I do not know, I do not know" I
muttered. II have much to do. Good
God! Do you not see how you are
distressing men'
Shortly afterward she left me, but
not before she made another effort to
soOthe NE. She smoothed my forehead
with O cambric handkerchief and put
it into my hand. saying it was clean
and cool and would refresh me- AS
she crossed the threshold l quickly
locked the door upon her, and the
handkerchief fell from my hand. Mile.
Rosalie, gliding forward from her hid
ing place behind the screen, picked it
up and tOyed with it, and made no at
tempt to take it from her. The vital
issue at stake completely engrossed
me.
1--WE are free now from intrusion,'
she said, and our business will not
take long,
"Business?" muttered. What bust
uess?'
1.-THE business OF saving your life"
she replied. Il have terms to pro-
pose" < ,%
Name them"
First" she said, and now her voice
had assumed ucw form Of malignity,
"tell me what you think l was doing
while was hiding behind the SCREEN
Doing? Nothing? ...
Not even listenins?"
"Ab, yes; you could not help doing
that"
"Of COURSE not. 1t is not to be sup
posed that would play the part of
eavesdropper unless l was compelled.
Such an Infamous woman as l am!
| That is what you called me few min
utes ago, believe. ] was liar and a
thief as well, was not! like to be
correct And but q few short hours
before that you discharged me in a
manner that would ruin the fair name
Of any lady, and Informed me that
] was not q tit associate for your wife
and daughter. And yet ! am going to
save them; yes, indeed J am, and to
save you, too! But must tell you
first what was doing while your wife
| was here. was taking down in short
hand every word that was spoken be-
| tween you. You had no idea Of the
| extent of my accomplishments, had
you? am really accomplished. Years
ago learned shorthand, and it used to
bring me in a few shillings. Oh, what