The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-09-06

was murdered without shudder. !
told her what I had learned from the
detective of the condition of Samuel
Fleetwood; and she whispered that it
would be merciful if he were to die
before his trial, and that she hoped and
prayed he would die repentant.
I did not share her hope that Fleet
wood would die in prison. 1t was my
wish that he should be brought to trial
and found guilty; after that I should
be content that he should die before
the just sentence Of the Law was car
ried out. But at the prison my ine1ora-
BILE wish melted into thin air; it was
destroyed by a higher than human
judge-Samuel Fleetwood was dead!
"He died quite peacefully, sir" said
the inspector, with a smile upon bis
lips. He must have been in a queer
state of mind after what he did, to say,
almost with his last breath, I 60 to
join my beloved wife!"
"Did he make no further confession"'
I asked, confounded BY the news.
II believe he did, SIR" replied the
inspector; "the clergyman will produce
it at the inquest, which must, Of course,
be held on him. When he left the
prison I understood he was going to
your house"
1--WE did not meet him." said, look
ing helplessly around; I'VE came
straight here"
"It's no use worrying, sir" said the
inspector. with Fleetwood's confes-
sion and death there is an end of the
affair.""
Nodding, I retraced my steps, and
on the lawn in front Of my house /
was accosted by Mile. Rosalie.
"a clergyman has been here to see
you, SIR" she said, "and let this packet
for you"
I took it from her hands and would
have passed on, but there was some
thing in her face which awoke within
me in the fullest force the feelings OF
disapproval I had long entertained to-
ward her.
mile. Rosalie," I said, II am about
to exercise IN authority which properly
belongs to my..wife."
Indeed, sir" she said, raising her
eyes to my, face with sly meekness.
1T will be agreeable to me, made
moiselle. if you will regard your SER
vice in my establishment at an end"
do you discharge me, sir" she
asked, with a placid smile.
If it was her purpose to anger me,
she succeeded. Il discharge you," ]
said, with a wrathful look.
"Not suddenly and Immediately, sir"
"Yes, suddenly and Immediately"
But it is almost dark, sir, and to be
thrust from your house so abruptly
would ruin my reputation"
"You shall leave my house to-mor-
row." I said. After tomorrow you
shall not sleep in it another night"
do you forget, sir, that I am to be
one of your daughters bridesmaids"'
Il forget nothing that has occurred
1t is my opinion that you are not fiji
associate for my wife or my daughter"
"In point of character, sir?'
"In point Of everything"
"That is shocking thing to say tc
a virtuous woman" she said, slowly
and with marked emphasis. "But ]
wonder who will be the first to leave
this house-you or Il"
She glided away, leaving me in
state of the bitterest resentment
against her for her impudent words
But 1 would not waste further time
upon her. 1t was necessary that J
should ascertain without delay what
the packet contained which the clergy
man had left me. I went to my study,
lit the gas, and opened the packet.
The first thing which attracted me
was an unsealed letter from the clergy
man, which / proceeded to read:
Go be Continued.1