The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-01-12
CHAPTER XVIII.

hau need or haste. My head was In Il
whlrl. So Frances Holiday was not
really the daughter Of the dead million.
aire! The thought compelled COM
plete readjustment of my point OF
view.
We had reached the beach again, AMI
We turned along it in the direction Of
the cli9A.-,Far ahead l saw man hur-
rytng In the same direction, I could
guess Mt what agony and danger to
himself The path began to ascend
and we painted UP 1t to the grassy
down which seemed to stretch for
miles and miles to tho northward.
Right before us was n little wood, in
the midst Of which 1 caught glimpse
OF farmhouse.
We ran toward 1t, through q gate and
up the path to the door. 1t was closed,
but we heard from within mans ex-
cited voice, resonant voice which
knew well. tried the door. It Yield
ed, and we stepped into the hall. The
voice came from the room at the right.
1t was no time for hesitation. We
sprang to the door and entered.
Martigny was standing In the middle
or the floor, fairly foaming Mt the
mouth, shrieking out commands and
imprccations at two women who cow
cred In the farther corner. The elder
one knew ut glance; the younger
my heart leapcd as looked at her
was 1t Nils Holladay? No, yet strange
ly like
lie saw their startled eyes turn past
him to us and swung sharply round.
EOr Instant hp
serpent about to strike; then saw his
eyes fix in Il frightful stare, his face
turned livid, and with stranglcd cry
he fell back and down. Together we
lifted him TO the low window seat, pur-
src"s :nl pursued alike. looscncd his
collar, chafed his hands. bathed his
temples. did everything we could think
OF doing, but lie lay there staring Mt
), The ceiling with clinchcd teeth. At last
E3ycc bent and laid his ear against his
breast
1T Is no use" Ec said. 'IIc is dead"
, looked to see them vince under the
-blnw. Pill. They cdiu not. Tne younger
woin:;n went SLOWLY to the window and
stood there so.!h.ng quietly: the others
face 1t l., with u positive blaze Of Joy.
so" size exclaimed in that low, vi
brant voice I SO we'll rcmcmbcred-"so
he Is Gcadn'
Royce gazed ut her n moment in as
tonishmen.
'"Mmc. .tiix," lie said at last, you
know our GRAND"
She bowed her head.
II know It, monsieur" she answered.
But for lin there would have been
no such crrand. AS 1t Is. 1 will help you
all I can. Cecile," she called to the
woman at the window, "go and bring
your sister to these gentlemen"
The younger woman dried her eye
and left the room.
Celeste came In slowly. listlessly. !
gave me shock to see the pallor OF Il,
face. I1en she glanced UP and sa
Royce standing there She drew l.
her BREATH with a quick gasp, Il grea
wave Of color swept over her cheek
and brow, great light sprang into he
eyes.
'Oh, Jonr' she cried and swayed to
ward him.
Z lie had her in bis arms, against his
heart. and the glad tears sprang to
my eyes as looked Mt them.
And have come to take you away.
my lo"e," he was saying.
"Oh, yes; take ire away" she sobbed.
She stopped, her eyes on the window
seat, where 1.-The other" lay, and the
color died out of her checks again
"He, at least, hns paid the penalty"
said Royce
She was sobbing helplessly upon his
shoulder, but as the moments passed
she grew more calm and Mt last stood
upright from him. The younger wom-
, nm had come back into the room and
was watching her curlously.
"Come. let us 60" said the girl.
But Royce held back.
There has been a crime committed"
~sbc said slowly. I'VE must see that It
Is punished"
"a crime? Oh. yes; but l forgive
them, dear"
'"The crime against yourself you may
forgive, but there was another crime
murder.
'There was no martier!' burst In
Cecile Alix. 81 swear 1t to you, mon
sieur. Do You understand
saw Miss Holiday Vince at the
others voice, and Royce saw 1t too.
T must get her to the inn," he said.
"stay and get the story. Lester. Then
we'll decide what IL is best to do"
He led her away. out Of the housa
and down the path, not once looking
back. 1 watched them till the trees hid
them, and then turned to the women.
Now" said, II shall be happy to
hear the story
1T was that man yonder who was
the cause>UetAt, all. .8-beean the. mother.
clasping her hands tightly In her lap
to keep them still. 1Four years ago he
came from Paris here to spend the