The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-11-17

80
are not laboring under some mis-
take?"
Her lips curled.
Am I sure that my father died
ruined and a suicide?-that my sis
ter and I are homeless and penniless?
Oh, yes, Philip Trevor, 1 am very
sure?"
She was, indeed, a girl of spirit.
The fact that she was far from
friends and helpless, alone in this
mans house, on an isolated island,
OF which he was sole owner and
ruler, could not daunt J%acqueline.
my father trusted you, and you
destroyed him." she said. You are
hiding in a strange, wild place, Philip
| Trevor. Does John Hatton's money
never intrude here"-his ghost never
walk? Is Deadman's Island far
! enough, to hold him at bay? For
! years you have kept your booty
the fortune of two girls, whom you
made orphans. The law could not
touch you, and no one cared to fol-
low you to your lair and denounce
you as a thief and a murderer. But
now you will no longer remain IN
disturbed. While l live you shall
know no more peace"
She had not meant to begin the in
terview with an open declaration of
; war; but her natural impetuosity car
! ried her beyond the bounds Of pru-
| dence. A disdain of half measures
overmastered her-led her to define
her position recklessly. The words
were not out, however, when She
thought of Doris, and tears rushed to
her eyes.
IT have no diplomacy" she said, IN
a deeply chagrined tone. my sister
Isl not like me-she is so gentle n
forbearing. For Doris sake, give up
my fathers money!
l. His face had grown absolutely
livid. He raised n hand involun-
tarily to his head. ~
Great Heaven! you have provoked
a return of my vertigo! Miss Hat
ton, your father was as dear to me
! as a brother; but you accuse me OF
| robbing and numbering him, and SO
| force me to make counter charges,
which you will not like to hear. If
you ask why / have not told the truth
before, I shall answer-because John
Hatton persuaded me long ago to
S.. e silence. And to shield him, I
am still living an exile, a hermit, my
name disgraced, all sorts of appro-
brium heaped upon mel" He paused
and wiped his face with his handker-
! chief.
Explain your words!" said JAG
queline, coldly.
"I will. Your father was a born
gambler. His passion for play
amounted to a mania. To crafty 1t
he not only ruined himself but me
also. When Hatton lost heavily at
the gaming table, my purse supplied
his needs. He borrowed Of me till
my private resources were badly Grip
pied. I alone knew his secret--even
your mother never guessed it. His
indulgence of the vice was concealed
| even from his nearest and dearest.
As I could not reclaim him, 7 did the
next best thing-held my tongue
He stopped to cough nervously.
Jacqueline's eyes seemed piercing
him like swords.
go on" she commanded.
"tOf course, the hour came when
! exposure could no longer be avoided.
Then Hatton's conscience awoke. He
babe me take the money and securi-
ties that remained to III and leave
him to make a full public confession,
and face the situation alone. 1t was
my weak hour. 1 was madly in love
with a charming woman, who fully
returned my affection. Unfortunate
~ for my good name, I yielded to
your fathers opportunities. But he
was a coward at heart. He found
death easier than confession. Upon
ny departure he, quite lost his head
accused me of robbing him, blamed
me for all that had happened, and
then ended everything with a pistol
shot. His death, needless to say,
sealed my ruin. After that event who
would believe in my innocence?
Moreover, I scorned to bring charges
against a dead man-to say, John
Hatton's fortune vas not stolen, but
spent by himself at the gaming table
No, I remembered u long friend
ship, and preferred to suffer rather
than drag his name in the dirt. An,
my poor child, not only am I guilt
less of defrauding your father, but
.e died deeply in debt to mel"
1t was a long speech. He looked
"""rowly at Jacqueline, as though
surfing its effect upon her. A spot
'7dignant red leaped into her
~ father a gambler" she cried.
60 not believe your story, sir-1
,annot!"
Your incredibly docs you credit:
1t is difficult for a daughter to CON-
prehend a fathers sins"
by what proofs do you support
your statements?"
"Proofs." he echoed, irritabiy.
"Oh, l might know that a girl of your
stamp would demand proofs! Well,
they shall be forthcoming as O O as
1 have time to search ny private pa
pcs. Meanwhile. let lis understand
each other. Miss Eattor. what do
you expect me to do?"
1T b,,a ,Iro,1v tol6 Won Roctorp