The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-08-24


She became pale, and appeared to
hardly have the power to stand.
"You will receive letter tomor-
row. said the postman, reassuringly.
"Its being a day late is easily ex-
plained.'
no. 7 cannot understand my hus-
bands silence. You know he left two
months ago for the town. He
went about some business which
would bring him a large sum Of mon
ev. It concerned a little heritage
which had fallen to him. But all that
is arranged. and he was to return this
evening. Tomorrow the neighborng
farm is to be sold, and I know he
had decided to purchase it. It is an
opportunity which will not occur
again, but I should thousand times
rather that he missed it, than return
without his letting me know when he
would come'
"Wky?' asked the postman aston
ished.
HBecause | know some one has
some evi, designs against him, and al
night one may easily receive al un-
lucky blow. You know there are two
roads from the market town here,
One is the longer. but safer. | am
afraid that he will return by the
burned mill. because he has some one
to see that way
The postman tried to calm her
fears. She shook her head.
Then she continued: "lt's not only
because my husband will travel in a
dangerous place with money that l
am afraid and tremble, but rather be-
cause there is in the neighborhood
wretch who desires nothing so
much as to put six feet of earth be-
! tween u.s.
The postman looked at her with
disturbed face.
''This hatred is not new,' she add
ed. "When I was young girl this
man wished to marry me, but l. re-
fused him. He has never forgiven
me nor my husband. He is annoyed
! that we live comfortably. That IS not
all. A crime has recently been CON-
mitted. I possess the proofs, and the
guilty man knows it. That is dam
eerous secret for a woman to hold
with only children about her. Yes
terday this man accosted me. ala
not conceal my disdain, and ne sa"
that he was unmasked in my eyes.
Then he insulted and threatened me.
T was indiscreet enough to tell him
that when my husband returned ana
he had a man before him he would
be less arrogant. If you knew What
look he gave me, what ann express
sion of hatred his features wore! L
know he has often been seen at night
wandering among the ruins OF the
burned mill. If my husband came
that way! If this man suspected It,.
7 tell Won Martin, he is lost"
HWhat is the name Of this rascal?
"Jean Bruno. .
Tie postman remained silent. He
remembered having heard the inn
keeper call the man he had met by
that name. He wondered then, with
affright. if the letter had not been
stolen from him. But he felt sure
that he had not remembered seeing
it. He promised her that he would
60 to greet her husband on his ar
rival at the market town, and warn
him to be careful. Then he hastened
to depart.
Unfortunately, his round that day
was exceptionally long, and the bad
weather retarded him. He arrived a
little later than usual at the office and
Immediately questioned the postmls-
/ tresS.
She answered that she was sure ne
had taken letter addressed to Mad
am Andre. and a colleague confirmed
the declaration.
This was a thunderbolt for him.
His trouble increased as he recollect-
ed that many times some one had
called at the moment when the mails
were received and opened. to ask II
there was anything for Madam Andre.
! He flew rather than ran to the
coach Office. where he was Informed
tnnt GEORGE Andre had arrived. and
had set of on foot for bis home.
The poStman was much a"itated at
49,; r.%S. The ?ro<i:r~; ":' < .";:;<-
trn::e for which he Wa< responsible