The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-29

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fate"
You saw it," said Vic; you
helped the ruffians? Well, we'll!
Butts he resurrected, sir. You'll
soon get another view of him. He
has some account to settle with you.
There's now two people on the island
bent on the same business-the girl
that lost her money and the man that
lost his wife"
The speech was prompted by an
impish desire to goad the mar who
had overwhelmed Miss Hatton with
| trouble; but \ cry escaped Trevor
that made Vic quake.
"I tell you he is dead" he fairly
shouted. Joe and Peter killed him.
What rubbish are you talking?"
"He was shot and cut, but not
killed." insisted Vic. Miss Hatton
and I have patched him up %tolerably.
I swear to you he's all right again,
sir"
Trevor's face grew CHASTITY.
"He will murder me at sight" he
groaned.
mo doubt of it, sir"
He leaned against the wall Of the
house. Drops of sweat stood on his
| face, his legs seemed to bend under
him.
"I care nothing about Miss Hat
ton," he muttered. II can crush FER
with one hand. But st. George
my God! how a mans sins pursue
him through the world! I had
thought Deadman's Island safe from
intrusion-I believed no enemy
would reach me here; see how my
stronghold has failed me! Vic, my
good girl, do you need money! Yes,
for you've a lover or the mainland
and he is poor. Raby has a skif at
| the pier-take it! You can manage
a boat-you can help me If you
will"
He tore a purse from his breast
and tried to thrust it into her hand,
but Vic repealed him.
"You want me to carry MI. st.
George off by force? Ha! Hal"
Her laughter rang shrilly on the
| night air. you must be mad, sir.
1t would take more than Raby's skif
and your money to do that"
Keep quiet, you hooking little
flendi Do you want to rouse the
house? I catch at straws, like a
| drowning man. If the boat was pro-
vided, might not st. George, of his
own will, leave the island. I will
not meet him-I cannot. I am
afraid"
vic's nose took a contemptuous
turn upward.
Bah! No man should do wicked
deeds if he has a towards heart The
work requires courage"
"I do not deny it. Great God, my
wife now loves me as little as she
loved St. George. But she shall not
leave memo! our fates are indi-
visible. Once she swore to share my
lot-she was willing and glad to
it then-she shall never break her
OATH"
A fierce, bafled passion spoke in
his voice. Vic edged suddenly away
from him. She had caught a glimpse
of his gloomy, guilty heart and she
was frightened. He did not seek to
| detain her-did not seem to perceive
her movements. She left him lean
| ing against the wall, his face as color
less as the moonlight that fell upon
| it, and, taking to her heels, she never
! stopped till she had reached the shell
ter of the woods. Half an hour later
she walked into the cave at Dragons
Nose, with her provisions and her
story. and found Jacqueline still wait
ing by the little fire.
HAS he slept?" she whispered,
with a gesture toward st. George.
Jacqueline nodded.
Here's something for his use
when he meets the island men," said
Vic, grimly, as she laid Raby's pistol
beside the sleeper. ITO think
should have to refuse the offer of a
boat tonight and a purse of money!
| Oh, Mr.. Trevor is awfully scared.
I'm sure he's going clean crazy!"
In low whispers the two girls dis
cussed the matter, then J~acqueline
said:
at is very late and we are un-
speakably tired. Come, now, Vic,
and sleep in peace. In the morning
you shall tell this new adventure to
Mr.. st. George"
Together they made a rough couch
by the fire and lay down to rest. The
last embers winked like solemn eyes;
the walls of the rock frowned darkly
around. Outside the a W the night
wind whispered mournfully in the
cedars. Vic's face was turned from
her companion, but she breathed too
lightly for slumber. Many disquiet-
ing thoughts crowded upon Jacque-
line, for awhile she also retained con-
seriousness; but weary nature con-
quered at last. She fell asleep.
A glorifed dream came to her,
She was wandering with st. George
in a green Cornish lane, full of prim-
rose and hawthorne. She could hear
from afaT the wash of the sea on the
cliffs. He was calling her name ten
derby, like a lover. But no. that was
not St. Georges voice. Some one
caught her, arm-shook it with in
siStence.
Miss Hatton!' said Vic, wake
do wake! l hate to disturb you, but
I'm very sure something dreadful is