The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1882-07-14 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

FOR MR. EGERTOE.  What  Squire Heritage, or Edward Marston as we may now again call him, leapt into a cab when he left Preene, and bade the man drive to Birnie's address. It was then close on midnight. He was playing a desperate game in venturing thus into the lion's den, but it was the last chance left him. If he could silence Egerton no might purchase a respite from Heckett even now. Heckett was evidently dying, and had no longer fear or trouble for himself. tie had escaped from the Serpentine that night, and had made Egerton the instrument of his vengeance. But the blow had not signally fallen, and he might yet stay the uplifted hand. If he could, there might be some peace in store for him. He did not care for himself. He was sick and tired of it all. His punishment was heavier than he could bear; but for Ruth's sake he would strive and struggle yet to fight against fate. Let the shame be spared to her of being a felon's wife. "Poor Ruth Noble Ruth ! " he thought. "She knows me now in all my hideous impurity, and yet she forgives me. Oh, how different things might have been!" _ . .  Ah, me ! that "might have been !" It is the anthem of the lost soul the despairing cry of the sinner caught in the toils of his sin. It was a little past midnight when Marsha rang the doctor's bell, but the lights were still burning in the house. "1 want to see Mr. bgerton, it tie is in, on important business." "He is not in yet, sir," said the servant. "lie and the doctor are at the theatre, and have not returned yet." " I will wait," said Marston, brustung past the man into the hall. "My business with him is of the utmost importance." "Wilt you step into the library, sir ?" said the servant, overawed by the manner of this imperious visitor. Marston followed the servant, who turned up the lights and left him. lite evening papers, unfolded, were lying on the table. Marelon picked up one casually and glanced along the columns. Suddenly his eye was arrested by a name, and he read the paragraph carefully. It was headed "A Message from the Sea," and ran as follows : " This morning, as some fishermen were off tho omit of —, one of them picked up a bottle which %ad floating past them and brought it ashore. On opening it it was found to contain a piece of paper, en which was something written in pencil, of which the following words only are deciphexable, the salt water having soaked through a faulty cork and obliteiated the remainder : " ' On board the "'The ship is sinking rapidly. I, Gurt' eni about to die, do solemnly declare tha 01 September, 18—, I gabbed my cousin, Ra house kept by a man named Heck I freely make this confession, an "The bottle with its contents has been handed to the police, though it is doubtful if any clue will ever be obtained to the meaning of this extraordinary message from the sea." Yes to one man there was a clue. Edward Marston read each word, and it seemed as though Providence had sent the message to him. Ills pale face glowed, his sunken eyes gleamed He had Garth Egerton's life in his hand Let him come now—he was ready. lie saw it all. When the Bon Espeir was sinking, Egerton, with the terrors of death upon him, had hurled this into the sea ; it had floated about for years, to be cast ashore now—now, when such a revelation placed the murderer at the mercy of the man he would injure. Marston's suspicions were confirmed. He had always suspected that Ralph Egerton had met with foul play. lie could hardly believe that the paper he held in his hand was real—that he was not the victim of some nightmare, from which he would presently awake. While he eat staring at the paper, and reading it again and again, there came a ring at the bell. Marston folded the paper and threw it back in its place. The next moment Gurth Egeiton came into the