The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, January 11, 1888, Image 1

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"Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Couatry's, thy God s and Truth's " -.-.-:-: -- THIS TKCE SOUTHRON, Established Jbfc^ it?4 SUMTER, S. C., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY ll, 1888. New Series-Yoi. VII. No. 22. BT N. GL ?STEEN, S?MTEK, S. C. TKBMS: ?^SvaBoliars^er annum-io advance. 4DT8RTISJJK5?S, . 0*Q Sqoare, first insertion......^.$1 00 ?rerj subsequent insertion.................. 50 -Contracts for three months, or longer will b* made at reduced rates. i^?ommaokat?oQs-wb?cb subserve private . Interests will be ch&rge? Vor as advertisements. Obituaries and tribu ?es of respect will be charsred for. mu mm. See our $8.00 and $10.00 - Cloaks, reduced to $5.00. -Ml Wool Flannel Dresses 22 to 54 inches, at greatly reduced prices. Trimmings to suit. AU our best Calicoes, form? erly ak7a,-now reduced to 5c. ; these not only in Fancies, but in best Black and Mourning styles. Ladies' Linen Collars at 60c. a dozen. / Do not forget to see our Dress Clasps? 10c. to 25c, worth 50 and 75. Hamburg Edgings, 5 and 10, Worth 10 and 15c. Breakfast Shawls at 15 cts. Don't fail , to look at our Kenmant Basket. Do you wan't a Bustle ? All stjrles to be had here. ? Jerseys from 50c. to $3.00. Poll Line of ? ftwfc IMercMe?s M Hosiery. trill close out our "all Wool ?)ean Suits" at $9.00 : pnce at beginning of season was $12.00. Youths' of same at $7.00. Big reduction in Overcoats ; try them on. All CLOTHING . going at greatly reduced prices. Nice Hats, and oh* how Low ! OUR SHOE DEPARTMENT Is fuH of Bargains. We have Sioes that will do you some /service. ^Pbese oods must be sold, so We have marked them down WAY BELOW VAI??E. Just -marked down, an Ele? gant lot of Ladies Hhoes, from $2.50 to $1.99. This is not a chestnut We have lots of other Bar? gains in ALL Departments, in? cluding . GROCERY, but our space forbids further details. Be f?re you buy be sure and get the prices from ALTAMONT MOSES. N. ?. Cor. Mata and Liberty Sts. Kor. 1? NOTICE. Scarrsa, S. C., Nor. 15, 1887. TK ACCORDANCE WITH THE RE X quirements of Seet?oo 5170, Revised Stat? utes of the United States, the following Char? ier of "The Simonds National Bank of Sum? ter," is published for the information of ail concerned. R. M. WALLACE, Vice President. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF CoMrraoLLsa OF THE CCRREKCT, W?SHI??CTO??, November 8th, 1887. ?Whereat, bj satisfactory evidence presented to the undersigned it has been made to appear that "The Simonds National Bank of Sum? ter," in the Town of Somier, in the County of Straiter, and State of Sonth Carolina, bas complied with all the provisions of the St at? ti tes of tbe United States, required to be com? plied with'before .an association shall be au? thorized to commence the business of Bank lng: lbw therefore, I, Jesse D. Abrahams, Deputy ?nd acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that "The Simoods National Bank of Sumter," in the Town of Sumter, in the County of Sumter, and State of South Carolina, is authorized to commence the bus? iness of Bankiog as provided in Section fifty? one hundred and sistv-nine of the Revised S ta to tes of the United States. In testimony whereof witness my hand and Seal of office this 8th day of fL.S.] November, 1887. J. D. ABRAHAMS, Deputy and Acting Comptroller of the Currency. No. 3809. EOT. IS_ ?>. H. Folsom. X.. W. Folsom. fe H. FOLSOM & B?0., Established in 1868. -Dealers ia TBV&TCHES, CL0C2S, STEELING SILVER and PLATED WARE, j .Jewelry, Optical Goods, Gold Pew, Pencils, Machine "Needles, &c. Eepairmg promptly done and warranted by practical workmen. ? Ofdjwr from the country; will receive our ?arefnlattsntipc. Try us. ' ' pw POWDER Absolutely Pure. This powder never varies. A marvel or purity, strength and wholesomeness. More j economical than the ordinary kinds, and can- ? bot be sold ia competition with the^?ttl?tude of low test, short weight, al am or phosphate powders. Sold only in cans. ROYAL.-BAK ING POWDER CO., 106 Wall-st., N. Y. HOLIDAY GOODS -AT- " RUCK BOTTOM PRK, WE ARE NOW OFFERING A LARG; Li XE OF Fancy Groceries, And Nick Nacks for the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. .t -Jn baijing'ylon will .-^. i ' SAVE MONEY 3y calling on us before placing your orders. We have the Largest Assortment of FAffCY' CRACKERS Ever offered in this City. These are Goods of the very best make. CAMED" GOODS Are of ioe most celebrated Brands, and they are all Guaranteed. WE ARE SELLING 21b. Cans Tomatoes. ?1 05 per Doz. 31b. Cans Tomatoes,, very fine, ?1.4? per Doz. Salmon, 15 and 20 cts. per can. liest imported Sardines, ^2 10 per Dz OUR Point Lace Flour Which is the best on the market, $6.10 per. bbl., or 90 cts.. for 25 ios. RAISINS, CITRON. CURRANTS AND MACE. We are handling very largely. ? You will do wei! to call on us and get Our Prices before buying. In connection with our Grocery Stock, ?> handle a full line of BEY GOO?S, NOTIONS, Shoes and Hats, Which we are Selling at ROCK BOTTOM PRICES. Whips. Whips, Whips* A job lot of Whip- at,65 cts., worth any time ?1 50. Come and See ITs Now. i;.ur.? IUGIUK, Next to C. E. Stubbs' Office. Dec. 14_ TAX RET?l?S FOR KETURNS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY and Polls will he recieved at the follow? ing times and places : Tiooall's Store. Tuesday,january 3. Broom Hill. Wednesday, January 4. Wedgefield, Thursday, January 5. Stateburg, Friday, January 6. Gordon's Mill, Friday, January 6. Magnolia, Monday, January 9. Mayesvtl?e, Tuesday; January 10. Johnson's Store, Wednesday, Jan? uary ll Shiloh, Thursday, January 12. Lynchburg, Friday. January 13. Reid's Mill, Mouday, January 1G. Bishopville, Tuesday and Wednes? day, January 17 and 18. Mannville, Thursday, January, 19. Smithville, Friday. January 20. Mechanicsville, Saturday, January 21. Providence, Wednesday, January ll. Sanders* Djpot, Wednesday, Janu? ary 18. Reroberfs Store, Rafting Creek Township, January 19. AND At thc Auditor's office in Somier, from the 23d of January to the 20th of February in? clusive. Parties making Return? bj mail or by another person will -please give full first name of Taxpayer and the Township the Droper ty is in. W. R. DELGA ?"I, Nov. 30 Auditor Sumter County. ALL ABOARD! FOR TEE CELESTIAL CITY ? ALL RIGHT! NOW ! We would be glad to help you on the way rejoicing, by supplying you with a choice Family Bible, any style and price: twenty-two dollars, down to a complete, substantial, and beau? tiful Bible for only three dellars and fifty cents. My addrc??, Mayesvilie, S. G. Yours faithfully, HARVEY W. BAKER. Dec 21 o By WILKIE COLLINS. THE FIRST 3*ART. rCCXTIXUED.l ' CHAPTER XXII. Having closed and secured the door on Lady Moutbarry's departure, Agnes put on her dressing gown, and, turning to her open boxes, began the business of unpacking. In the hurry of making her toilet for dinner she had taken the first dress that lay uppermost in the trunk and had thrown her traveling costume- on the bed. She now opene# the doors of the wardrobe for the first time and began to hang her dresses on the hooks lathe large compartment on one side. _ , : ~? V* After a few minutes only of this occupation she grew weary of it and decided"bii-l?avr?g the trunks as they were "until the next morn? ing. The oppressive south wind which had blown throughout the day still prevailed at night. The atmosphere of the room felt close; Agnes threw a shawl over her head and shoulders, and opening the window stepped into the balcony to look at the view. The night was heavy and overcast; nothing could be distinctly seen. "Leaning on the parapet of the balcony, Agnes looked vacantly into the black void beneath. Her thoughts reverted to the mis? erable man who had broken his pledged faith to her and who had died in that house. Some change seemed^ to have come over her since her arrival in Venice; some new influence appeared tobe at work. For the first time in her experience of herself compassion and regret were not tho only emo? tions aroused in her by tho remembrance of tho dead Montbarry. A keen sense of the wrong that she had suffered, never yet felt by that gentle and forgiving nature, was felt by it now. She found herself thinking of the by gone days of her humiliation almost as harshly as Henry Westwick had thought of them-she who had rebuked him the last time be had^spoken slightingly of his brother in her presence! A sudden fear and doubt of herself 'startled- her physically as well as morally. She turned from the shadowy abyss of the dark water, as if tho mystery and the gloom of it had beeh answerable for the emo? tions which had taken her by surprise. Abruptly closing the window, she threw aside her shawl and .lit the candles on the mantel? piece, impelled by a sudden craving for light fit the solitude of her room The cheering brightness round her contrast? ing with the black gloom outside, restored'her spirits. She felt herself enjoying, the light like a'childi. ? Would it be w-ell (she asked herself) to get ready for bed? No! Tho sense of drowsy fatigue that she had felt half an hour since was going. She returned to the dull employ? ment of unpacking her boxes. After a few ?minutes only the occupation became irksome to iier once more. ' She sat down by the table and took up a guide book. "Suppose I inf orm myself,75 sile thought, "on the' subject of Venice?' Her attention wandered from the book be? fore she had turned th?") first page of it. The image of Hemy Westwick was thc present image in her memory now. Recalling the minutest incidents and details of the eve? ning, she could think of nothing which pre? sented him under other than a favorable and interesting aspect. She smiled to heiseif softly, her color rose by fine gradation as she felt the full luxury of dwelling on the per? fect truth and modesty cf Ins devotion to her. Was the depression pi spirits from which sue had suffered so persistently on her travels at? tributable, by any chance, to their long sepa? ration from each other-imbittered, perhaps, by her own vain regret when she remembered her rash reception of him in Paris? Suddenly conscious of this bold question and of thc self abandonment which it implied, she returned mechanically to her book, startled by the un? restrained liberty of her own thoughts. U" hat lurking temptations to forbidden tenderness find their hiding places m a woman's dressing gown, when sue is alone in her room at night! With her heart in the tomb of the dead iiont barry, could Agnes even think of another man and think of love? Kow shameful! how unworthy of her! For tho second time she tried ter interest herself in. tho guide book and once more she tried in vain. Throwing the book aside she turned desperately to tho one resource that was left, to her luggage resolved to fatigue herself without mercy until she was weary enough and sleepy enough to find safe refuge in bed. For some little time she persisted in the monotonous occupation of transferring her clothes fronrtbe trunk to the wardrobe. Tho large clock iu the hall, striking midnight, re? minded her that it was getting late. She sat down for a moment in an arm chair by the bedside to rest, The silence in the house now caught her ' attention and held it-held it disagreeably, i Was everybody in bed and asleep but herself i Surely it was time for her to follow the gen- ! eral example? With a certain irritable, nervous haste sae rose and again undressed herself.. "I have lost two hours of rest," she . thought, frowning at the reflection of herself in tho glass, as s?e arranged her hair for tha night. "I shall be good for nothing to-mor- j row !" She lit the night light ?nd extinguished the j candles-with one exception; which she re- ! moved to a little table glaced on the side o? " i the bed opposite to the side occupied by tb<r arm chair. Having put her traveling box of ' matches and the guide book near the candia in case she might be sleepless and might want to read, she blow out tho light and laid her head on the pillow. Tho curtains of the bed were looped back to let the air pass freely over her. Lying on ber ieft side, with her face turned away from the table, she could see tho arm: chair hythe dim night light. It had a chintz covering- ! representing large bunches of roses scattered : over a pale green ground. She tried to wear}- herself into drowsiness by counting over and over again the bunches of roses that were visible from her point of view. Twice her attention was distracted from thc count? ing by s> ?undi outside*-by the clock chiming the half hour past 12; end then again by tba ; fall of ri pair of boots on the upper ?uer, : thrown out to be cleaned, and with tbat bar? barous disregard uf tho -comfort of others which is observable iii humamty when it in? habits nu hotel. In :he silence that followed these passing disturbances Agnes went on counting the roses on the ann chair more and more slowly. Before Jong she confused her? self in the figures-tried to begin counting again-thought slio would wait a little tirst felt her eyelids drooping and her head sulk? ing lower and lower on thc pillow-sighed faintly-and sunk into sieep. Hov.- lojig that first sleep lasted she never kn?'w. She could only remember in tho after time that she woke instantly. Every faculty and perception in her passed" the boundary line between insensibility a??d consciousness, so to- speak, at a leap. With- " out knowing why she sri: up suddenly in the b^d, listening for she knew not what. Her head was in a whirl: her heartbeat furiously, without any assignable cause. .But one trivial event had happened during tile inter? val while she had been asleep. Tho night light had gone cur, and the room, as a matter of course, was in total darkness. She felt for the inarch box, and paused after finding it. A vague sense of confusion was still in her mind. She was in no hurry . to light thc match. The pause in the dar!: ness was, strange!}* enough, agreeable to her. Di tho quieter flow of her thoughts during this interval she could ask herself the natural question: Whatcanse bacf awakened her so suddenly, and had so strangely shaken her nerves' Had ir been the influence of adrea:1.!? Sho had not ureamed at all-or, to speak j more correctly^be had no waking remera.- j brance of having dreamed. The mystery was beyond her fathoming; the darkness began to oppress her. She stmck the match on the j box and lit her candle. As the welcome light di?Tused o^*er the room I she turne?! from the table and looked toward the other side of the bed. Li the moment when she turned the chill of a sudden terror gripped her round thc heart, ; as with the clasp of an icy hand. , She was not alone in her room I There-in the chair at th9 bedside-there. suddenly revealed under tho flow of light from the candle, was the figure of a woman reclining. Her head lay back over the chair. Her face, turned up to the ceiling, had the eyes closed, as if she was wrapped in n deep ?sleep. * ' The shock of thc discovery held Agnes speechless and helpless. Her first conscious action when she was in some degree mistress of herself again1 was to lean.over the bed and to look closexat the? woman who had so in? comprehensibly stolen into*her room in tho dead of night. One glance was enough; she started back with a cry of amazement The person in tte chair was no other than tho widow of the dead Kontbarry-tho woman who had warned her that they were to meet again, and that the place might be. Venice! Her courage returned to her, stung into action hythe natural sense of indignation which the presence of the countess provoked. One glance ica$ enough. - "Wake'up!" she called cut. "How dare you come here? How did you get in? Leave the room, or? will call fer help!75 . She-raised her voice at the last words. It I produced no effect. Leaning further over j the bed she boldly took tao countess by tho j shoulder and shook her. Xot even this effort j succeeded in rousing the sleeping woman, j She still lay back in tho chair, possessed by a j torpor lite the torpor of death-insensible to sound, insensible to touch. Was she really sleeping? Or bud she fainted? Agues looked closer ?it her. She had not j fainted. Uer breathing was audible, rising j and falling, in deep, hoary gasps. At inter- | vais she ground her teeth savagely. Beads of. j perspiration stood "thickly on her forehead. ? Her t?mense! hands rose and fell slowly from j time to time on 'her lap. Was she in the j agony of a dream? or was she spiritually con? scious of something hidden in the room? The doubt involved in that last question was unendurable. Agnes determined to rouse the servants who kept watch in the hotel n't night. The bell handle was fixed to the wall on the side of the bed by which tho table stood. Shu raised herself from tho crouching posi? tion she had assumed in looking close ac the countess, and. turning toward the other side or" the bed, stretched oat her hand to the bell. At the sume instant she stopped and looked upward? Her baud fell helplessly at her side. She shuddered, and sunk back on the pillow. What had she seen? Sh- had seen another intruder in her room. Midway between her and tho ceiling there hovered a human head-severed at the neck, like a head struck from the body by the guillo? tino. Nothing visible, nothing audible, had given her warning of irs appearance. Silently and j suddenly, the head had. taken its place above her. . ~>o 'supernatural change had passed over the room, or wa? perceptible in it. now. The dumbly tortured figure in the chair: the broad window opposite the foot of the bed, with the black night beyond it; the candle burning on the fable-these, and ail other ob? jects in the room, remained unaltered. One object more, unutterably horrid, had bern added to the rest. That was tho only change -no more, no less. By the yellow candle lightshe saw thc head distinctly hovering in mid air above her. She looked at ii steadfastly, spellbound .by the terror that held her. The flesh of the face was gone. The shriv? eled skin -var. darkened ia hue, like tue skin of an Egyptian mummy-except at tho neck. There it was of a lighter color; there it showed spots mid splashes oi tho uue of tba; brown spot on the csihug. which the child'v fanciful terror had distorted into the like? ness of o spot of blood. Thin rem ins of a discolored mustache and whiskers, hanging over the upper lip, and over the hollow* where tue checks had once been, made tho head just recognizable as' the head of a man. Over all tau features death and time hail done their obliterating work. The ej-elids were closed. Tlie hair on thc skull, discolored like the hair on the face,-had been burned away in places. Tho bluish lips, paited in a fixed grinf showed the double row of teeth. By slow degrees tho hovering head (perfectly still when she first saw it) began to descend toward Agnes as she lay beneath. By slow degrees that strange, doubly blended odor which the commissioners had discovered in the vaults of the old palace-which bad sick- j ened Francis Vvtstwickin the. bedchamber of | the new hotel-spread it-; fetid exhalations I ( over the room. Down ward and downward , the hideous, apparition njade its slow prog? ress, until it stopped cfose over Agnes stopped had turned slowly, so that the face of it confronted the upturned face of thc woman < in the chair. ' After that there came a pause. Tb*n a momentary animation disturbed the rigid re- . pose of thc dead face. Tl io closed eyelids ? opened slowly. The eyes revealed them? selves,; bright with the glassy film of death, and fixed their dreadful ?look on the woman . in the chair. Agnes saw that look; saw tho reclining woman rise, as if in obedience to some dread j command-and saw no more * * * <: * Her next conscious impression was of the sunlight pouring in at the window; of the friendly presence of Lady Montbarry at the. [ bed.-ide, arid of the children's wondering face? ; peeping in at the door. CHAPTER XXIII. "You havo some in'duvuce over Agzics. Try what yoi: can do, Henry, to make her take a ' ; sensible view of the matter. There is roaTTv j '. nothing to malee a fuss about My witVs : 1 maid ku'?.eked at her door early in the morn- ; ing, with the customary cup of tex Getting ! ? no answer, she went round to tho dressing j room, found tho door on th&t side unlocked, j and discovered Agnes on tho beti in a ftun ting j flt. With.mywife's help they brought her j to herself Again, and she told the extraordi- : nary ctory which 1 have just repeated to you. ! ; You must have seen for yourself that she has j ' boen overfatiguod, poor I hing, by our long j ; mil way journeys; her nerves aro ont of order: ? ' and she is just the person to be easily terrified i by a dream. She obstinately refuses, how- j , ever, to accept this rational view. Don't sup- j pose that 1 have beru sever . with her. AH that ? a man can do to humor her I have done. I j have written to the countess (in her assumed j name), offering to restore the room to her. j 1 She writes back, positively declining to rc ! turn to it. I have accordingly arranged (so !' as not to have tlie thing known in the botch j to occupy ibo room furo.!- cr two nights, ; ' and to leave Agnes to recover her spirits ? 1 under my wife's care, ls there nnytbirg ; . moro that 1 can do? Whatever questions ' 1 Agnes has asked of me, J have answered to the bess of my-ability; she knows .-di that youl -id mo about '-Francis and tuc countess : 1 last night. '.But try as I may ? can't ca ie', her mind: : ! I have given up thc attempt-in despair, and left her in tho drawing room. Go, like a ' good fellow, and try wjjat you can do to . ' compose her." j ; In those words Lord ?.tontbart*y state?! the j 1 case to his brother from tho rational point of j view. Henry made no remark, bc went, j ' straight to the drawing room. ! < He found Agnes walking rapidly back- , 1 ward and forward, flushed and excited, "if ; you come here to say what your brother has j 1 been saying to me,77 she broke out'befcro he ? could speak, "spare yourself t ho trouble. >I : ' don't want common sens '-I want a true 1 friend who will believe in me." i ' "I am that frleuu, l^cs* f?enry* [ : swered, quietly, "and you know it." "Yon really believe that I am not deluded by a dream?" "I know tbat you are not deluded-in one particular, at least." "In what particular?" "In. what you have said of the countess. It is perfectly true"-i Agnes stopped him there. "Why do I only hear this morning that the countess and Mrs. James are one and the same person ?" she asked distrustfully. "Why was I not told of it last night?" "You forget that you had accepted the ex? change of rooms before I reached Venice," Henry replied. "I felt strongly tempted to teil you, even then-but your sleeping arrange? ments for the night were all made; I should only have inconvenienced and alarmed you. I waited till the morning, after bearing from my brother that you had yourself seen to your security from any intrusion. How that intrusion was accomplished it is impoV sible to say. I can only declare that the countess1 presence by your bedside last night was no dream of yours. On her own au? thority I can testify that it was a reality." "On "her. own authority?" Agnes repeated, eagerly; "Have you seen her this morning?" "I have seen her not ten minutes since." "What was she doing?" "She was busily engaged in writing. I could not even get her to look at me until I thought of mentioning your name." "She remembered me, of course?" "She remembered you with some anncmty. Finding that she wouldn't answer me on any other terms, I questioned her as if I had come direct from you. Then sbe spoke. She not only admitted that she ba I '"be same super? stitious motive for placing you in that room, which she had acknowledged to Francis-she even owned that she had been by your bed? side, watching through the night; 'to see what you saw,' as she expressed it. Hearing this, I tried to persuade her to tell me how she got into the room. Unluckily, her manu? script on the table caught h?$ eye; she re? turned to her writing. 'The baron wants money,' sho said, 'I must get on with my play.' What she saw, or dreamed, while she was in your room last night, it is at present impossible to discover. But, judging by my brothers account of her, as weil as by what I remember of -her myself, some recent influ? ence has been at work which has \ reduced a marked change in this wretched woman for tho worse. Her mind is, in certain respects, unquestionably deranged. One proof of it is that she spoke to me of tho -baron as if he were still a living mau. Yfhen Francis saw her, she declared that tho baron was dead, which is the truth. The United States consul at Milan showed us' the announcement of the death in an American newspaper. So far as I can see, such sense as she still possesses ? seems to be entirely absorbed in one absurd j idea-the idea of writing a play for Francis j to bring out at his theatre. He admits that j he encouraged her to hope she might get I money in this way. I think he did wrong. Don't you agree with me?" Without heeding the question, Agnes rose abruptly from her chain '.Do me one more kindness, Henry." she ? said. 'Take me to the countess at once." Henry hesitated". "Arc you composed enough to see her, after the shock that you have suffered;" he asked. She trembled, the flush on her face died away, and left it deadly pale. But she held to her resolution. "You have heard of what I saw last : light?" she said, faintly. *'Don't speak of it!" Henry interposed. , "Dont uselessly agitate yourself." "I must sgcu?:! My mind is full of hon id ? questions Shout it. I know I cant identify j it-and yet I ask myself over and over again, in whose likeness did it appear? Was it in the likeness of Ferarri? or vas ii"- She stopped, shuddering. 'The countess knows, j I tuibt see the countess!" she resumed, vehe? mently. Whether my courage fails me or not. I must 3hake the attempt. Tai.emetc her before I have time to feel afraid of itl" Henry looked at her anxiously. "If 3"ou aroTreaiiy sure of }-our own resolution," ha said. "I agree with you-the sooner you see her the better. You remember how strange? ly she talked of j'our influence over her, v. hen she forced her way into vour room in London?*' "I remember it perfectly. Why do you . ask?5 ? "For this reaso::. In the present state of ber mind, I doubt if she will be much longer capable of realizing her triid idea of you as Che avenging angel wbois to bring her to a reckoning for her evil deeds. It may be well to try what your influence can do while she is still capable of feeling it." He waited to hear what Agues would say. She took his arin and led him in silence to the door. They ascended to tho second floor, and after . knocking entered the countess1 room. She was still busily engaged in writing. When she looked up from the paper, and saw Agnes, a vacant expression of doubt was the ou/y expression iii her wild black eyes. After i fevv moments, the lost remembrances and associations appeared to return slowly to her mind. The pen dropped from hey hand Haggard and trembliMg she looked closer at Agnes, and recognized her at hist. "Has the time come already?" f'ie said, in low awe stricken tones. "Give me a little longer re? spite. I haven't done my writing yet!" She dropped on her knees, and held out her clasped hands, entreatingly.- Agnes was far from having recovered, after the shock that she had suiTcred in the night; her nerves were far f ?-om being equal to thc strain that was now laid on them. She was so startled L?y the change in the countess that she was at :i loss what to say or to dc next. Henry was >i-figed to speak to her, *'Put your questions while you have the chance," he said, lowering ais voice. "Sec! the vacant look is coining Drer her face again." Agnes tried to rally her courage. "You were in my room last night"-she began. Before she could add a word morie, the count? ess lifted her hands and wrung them above lier head, with a low moan cf horror. Agnes shrunk back, and turned as if to leave the room. Henry stopped her and whispered to ber to try again. She obeyed him after ?ni ???brc. "I>;a:pt last uiglit in theJ-oom that vou gave up to me,'' she resumed. "I jaw" Tu:1 ccu:::'-.'-; suddenly rose to her feet. > mon; vi that.-'' she cried. ,;Oh, Jctu Maria! Do you think I want to h? told what v'ou saw? you t hink I don't know what it means for you and for nie/ Decido for yourself, ini*s. Examine your own mind. Areyoa well assured that tho day uf rec?coa ir.g has eenie at last? Are you i cady lo fol? low me back, through the primes of tue p;.?t, to the secrcusof the dead:" She turned again to thc writing tab!'1, with o\it w tiring to be aiisvreretb Her tyes Hashed; ihe looked like ber old Belt once more as siio spoke. It was only fbr a moment. The old ardor nud impetuosity were nearie worn out. Her hoad sunk: idey sighed heavily a.-? sl.eu.-: i-v'cfd a desk widen stood on the table. Opening; a drawee in Lue ?lea:.-, she took out a leaf of vellum, covered with faded writing. Some ragged eirds ol' silken thread were still attached to the leaf,as if it had been torn ?out c?f a book. -Can y cu read Italian?" she asked, handing the leaf to Agnes. Agr.es answered silently by au inclination : -f the head. "Thc leaf." tho countess proceeded, "once | belonged t?> a bookin lue old library of tbe j palace, while this building was htill ti palace, j By whom i! was torn out you have no need j ; > ?mow. For vviuit purpose itwjis torn ?>::S . you m?iv discover for Y ourself, ii you will. . il- ad i: ?irat-at thc ililli linc from t...> lop ol j .... i die p:.go: A, ut s felt f h . s -nous necessity o ? compos- | :-.y? :>> ;r. ..Give nie a cha::*;";* sho-.-atd to j Henry, l-antl 1 will d-> my best." IXe phic-d \ Iii:?? -eli behind la r chair -o that bc e. ?ul? i 1? ?ok .ver :. .;? shoulder and belo her u> understand ; ;be writing on tholen!. Ueud.-n d into rluj- j lis::, it ran as fellows: j "I have now complete-.? my literary su*, vey ^fthofirst il'.'or of the palace. At the desire ?f my noble and gracious patron, tue lo: tl of Lbis glorions ediiice, I next ascend to tho second floor, and continue my catalogue JV description of the picture*, dt-eora Lions, and other treasures of art therein ;cnreined. LeC me begin with the corner room at the western extremity of the palace, sailed the Room of the Caryatides, from the statues which support the mantelpiece. This "vo~'~ '~ "f :^nr. execu.'.on: ii. dates from the "Eighteenth century only, ; reveals the corrupt taste of the period every part or it. Still, there is a certain terest which attaches to the mantelpiece conceals a cleverly constructed hiding pl between the floor of the room and the ceil of the room beneath, which was made dur the last evil days of the Inquisition iii Ven and which is reported to have saved an au tor of my gracious lord pursued by t terribio- tribunal. Tho machinery of ' curious place of concealment has been hep good order by tho pr?sent lord, as a specie curiosity. He condescended to show mo method of working it. Approaching thc 1 Caryatides, rest your hand' on the foreh (midway between the eyebrows) of thc fig which is on your left as you stand opposit? the fireplace, then press the head inward a yon were pushing ic against the wall behi By doing this you set in' motion the hid< machinery in the wall which tums thc beai stone on a? pivot and discloses the hollow pl below. There is room enough in it for a n to li? easily at full length. The method closing the cavity again is equally sim] Place both your hands on the temples of figure; pull as if you were pulling it tow; you-and the heartlistone will re volvo into proper position again." "You need read no further," said countess. '\?Tc caref ul to remember what 3 have read." She put back tho page of vellum in 1 "writing desk, locked it and led the way to : door. "Cornel" sho said, "and* see what tho mo* ing Frenchman called 'The beginning of i end.'" Agirs was barely able to rise from 1 chair; she trembled from head to foot. Her gave her his arm to support her. "Fi nothing,5' lie whispered; "I shad be w you." The countess proceeded ?long- the westwa corridor and stopped at the door number Thirty-eight. This was the room which h been inhabited by Baron Ri var in thc c days of the paiaco; tho room situated immo ately over the bed chamber in which Agi had passed the nigiit. For the last two da it had been empty. The absence .of Ingga in it when they opened the doer showed th it had not yet been let. "You see," said the countess, pointing the carved figure at the fire place; '-and y know what to do. Have ? deserved that y should 'temper justice with mercy?1 she we on, in lower tones, "Give me a few bou more to myself. Thc baron wants money must get on with my play." She smiled vacantly, and imitated the a tion of writing with her right band as si pronounced the last word-?. Tho effort 1 concentrating her weakened -mind on othi and less familiar topics than the constai want of money in the baron's lifetime, ar the vague prospect of gain from the still u; finished play, had evidently exhausted h< poor reserves of strength. When her reque had been granted she addressed no cxpressioi of gratitude to Agnes; she only said: "Fe no fear, miss, of my attempting to escat you. Where you are, there I must bo ti the end conies." Her eyes wandered round tho roora wi* a last weary and stupefied look. Sho r turneii to ber writing with slow and feeb steps, like the steps of an old womua. CHAPTER XXIV. Henry and Agnes were left alone in tl room of the Caryatides. The person who had written tho descriptio of the palace-probably a poor author or ar ist-had correctly pointed out tho defects c the mantel: ieee. Bad taste, exhibiting itsel on the most costly and splendid .scale, wa visible in every part of tho work. It was nevertheless, greatly admired by ignoran travelers of all classes; partly onaccouut 0 its imposing size.- and partly on account 0 the number cf variously colored marble which the sculptor had contrived tointroduc into his design. Photographs of the mantel piece were exhibited in the public rooms, am .found a ready sale among English and Amer iean visitors to the hotel. Henry Jed Agnes to the figure on the left as they stood lacing the empty fireplace "Shall I try the experiment," he asked, "0: will you?" She abruptly drew her arm awa^ from him, and turned back to the door. "I can't even look at it," she said. "Tba merciless marble face frightens me." Henry put his hand on the forehervd of thi Cgure. '.What is there to alarm you, my dear, ii this conventionally classical face?' he asked jestingly. Befcro he could press tho head inward, Ag nes hurriedly openvd the door. "Wait till I am out of the room," she cried, "The bare Idea of what you may find then horrifies mo!". She looked back into th? room as she crossed the threshold. "I won'! eave you altogether," she said; "I will wail outside." She closed the door. Left by himself, Henry lifted his band once more to the mar? ble forehead of the figure. For the second time he was checke?! on thc point of setting tho machinery of the hiding place in motion. On this occasion thc inter? ruption came from au outbreak of friendly voices in the corridor. A woman's voice ex? claimed: "Dearest Agnes, how glad ' I am to see you again!" A man's voice folio wee?, of? fering to introduce some friend to "Miss Lockwood." A third voice (which Henry recognized as the voice of the manager of the hotel) became audible next, directing thc housekeeper to show thc ladies and gentlemen the vacant apartments at the other end of the corridor. "If more accommodation is want? ed," the manager went on, "? have a chann? ing room 10 Jet here.77 He opened the door as he s?K?l:e, and found himself face to face with Henry Westwiek. "This is indeed an agreeable surprise, sir," said the manager, cheerfully. "You are ad? miring oar famous chimney piece ,T seo. Slay I asl.-, Mr. Westwiek, how you find yourself iii the hotel this time? Have the supernatural influences effected your appetite again?" "The supernatural influences have spared me this time," Henry answered; "Perhaps you ma}* ye: find that they have afTecxM some other members of the family." Ho spoke gravely, resenting thc familiar tone in which the mmutger had referred to his previ? Ons visir ?e the l:ote?. "llave you iu>r re? turned:"' he asked, by way of changing tho topic. "Just r.l is m!?:*:ti\ sir. I had the honor cf traveling i.: the same train with ?rk-JuLs ef yours, who h:r <; arrived nt the hotel-Mr; and Mrs. Arthur Baryiile and their traveling companions. >l:-s Lock wood is? ?th them, looking at: the ryotus. They wi:! he here be? fore long, i:' t hey lind it convenient io have an extra room ac their disposal." This annourtceinent divided R"?::ry cm ex? ploring Thc hiding plar-e before th* mt;-:" up? lion occurred, it had crossed lus min i when Agnes left him that he oilghr, p. rh.-:; to have a witness in the not very prob.-d.deew:?c et some alarming discovery taking p?ase. The too familiar mnuager, suspecting mob? ing, was th-re at his disposal. Ile ti:med again to the Carynn figure, maHeioa>!y re? solving to make the manager bis witness. "lam delighted to hear .that eur !:;-nds have arriver! ar Inst," be said. "Before 1 shake ha: i - with the!:: let me as!: you a ones- j tir. afSou! tins career work of art he:v. L; saw photographs ? it down stairs. Are they j Vi ".limy, Mr. Westwick."* "Do you think liv eh heney piece is as solid j as it !. ?eh-.P Henry procred?\l. "When you j came-in 1 was just wondering whether tins j figure hore bsd net accidentally <-"'. loosened ' ?re:n the \v--.Il behind ir." Ile hud his hand ? on the marble forehead for the-third time. ] "To my eye it looks a little :>::t of rho pr rp? :\- \ dieuhir. J a lav-' fancy l eonid jog thi head ! just now when i touched it." ll - pressed tho head inVard as he .-aid these words. A sound of jarring iron was instantly j audible behind thc wall; The solid bearii:* ; sCone in front of the fire:dace turned slowly : atthefeot of the two men, an?! disclosed, a | dark cavity below. At the same moment, I tho strange and sickening combination of j odors, hitherto associated with the vaults j of the old paia?*e and with tho bed chamber j beneath, now floated up from the open re? ; cess, and fiiletl the roon;. The manager started back. "Good God, Mr. Wcstwiek!" he exclaimed, "what docs . this mean:" ! RCUIC??OOJ ""^ )LF>5 only what ins brother Francis had ?' " .' .- j : "r:;v^L mj> room beneath, ?t? wlut tho experience of Agines had been cn thc previous night, Henry was determined to bc on his guard. "I am as much surprised as you are," was his only reply. ..Wai 5 for me ono moment, sir," said tho manager. **? must stop the ladies and gen? tlemen outside from coming in." He hurried away-*~aot forgetting to close thc door after him. Henry opened the win? dow, mid waited there, breathing the pure air. Vague apprehensions of the next dis? covery to come filled his mind for the first time. He was doubly resolved: now, not to stir a step in the investigation without a wit? ness. The manager relumed with a wax taper in his hand, which ho lighted as soon as he entered the room. "We need fear no interruption now,**"he said. ~Be so kind, ilr. 'Westwick, as to hold thc light. It is my business to find cut what this extraordinary discovery means." Henry held the taper. Looking into the cavity, by the dim and flickering light, they both detected a dark object at t lie bottom of it. "I think I can reach thc thing." the xi>an agcr remarked, "if I lie down, and put my hand into the bole/*. Ho knelt on the floor-and hesitated j <s31igbt I ask you. sir, tc give mc my gloves?" he sadd. "They are in my hat, oiu the chair behind you." w Henry gave him his gloves. "I <IcnTs know what I maybe going to take hold ol'," tho "manager explained*, smiling fatlier uneasfl^ as he put on bis right glove. He stretched himself -at full length on the floor, and passe i bis right hand into the c*iv? ity. "I can't say exactly what I have gd hold of," he said. "But I have got it." Half raising himself, ho drew his hand out. The next instant he started to his feet with a shriek of terror. A human head dropped from his nerveless grasp on the floor, and rolled to Henry's feet. It was the hideous head that Agnes had seen hovering above her. in thc vision of the night! A 'luman head dropped from his nerv<. grasp. Tho two men looked at each other, both Struck speechless by the same emotion of hor? ror. Thc manager was tho first to control himself. "See to the doer, for God's salier ho said. "Some of the people outside may havo heard me." Henry moved mechanically to the door. Even when he had his hand on the key, ready to turn it in the lock" in case of neces? sity, ho still looked back at the appalling object on the floor. There was no possibility of Identifying those decayed and distorted features-with any living creature whom he had scm-and yet he was conscious of feeling a vague and awful doubt which shook him to the soul. Tho questions which tortured the mind of Agnes were now his questions, too. He asked himself, "In whose likeness might I have recognised it before the decay set in! Tho likeness of Ferrari? or the like? ness of?"- Ile paused trembling, as Ag? nes had paused trembling before him. Agnes! Thc name, of all women's names the dearest to him, was a terror to bim now! What was ho to say to her? What might be the conse? quence if he trusted her with the terrible truth? Iso footsteps approached the door; no voices were audib'ro jautsidc. The travelers were still occupied Tn their rooms at the eastern end of the corridor. [ In the brief interval that had passed the manager had sufliciontly recovered himself to be abie to think once more of tho first and foremost interest of his life-the interest of the hotel He approached Henry anxiously. "If this frightful discovery becomes known,", he said, "the closing of the betel and the ruin cf tho company will be the in? evitable results. I feel sure that I can trust your discretion, sir, so far?" '.You am certainly trust me," Henry an? swered. "But surely discretion has its lim? its." he added, "after such a discovery as we have made?" Thc manager understood that the duty which they owed to tho community as honest cud law abiding men, was thc duty to whichr Ecnry now referred "I will at once find tho ! means," ho said, *\of conveying -the remains j privately out of the house,.and I will myself place them in tho care of the police authori? ties. Will "you leave tue room, with me? Or do you not object to keep watch here, and help mo when I return?" While ho was speaking, tho voices of the travelers made themselves heard again at the cud of the corridor. Henry instantly con? sented to w-aic in tho room. He shrunk from facing the inevitable meeting with Agnes if he showed himself in the corridor at that mo? ment. The manager hasten esl his departure, in the hope of escaping notice. Ho was discovered by his guests before*ho could reach the head of the stairs. Henry heard tho voices plainly as ho turne?*- tho key. While the terrible drama of discovery was in progress on ono side of thc door, tr vial questions about the amusements of Venice and facetious discus? sions on th?1 relative merits of French anil Italian c<v>kery were proceeding on the other. Little by liri Ie" the sound of the talking grew iaiub-r." The visitors having a nr.? ige? i their ?.-ians of amusement for tue day, '.vero on their way out of the horeb In a minute Or two there w.w-5 silence once more. Ilenrv turne?: * > the window, thinking to relieve "ins mind by locking at tue I right j view-over the canal nc soon grew wearied ? Of the familiar scene. The morbid farina- J lion which seems to bo ?-xerciscd by all hor- j r'.'..ie sigh:-, drew him back again to the gha-?iv object <-u thc floor. Drear.? or rei: Ii ty, how had Agnes survive-' the sight o? i ' As the question passed through hi-; mind, he noticed for the first | ?ime something lying c:i tue floor near thc j he:;d. L;>??kiug closer, he perceived a thin i little plate ec ;^<>:d. with three false teeth at- j taehed t?- it, which 'ead apparently dropped out (!oosen<Si by tho shock) when the manager j VS thc iiea.I fain on tho floor. The imp t rance of this discovery, and the j necessity of not too readily communicating it I to others, instantly struck Henry. Her-* j surely was a chance-if any chance remained -of identifying the shocking relic of humau itv which lay before him. the dumb witness i ot a crime! Acting on this idea, bc took j possession <*f the teeth, purposing to use them j as a last means of inquiry when ether at- j t-'timts at investigation had been tried and j had'failed. j He went back again to the window; tho j solitude of tho room began to weigh on his j spirits. As he looked out again at the view, j there was a s >!t knock at the ?loor. Ile ' basten???! to open it-and checked himself in : the ???t. A ?I-ubi occurred to him. Was iff] the manager who bad knocke?:? He called : cub "Who is there?" The voice of Agnes answered him. "Have i y? anything to tell me, Henry?" He was hardly able to reply. ""Sot just j now." he -aid, confusedly. """Forgive me if I \ don't open tito door. I will speak to you a ? little later." Tho sweet voice made itself heard again, j pleading willi him piteously. "Dont leave . m.* alone, Henry? 1 can't go back to the i happy people down stairs." He w .could he resist that appeal? He heard ? her sigh-lie heard the rustling of her ?dress ! as she moved away in despair. Tho vet y thing that he had shrunk from doing br* ? few minutes since was *f- luing that bc did new! ri* ^cd Agnes hi tho corridor. She -turned as she heard him jmd pointed trem-? Ar tiie closed room; tn* ta ^^^^M?^mm ^Is it so terrible a* vuar 5^ '- - i He put bis arm round uer to 'slpptStt'jSir ! ? thought came to him as he looked ?i ! waiting iu doubt and fear. for Wt' reply.; j "You shall decide the question for yxkfjm?t? j bc said, "if you will first put on your hat uti' I cloak, and come out with me." Sue was naturally surprised. "Can yog* ! teil me your object ?? gobur out?* she asked. He owned what his object was unrarrT ! ediy. "I want, before' all things," he ?aid;" ! "Lo satisfy your mind and mine on the rab-" ! jectof ifontbarry's death. I am going tjf j taite you to the doctor wno attended bim In* his illness and "to the consol "who followed him to the grave." * f ... Her eyes rested on Henry gratefully: <tOfci^. how well you understand me 1" she said. ?b#* manager joined them at the same xnOBMpf* on his way up tho stairs. Henry gave Mm the key of the room, and then called to tbe^ servants in the hall to havea gODd1?2?lil^/. ' at the steps. ?Are you leaving the hotelf the manager' asked. "In search cf evidence," Henry whispetaaV pointing to tho key. "If the .antfaoriiki1 want me, I shall be back in an hour* ITO BS-CONTINUED:"" - Tiie Newspaper Lawv We give below the full test of?hr*' eral sections of the United' States' Postal law relating to subscriptions to* newspapers. It will be well for each* of our subscribers to read-U'-carefufl^ and govern themselves accordingly r 1. Subscribers who do not give ex** press notice to the contrary are cot??* sidered as wishing to continue their subscription: 2. If subscribers order the discoor" tinuance of their periodical the pol^T lisher may continue sending it uhti?1 all arrearages are paid. 3. If subscribers neglect dr refuse" to take their periodicals from th?* office io which they are sent,?the^" are held responsible mitll they hcttf' settled their bill and ordered" theft* discontinued 4. If subscribers move to and??err place and fail to inform the publisher, and ihe papers are sent to'the former4" direction, they are held responsible." 6. Any person who receives m: newspaper and makes use of % whether he oidered it or not, iVheld" in law to be a subscriber. 6. If subscribers pay in advance" they are bound to give notice tb the publishers at the end of their* time if1 they do not wish to continu?* taking^ it ; otherwise the publisher is author* ized to send it on, and the sabscril>ei*r. is responsible until express notice, with payment of all arrears, is sent tb' the publisher. . The new postal arrangement* hatf". made it a penal ?rlense to refuse tb* *pay for a newspaper,- and' th? subi scriber may be imprisoned for fraud; A word to ihe wise, &c. Senator Butler, of South Carolin*',- ?f one of the ernst eocrtiy and handsome men in the United States Senate, and' his daughters wi41 be among the brrgfcS-" est rosebuds of the Capital this wSnt?fc, Miss Marie ^Bailer had just a taste* df Washington society last season and Hiss' Elise will make her first appearance off New Year's. They are both very pret? ty. Miss Marie is very stylish sad' highly accomplished. She' apesJcr French fluently and, like her sister Elise, is very fond of horseback riding".. Miss Elise is a beautiful girl.' She rs of medium height, well forned and ber large blue eyes look oat over fair cheeks' rosy with color. Like her sister Marie* - she is a good French scholor and she . will be, as Marie was last winter/very popular with the diplomats. She is foot? of reading and is an accomplished talker. The Washington home of the Butlert ir in the roost fashionable charter of the* - city. It is within a stone's throw ol the British Legation, not far /rose* Blaine's boase facing Dupont's circfeV and jost around the cori? er from jr here" - Secretary Manning lived last winter,' and where tbe Count Mitkiewicz liver now. It is of red pressed brick, bear** ing the number 1751 P street, and is* very comfortably furnished. Mrs. Bai? ler comes of one of the best fain iles of the Palmetto State, and as for the Sen-^ . ator. his ancestors were the Dukes'of Ormond, one of whom was lieutenant" general of the il: yal troops during the Irish insurrection i-f 1641, and who was" Lord Lieutenant of Ireland io 1644. He stuck to the Crown when Cromwell* seized the government. He proclaimed' Charles II in Ireland, and made an un? successful attempt to capture Dublin in' 1649. Cromwell however; drove bim' oat of Ireland during the following year, and Charles II made him a Duke when he came into power. This roan's U3me wa; James Butler' Ormond, and -one of his decendants.. Pierce Butler, who wrs a third*s*m of Sir llicbard Butler, of Ireland, came to* this country as a ro?j >r in the British* ? army. He resigned; however, before' the involution and settled in' Charles**" ton, and it is from him. I think, that the* present Butler family originates. He" was a member of the frrst ?nited States' Sonate, and one of his sons carried Miss Fanny Kemb?e, thc actress. The" paternal grandfather cf the Misses But? ler was in Congress, enc of their grand? uncles was aa officer in the American1 army and was killed in thc Mexican* war, and another granduncle was toe* United States Senator ia defence of whom Presten S. Brooks, a relative, as-* sauUed Charles Sumner, inasmuch as'i Senator Butler was not in Washington' at the time Sumner's attack upon him ia thc Senate was made. Senator But-" ler's mother was a Perry and she was* the youngest sister of Commodore* Oliver H. Perrv; tbe hero bf the battle*" cf Lake Erie.AV. Y. World, ?--CV . ? ?> - -OS* Hov. ll (T Pearson is now conducting . a revival at Sparenburg. Dr. Evans, thc Parisian American' desist, is said to bc worth about $15>* Thc Chicago /Tribune says Bhina will soon publish a letter withdrawing from the Presidential nomination. Kev. Dr. Woodrow is now professor, in thc University of South Carolina* Some of the Presbyterian S ?mtnaryV students r-re tecelvin fpr"va;c lestree from Him. The Faculty of the Sem. infry have not taken fica) action sbont ife. Edwin Booth is by common consent thc greatest living American actor. Ha; is a mau cf c:r.aurj and a&ility. He-N wroto *s tho Kew York Christian Union s: . I never permit tay vtlfa or daughter to attend ihe theatre without prev??nf>?T,.... ascertaining; the eh- j-aetor of the piaj%*f HciC is a leeson foi ali p^r^uis; y .