Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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WATCHMAN, Xst*bll h d April, 2S6C uBe Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE TK X SOCTHKON, Kttebltehed jone. is*6 4S>toe i ^ SUMTER. S. C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15.1899. New Series-Yol. XVIII. No. 33 \ CHAPTER XIV. A CONSULTATION. Commander Brett was not able to re port his interview with Mr. Keighley <3ates to Miss Fenton nntil the follow ing day. The morning's pest had brought a letter from his friend Vlray, &nd with this in his pocket he proceed ed to De Vere Gardens. " Well, Do ean, have yon brought any nexvs?" Mabel asked anxiously, when lovers' greetings had been ex changed. "Indeed I have, dear, and somewhat surprising news too. It was Gates him self who substituted the photograph for Xiady Florence's in the album." "Mr. Gates! What in the world did ie do it for?" "That is what I should very much like to know myself. As a matter of fact he told me he had not done so told me emphatically, and without be ing asked the question. Afterward I learned at Scotland Yard that he was the very man who did it " * 'How strange! What possible inter est could Mr. Keighley Gates have in ^matter?" ''That I do not know-in fact, I know very little of the man. He was a friend ti George's, was he not?' "An acquaintance-hardly a friend, j George met him at some club or other, ii nd found him interesting. They had cae or two tastes in common-fishing, big game sheeting, and hunting, and Mr. Gates suggested a. trip to the Zam bezia- for elephants; but I don't fancy George really liked the man, or he would have jumped at the idea." "Then you know, of nothing that would connect him in the faintest way with the present trouble?" "Nothing. But stop ! You remember iie was here on the day of the murder -it was then, indeed, he noticed the 1 dagger that led to suspicion fall: jg on George; That, day he spoke to George ariont ms infatuation for Harriet Sta ples, and urged him to break with' her. He had never alluded to the subject be fore, and George considered he had taken a great liberty in doing so at all, and he told him so. George was very 2ruch annoyed, I remember, and he spoke to me aboutit before he left the ouse that evening. " "Did Gates ive any reason for men tioning the matter?" "He said he did it out of pure friend' hip for George. " This was certainly news. Brett knew Bathing against Mr. Gates, except the e he had told him about the photo graph, if the police were to be believed. But he did not think he was the sort of man t-c^in teri ere in a matter of this Mnd out of pure disinterested friend ship. Still he might be doing him an injustice. "Well, it is useless speculating on his reasons," said he. "There's the changing of the photographs to bring it home to him, but for the life of me I don't see how it is to be done. I c&n't very well tax Wm with it, for he has distinctly told rss he did not do it." "Never mind, Duncan. But we must be on our guard against him. If he is playing false, he will be sure to betray 'himself before long." "I have had a letter from Wray this morning," said Brett after a pause. "He has sent me a description of Lady Florence Mostyn's brother-a sandy "Precisely. He lost an arm some time after leaving them." maa, with a cut across his forehead. But let me read you exactly what he says about him: 'Inever saw Robert King, the duke's stepson, so I cannot give you a description, first hand, but I am told he was a fair youth, with light brown-almost red-hair. There was a scar across his forehead, the result of a fall against the bar of a grate when a snore child. This scar was noticeable when, he was grown up, and I do not think will have left him. He was tall -nearly six feet. No, he had not lost an arm. Beyond this I am afraid I can tell you nothing of his personal appear ance. ' " Mabel listened intently. "Then it must have been the actor, Lambert, who was her brother!" she exclaimed. "Precisely. He lost an arm some lime after leaving them." The terrible anxiety of the past few weeks was telling severely on Mabel, nd today Brett noticed wi th alarm hew pale and ill sbe looked. She was thor oughly unstrung, and while they were discussing the next move to betaken she broke down altogether and sobbed ^?i**]ly. Brefct trie4 with ail s, lover's resources to . soothe her, but his tender words and caresses were in vain. "It is all so hopeless, Duncan-so terribly hopeless. In another week there will be the" trial, and with all your work what, particle of evidence have we that will weigh one feather's weight with the jury?" Brett could only kneel at her side and dumbly caress her hands, while great sobs shook her frame. Then he pulled himself together with an effort, and seating himself by her drew her gently to him. "Mabel, my darling, this is not like yon. You have been so brave and help ful all the time. It will never do to give np hope now that we have un earthed so much of the woman's past life, discovered her real name and who her relations are and traced her doings since she left home. At any moment we may learn something that will put ns on the track of the murderer. Don't, dearest, don't I need all my strength for my work; and it utterly unmans me to see you give way. " Mabel forced back her sobs and brushed her tears away. "Yon are right, Duncan. It is fool ish of me-worse than foolish. I will be brave, dear." And she smiled pit eously. "Look here, darling. You don't get out enough. I will call for yon this afternoon and we will have a stroll to gether in the park. I may have some thing further to report by then. What do you say, dear one? At 4?" "As yon like, Duncan, but do not worry about me in the least. We must be successful in the end, and then, you now, I shall be perfectly well again. I will be waiting for you at 4." In a few minutes Commander Brett hurried away. CHAPTER XV. THE ABDUCTION OP MABEL FENTON. About 8 o'clock in the afternoon a cab drove up to the door and a sharp ring followed. "Miss Fenton in?" said a tall, lanky man in a hurried tone. "Yes, sir." The man entered. "No name-she does not know me. Say a message from Captain Brett-im portant." He was shown into the library, and a fev; minutes later Mabel entered. "Miss Fenton?" said the man inquir ingly. "Yes." "Deeply grieved to be bearer of bad news. Don't be alarmed, but. Captain Brett met with slight accident Uncon scious when I left Asked for you." Mabel turned deathly white. "An accident? How? Where?" "Near the docks. Cannot say how bad knock on the head-came to for a few minutes and gave your name and address. Total stranger-but I thought you would wish to know-insensible when I left." A few hours before Mabel had broken down, and it might have been expected that a further blow would have crushed her altogether, but she faced the situa ron bravely. Duncan, was hurt-how grievously she dare not think. He had sent for her; she must ga "I can only thank you for your kind ness, " she said. "If you will tell me where Captain Brett is now, I will go at once." "My cab is at door-allow me to drive you there-time important" For a moment she hesitated, but it was for a moment only. The vaguest indefinable suspicion of doubt crossed her mind, but tfce next instant it was overwhelmed with the thought that Duncan was hurt and had sent for her. "I will keep you scarcely a minute," she said. It hardly needed longer for her to put on a hat and gloves, and without leav ing any message with a servant she flew down stairs and hurried to the cab. "Will you allow me to accompany your" said the stranger. "I may be of some use." Mabel thankfully accepted the offer, and together they drove off. It was a long drive, and the cab seemed to have more than its share of che troubles of four wheelers. Buses blocked the way, pedestrians hampered its pace, drays threatened to overturn it and policemen checked it in its mad career, yet its driver, steadfast, if not as silent as the sphinx, held on grimly for the final goal. At Hyde park corner they turned down Constitution hill, and then on the Mall to Charing Cross, and so tc the embankment. So far Mabel knew the route well enough, but when upper Thames street, wiflh its discordant jum I ble of traffic, was reached, she sank back in utter weariness. She seemed to be in a dream-a waking nightmare of unreality. George a prisoner, a sup posed murderer, Duncan hurt, perhaps dying, cr even dead, and she a helpless woman, torn by conflicting emotions of hope and despair! From the outside were bor^e in upon lier the shouts of touts and cadgers, the bellowing of draymen, the ceaseless grind of wheels, the endless rum ble cf traffic. She closed her eyes. Her sight sbe could, at any rate, control, if nothing more. At last they stepped. Her companion got out hurriedly, paid the driver, and j then asked her to descend. It was a horrible, dirty street in a dirty and hor rible locality, and Mabel shrank invol untarily as she looked round. Her companion divined her thoughts. "Very sorry, Miss Fenton, to bring yon here. We took him to the likeliest onse. urayman volunteered to tak bira to his home-case argent-dar not carry to hospital." The girl reproached herself for tb feelings of revulsion that had arise: unbidden within her. "Yes, 1 understand. Is this th houser" For her conductor had stoppe before one dirtier and even more neg lected than its neighbors, j "Yes, fhis is the one, I think-Nc lo." He threw open the door and stoc< ! there fer her to enter. I An instinctive suspicion seized hcL I of her. Had she done wisely in coming unaccompanied, to the place? At an; rate she should have left word at home Who was the man? Suppose it were no I true: Yet why should she doubt? Dun can was hurt. He had sent for her, an< ehe had come. The door swayed to behind her, ant its clash reverberated through he: frame. "This way, madam," said her guide and in the very tone of the man she de tected treachery. "Can I see the woman of the house?' ehe asked unsteadily. "Why, certainly," said her com pan fon, and his voice mads her tremble "Why, certainly-certainly." A slatternly woman made her appear ance at the end of the passage. "Sally, there's a visitor come to se you. Madam, this is Sally ; Sally, thi is madam from the west end." Mabel crouched back in an agony oj terror. Where was she? Who were these dreadful people? But, still, might noi Duncan be there? "Where is Captain Brett?" said she to the woman. "Is he yet conscious?" The woman sniggered. "Capt'n, miss! There's a Salvation capt'n as lives next door, but I \ div thinks you'd take kindly to 'im. He ain't a washin man, ain't Billy-least ways, not in summer time." The coarseness of the woman came as a knell on Mabel's ears, yet she dare not give up hope. She turned to her conductor. "You came with a message, sir, from Captain Brett. Will you take me to him?" "Afraid he's not here, madam. Sud den recovery-taken up his bed and walked," said the man, with a hideous chuckle in enjoyment cf the girl's dis tress. "Then am I to understand, sir, you have deliberately brought me here un der ^alse pretense?" "That's about the size of if, miss. " The- terror that now filled her gave her strength to make one bid foi- free dom. She turned rapidly, rushed past the man and dashed to the door. Her fingers were already on the latch before his rough hand was laid on her shoul der. Her despair gave her unnatural strength, and she struggled to achieve her purpose with the power of a fren zied woman. The man was unable to hold her and loudly called for the as sistance of his female accomplice, who aided him with fiendish glee. "Stop that yellin!" said she, plac ing her filthy paw over Mabel's mouth. "Now, then, Rich, tie her hands, if you ain't man enough to hold 'em. Ah, curse you!" And as Mabel's teeth closed over hex fingers she dealt her a blow that com pletely stunned the girl. They dragged their almost inanimate victim to the back sitting room and flung her on toa sofa, tied her hands and feet with a couple of antimacas sars, and then stolidly surveyed their handiwork. . In a few minutes her eyes opened. She glared round with terrified, implor i r* eyes. In sober truth her^fiituation was enough to daunt her heart. Here was she in a dirty house in the east end of London, entirely at the mercy of a pair cf scoundrels. She had not left the slightest clew at home whereby she could be traced. She was absolutely friendless and alone, and what was the purpose of her captors she dared not think. "Now, madam," said the man, standing over her and eying her with cruel satisfaction, "kindly listen. So long as you behave no harm will hap pen to you. Meals will be brought in by -er-this lady"'-pointing to the slat ternly hag, who grinned in acknowl edgment of the description-"but once attempt to escape or arouse the atten tion of neighbors and you will find out your mistake." "This treatment is infamous," Mabel gasped, "simply infamous. Why have you done it? What is your motive?" Fitzgerald resumed his usual manner of speech. "Meaning best left alone. No good telling secrets. You've come for the good of your health. Isn't it so, Sally? Whitechapel sanitarium. Renowned for treatment. Perfect cure guaranteed." "And you call yourself a man, and can be so brutal-so diabolical i" gasped the girl. "Never call names-on principle." "But how dare yon bring me to this dreadful place and keep me? How could you tell such a cruel lie? They will trace you and find me here, and the law will punish you. Look, I'li make you an offer Release me anil let me go now, and yen shall hear nothing about this matter." "Eloquent-young-lovely. Hard to deny beauty anything. Sorry obliged to refuse-deeply grieved," said Dr. Fitz gerald, with a mocking bow and a cyn ical smile. Mabel saw it was hopeless to try to move him, so she turned her piteous eyes to the woman, who, with arms akimbo, stolidly surveyed her. i "Oh, you-you are a woman! Surely ! -surely you can foal for another wom an's dreadful distress!" she pleaded. "Have you no pity for me?" "This is as good as a theavier. Bless your lovin 'art, I does as I'm tola, and asks no questions. If Rich tells me to take a patient for the good of 'er 'elth, I takes her, and as long as tho coin comes in for the grub and lookin arter I ain't nnspr. liv nr rot-v "Oh, if money will do anything." cried the girl. "See. hero are my watch and these rings. Take them-they are valuable, and yon can sell them. And there is a note iu my purse and some _. _ ._1-^ Seid. Trhc :t-taue it an, only jec me go!" "Best keep still," said the old wom an immovably, "and not npset your self. 'Tain't worth it." "Pretty baubles," put in Fitzgerald -"dangerous weapons-weak woman. Better keep them safe myself." As her spoke Dr. Fitzgerald skillfully removed every article of jewelry. The purse he returned after carefully shak ing out its contents. He untied tho antimacassars, replaced them smoothly on the only two chairs in the room and then repeated his threats in tones that left no doubt cf his intention io fulfill them if necessary. Then, holding the door ajar while Sally passed out, he turned for a final injunc tion: "Lady understands. No noise-no attempt to leave until cure complete. " Mabel had risen from the couch and stood facing the open door. A shadow fell across it. A man's voice exclaimed: "Stop that ye VnP said she. "Hello, Rich! What the deuce is your latest?" "Lady indisposed," replied Fitz gerald-"convalescent home." Then the door closed, bub not before Mabel Fenton had seen the newcomer clearly and distinctly. Merciful powers, what did it mean? Was her reason giving way? A sandy man with a scar across his forehead and with only one arm! "What can he be doing here?" she cried. "It is Lady Florence Mostyn's brother!" _ CHAPTER XVI HABEL MISSING. It was barely 4 o'clock when Captain Brett arrived at De Vere Gardens. He had hoped to find Mabel waiting for him and was surprised and disappointed when the footman told him Miss Fen ton was ont. "She got your message, sir, " the man added. "My message?" said Brett, in aston ishment. "Yes, sir. The gentleman brought it about an hour ago, and Miss Mabel went away with him." "A gentleman brought a message from me? What was it?" "I don't know, sir. He saw Miss Ma bel in the library, and they both went out together a few minutes afterward." Brett was thunderstruck at this an nouncement. "What was the gentleman *. e?" he asked. "Tallish, sir, and spoke in jerks." The description was short enough, but it at once brought to Brett's mind the mau he had seen twice before-the first time by the side of the murdered woman in South Audley street, and the second time coming from Mr. Keighley Gates' rooms in the Metropole. Why should this man have come with a mes sage purporting to be from him, and how could he have induced Mabel to accompany him from the house, and where had they gone? These thoughts flashed through Brett's head with bewildering rapid ity, but for an answer to them he sought in vain. He paced up and down the room, driving to find some clew to this fresh mystery, and at length, giving it up in despair, he stood by the window, each moment fondly hoping that the next would bring him the sight of Mabel returning from a bootless errand. -The minutes passed with awful slow ness. Five o'clock struck, but she had not arrived, and Brett turned hopelessly away from the window. At a quarter past Mr. Fenton came in, and Brett at once told him what had occurred and something of what he feared. "Good God, Duncan! Who is there who could wish to harm her?" "Heaven only knows, sir," said Brett. "I have been trying in vain to conjecture, but we must losf no more time. I am going at once to give in formation to the police, and I think it would he as well for you to break the news to Mrs. Fenton. At present sue knows nothing." Brett hurried off to Scotland Yard. He had been a frequent visitor there of late, but the mission that brought him this time was to him the most terrible of them ail. He recurned with a de tective, who took minute particulars from Soames, tho footman, about the trange visitor and what he had said, and who learned from Mabel's maid what her mistress would be likely to be wearing. Armed with these scant par ticulars the man took his leave, with the assurance that every power tho law possessed should be set in motion to trace the missing one. It was a terrible eveniug for that house in De Vere Gardens. The son was a prisoner, awaiting his trial for mur der; tho daughter had been foully de coyed. And who could tell of her fate? Mr. and Mrs. Fenton wero in a state of utter prostration under the last ter rible blow that had buen dealt them, and Brett was almost beside himself with the knowledge of his impotence to help the woman whom ho loved more than lii'e itself. Brett passed a sleepless night aud by 9 o'clock next morning was again with th8 police. Their inquiries had been in vain. Every likely spot bad been search ed, all tho hospitals had been visited, but without result, and the clew they had was too slender to hope for much success from it. With a weary heart Brett turned away, determined to take a step which had occurred to him during fhe night. It was a bold and probably a useless one. In his calmer moments he would have at once dismissed the idea, but he had now worked himself up into a ter rible state cf excitement and had resolv ed to leave no step untaken that might possibly lead to a clew. He wz.lked straight to the Metropole and asked for Mr. Keighley Gates. He found that gentleman at breakfast in bis dressing gown. Ho raised his eye brows when he saw who his visitor was. "You are an early caller, Captain Brett," said ha "I must* apologize, Mr. Gates, for coming at this hour, but I feared I might miss you if I called later. The fact is, Miss Fenton has been abducted." "Indeed! I am sorry to hear it, but you don't think I have had a hand in the matter, do you?" "Hardly, Mr. Gates, but I do think you know the man who did it. I have every reason to believe it was the man I met coming from you the last time I called." "Really ! Which man was that?" "The tall individual I spoke to you about. He called himself Dr. Fitzgerald when I met him some weeks ago, but you said he had given you another name and that he had been on a beg ging errand." "Ab, I remember the man." "Can you tell me anything about him?" "I'm afraid I cannot I had never seen him before. " "Can you tell me the name he gave !to you?" "I have even forgotten that." Mr. Gates gave these replies in an icily polite voice. Brett saw the inter rogations did not please him, and he himself was annoyed at his own want of success. But he had got it into his head that Mr. Gatc-s was withholding information he had it in his power to give, and he grew reckless. He stared at Mr. Gates incredulously. , "Do you doubt my words, Captain Brett?" said the other after an awkward pause. "I do, Mr. Gates. Yon have deceived me once and may bo doing so now." Mr. Gates bowed with an absolutely expressionless face, got np and moved toward the fireplace. "Before I ring the bell for the serv-* ant to show you out, Captain Brett, per haps you would be kind enough to specify the occasion on which I deceiv ed you." 1 "You told me you did not take Lady I Florence Mostyn's photograph from the Scotland Yard album and substitute an other for it. I have the best reason for believing it was you who did this." "Thank you. As you believe I de ceived you then, I cannot see why you came to me for accurate information to day. You are somewhat illogical, Cap tain Brett, but I believe the navy is not conducive to accurate thought. As a matter of fact, you have come here this morning with the deliberate intention of picking a quarrel with a man who was doing hi*-- best to aid you in your difficulties. After our previous conver sation I took the trouble to cable to the States for information about Arthur Durant, and this morning I received news that would undoubtedly interest you. I was going to send it to you this very day, but after your insulting re marks further intercourse between us is impossible. Your methods are singular, Captain Brett, and I am afraid I can not congratulate you on them." Saying which, Mr. Gates touched the boll. Brett jumped up and walked toward the door. "Mr. Keighley Gates," said he, "if you deliberately intend to withhold in 'God have THC rey upon iou." formation that may lead to saving the life of an innoceut man then God have mercy upon you. For my part, I sol emnly assure you that I will spare no efforts to find out your connection with the scoundrel I am at present looking for and to discover your motive for in terfering with the portrait of the mur dered woman." Saying which he left the room. TO BE CONTINUED. S cc. o a ; c I P hysicians. TV . h . ir>.:!y retv-miread Dr. Ilathaway & Co. ?f 4 )>r' r.; St.-, Atlanta, Ga., as beir.fr per fectly reuaolowid remarkably successful intbo trftfiim-n!" cf iv.rocic diseases of men and wemen. Ehey curd when others fail. Oar readers if in aeod of medical help should certainly write these errunt-nt doctors and you will receive a free ind expert opinion of your case by return maj/ without cost. THE MEETZE CASE. Col. P. H. Nelsoo, the attorney of W. B Mesfzc, Jr., has just returned from Lexington, where be has been attending court When apfeed by a Record reporter ibis morning if he would apply for bail for b\s client he replied that he bad t ot yet decided what course be wcul pursue, except that the cape would crme up for trial at tbs approaching April term of the circuit court -Columbia Record. Falling Behind Last Year. Cotton Crop so Far is 204, 817 Bales Short. New Orieacs, March 2.-Secretary Hester' New Orleans Cotton Ex change [statement issued to day shows that the month of February ie behind last year's February, in round figures, 314,000 bales, and ahead of year beiore last 94.000. The iota! for Feburary was 579, 195 bales, against 893,341 last year and 75,636 year before last. The movement from the 1st of September to tbe ciose of February shows receipts of 7,236,061 bales, against 7,440,878 last year; Southern mill takings, exclusive of quantity consumed at Southern outporte, 742,506 bales, against 727,713 last year, and interior stocks in excess of those held at tbe commencement cf tbe Bea s on 350,848 bales, against 428,015 last year. The total amount of the cotton crop brought into sight during the six months ending at tbe close of February was 9,410,542 bale3, against 9,578,2 8 last year, and 7,612,097 year before last. Foreign exports for the first six months of tbe season have been 5,844,211 bales, showing an increase over last season of 440,202 and an increase over the same period year before iast of 1,170,420. The loss in foreign exports during February, compared with February last year, has been 107,859 bales, and the gain compared with the same Deriod year before last 128,063. Stocks at the seaboard and the twenty-nine leading Southern interior markets at the close of February were 1,287,244 bales, against' 1,743,139 tbe same ti last year. Including ports and interior townis left over from the previous season and the number of ba'ss of the cur rent crop brought into sight during the six months, the supply has been 9,678,108, against 9,694,822 last year and 7,950,646 the year before. Up to this date last year 85.52 per cen ; of the colton crop had been market ed and for the same six months ic 1897 the precentage of the crop brougt into sight was 86 92 Note- Included in February tata1, is 32,749 bales, plus correction by Norfolk Cotton Exchange This cor. rectiou will be added to the total for the season, but not to the movement of the current week. Another Dispensary Tragedy, Columbia, Feb. 28.-Dispensary tragedies come thick and fast. To Dight, only the third night after the Stnart killing, young Alex. Cartledge, a oewly-appoicted dispensary constable, is dead at the Columbia Hospital. He I was shot by William B. Meetze, Jr., a son of W. B Meetze, who is a most ardent opponent of (he dispensary law, aod always has been. The affray is directly to be credited to the dispensary law, and it is all the more to be re gretted because of the fact that the principal actors have heretofore been firm friends, having been members of Company K, of the 1st South Carolina regiment. The breach occurred over the appointment of Cartledge as State constable, and caimicated to-night io the killing of Cartledge by bis former friend and military companion. There is iitttle to be said about the shooting. There is little to be learned. Those who seem to know anything will not talk, acd it is a bard matter to get any one who knows anything about the ofair to speak. The evidence seems to be that Meetze, Charles Stone and another friend werewalking rp Gervais street. Jost in front of the restaurant of Tom Lane, colored, the party met, Meetze, it is said, accosted Cartledge aod told bim be bad beard that he (Cart ledge) bad beeo appointed a **spy.r' Cartledge said he was not a spy. Meetze said something in reply and told Cartledge be was lyicg. Cartledge re turned the lie to Meetze. The cursing progressed, and Meetze drew his pistol and fired on Cartledge. Stone was standing near by, after the shooting Cartledge pulled open his shirt and showed Meetze where he bad shot him. Meetze aod Stone theo went through Tom Lane's store, and after a brief talk Meeizs jumped over the baok fence aod weot directly to Sheriff Calh cart'e borne, where he surrendered himself. Mr W. B Meetze joined his son. and the three went to the jail, where youog Meetze was turoed over to the jailer. A promineut observer of iron trade conditions, both here and abroad, in an interview upon his arrival in New York city from England a few days ego, remarked that where one year ago we were offering concessions to English consumers, begging them to try our iron, now they are coming to U8 and eagerly accepting all the iron we can spare. They would scarcely look at it then at a reduction of five or six shillings from the price of English iron. Now they .accept it at one shilling less, or even, in some cases, six pence less. Now, as re gards the quality of American iron, Lincolnshire (England) iron ore con tains 1 5 per cent phosphorus and is therefore exceedingly brittle. For some purposes it is good, but for heavy castings and other goods of that nature the American iron is pre ferred.