Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 580 — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

i Ste eee di a ae er» ee Shadowing a Shadow. and despair. His hands were clinched, and} he announced, and insisted that she must go. there was a wild, determined look in his eyes. ‘‘T have been a fool, just as Gonsalvo de- clared,” he muttered, ‘‘lam sorry now that I And so it was arranged as ily as possible, An honr later and the mother and daughter were made known to each other, and the scene died, Of late years Mrs. Milburn’s memory has been gradually returning, and a few weeks ago she engaged a detective to search out for her the mystery of the past. I am that detective. L did not let that knife seek his heart. By | that followed must be left for the imagination | set to work, with such vague clews as I could heavens, it may not be too late yet! I will see! todepict. Kinworth did not make known his | get, and now my task is about successfully ac- about it.” identity to the youug lady, and had requested | complished, I will not go over the particulars: Half an hour later found him in the presence of the dark-visaged doctor. ‘* Well, and what now?’ was the doctor’s de- mand, ‘* That detective shall die!” the banker hissed. ‘‘T was a fool to save his life last night, I want you to kill him--” ‘*Ha, ha, ha! You have come to your senses, have you? Well, you are too late to engage my services in that line, I am preparing to get out of the country, and you had better be doing the saine thing. You don’t want to put it off until it is too late,” ‘*What! you are running away, when one man out of our path will give us both safety!” Mrs. Milburn not to do so, so for the present he was simply Mr. Armstrong. CHAPTER XXXVIIL SURPRISING DISCLOSURES. Five days passed, and Dr, Hubbler of San Francisco had arrived. The time had been — by Kinworth in try- ing to restore Mrs. Milburn’s memory by bring- her in constant contact with once-familiar scenes, He had nearly succeeded, Now her Semcry flashes were of longer duration, ana occasionally she would add something new to her store of memories of the past. ; of my work, for that is not necessary, but will simply sum up the results.” The detective paused for a moment, and all] present were found paying the closest attention, especially Blackwall, ‘*Before I proceed further,” Kinworth re- sumed, ‘‘ let me ask Mrs, Milburn if she remem- bers this?” As he spoke he drew from his pocket the leaf with the family record upon it, which he bad found on the night when he bad rescued Black- wall from the hands of the footpads. The lady took 1t, and the banker’s eyes opened wide as he saw it brought to light. Mrs, Milburn looked at it for a momeut, in- ‘*Fool! You threw that away last night! It| On the day after his arrival Dr. Hubbler had arf and then exclaimed: is too late now. Yes, Iam about to get out of | been given a chance to see young Blackwall, **Yes, yes! [ remember it well! It is the the country. I havea duel on hand, and after | Kinworth desired to know whether he reminded | record of my own family! I wrote it in my I have laid out my man I shall be off.” the doctor of the Henry Abington who had left | Bible soon after Essylt was born. Ob! I re- ‘‘A duel, you say? Whom are you going to fight?” e No matter, since you have no hand init. I almost wish that it were with you, for by your consummate weakness at a critical moment you have ruined everything. Come, get out of m house, for I have no more time to waste wit ou!” 4 The order was peremptory, and the banker took his leave without another word. It seem- ed that every support was failing him. He al- most wished that he was dead. In the mean time the duel between Dr. Gon- salvo and Dugald Cambeth bad been hurried to a certainty. It was all arranged, They were to meet at a lonesome place on the Jersey shore on the Hudson, without seconds, and were to fight to the death. The doctor was confident of winning. He was a good shot, and revolvers were the wea- pons Cambeth had chosen. Both men were desperate. Both loved the same woman, as such men love—if it can be called by so holy a name; and both were de- termined, Dr. Gonsalvo had arranged for immediate flight. And he intended to take Miss Parmilye with him as his bride! Already he had sent a note to her, telling that he expected to call at a certain hour. He intended to use desperate means. He would drug the housekeeper, carry the young lady to his own house, and there the ceremony would be performed, Then flight would follow. The men met at the arranged place and hour, No person was near to witness their fight, and they wasted no words in talk, but got right to work, Examining their weapons, they moved away from each other backward a certain number of paces, and then opened fire. Both men were struck at the first skots, as they showed by the sudden start each made, and a stream of blood flowed down Cambeth’s rae The ductor’s left arm was rendered use- ess, They raised their weapons and fired again. Again both sbots told. Cambeth’s shoulder re- ceived one bullet, while the other buried itself in the doctor’s breast, at which he staggered, but did not fall, A third time the reports of tueir weapons rung out spitefully, and the bullets went home, Another was lodged in the doctor’s breast, and the one from his weapon cut into Cambeth’s heart, and instantly he fell forward upon his face, dead, ; The doctor, too, was mortally wounded, and well did he know it, Staggering forward to where the era. of his opponent lay, he drew a dagger from the lining of his coat and plunged itinto the lifeless form with vengeful force, Time after time his arm rose and fell, the life-blood gushing from his own mor al wounds with every effort, and at last he Mrs, Milburn in his care so many years ago. The doctor was now an old man, but his mind was clear, bright, and vigorous, and heanswered without hesitation that the young man was the very counterpart of the Henry Abington he had seen twenty-six years before, Kinworth was satisfied, The day following that was the one fixed upon as the day of the denouement. The place was the late residence of Sigbert Parmilye, At the hour of ten several persons were as- sembled in the parlor of the house, and were awaiting the arrival of others, * were, first, Mrs. Milburn and Miss Par- milye, and Mrs, Ekyngs and Mrs. Swann. Dr, Hubbler was there, and also Mrs, Snipes and Mr. Woggs. The latter pair sat as close to- gether as young lovers are supposed to sit, A little after the bour there was a ring at the bell, and Mrs. Swann answered it. She ad- mitted Mr. Armstrong, Mr, Blackwall, Mr. Griffit, and an elderly gentleman whose identity was unknown. Biackwall was pale and nervous, and looked as though he had rather be dead than be there, He had been forced to come. He had had his choice between that and arrest. Of two evils, he had chosen what he considered the least. They entered the room and took seats, and without delay the detective proceeded with the business in hand, ‘** We are here for the purpose of righting a terrible wrong, as far as it is possible to make it right,” he began, ‘‘and to prove the identit of certain persons. In order that we may all heave a clear understanding of the case, I will give the particulars: ‘‘Some thirty years ago one Reuben Whit- ford carried on a banking business on Wall street in this city. He bad a daughter named Celeste. In his employ was a young man named Hepvry Abington. This young man married Miss Whitford. They were married on July 30th, 1854. On June 5th, 1855, a son was born to them, and on May 20th, 1858, a daughter. On August 10th, 1858, Mr. Whitford died, and it was found that his business was in very bad condition, When bis affairs were settled there was little left, His son-in-law was enraged at this state of affairs, as he had counted upon coming into a handsome fortune. He began to ill-treat his wife, who was in delicate health, and in a little time her mind gave way and she be- came mildly insane, ‘Taking his children, he put them into the care of a woman named Mrs, Swann, This is the lady,” indicating the housekeeper, ‘‘ He then gave his name as Sigbert Parmilye. That done, he took his invalid wife away, ostensibly for her health, but really to put her in the in- sane angio of Doctor Hubbler of San Franb- cisco, This gentleman is Doctor Hubbler, and this lady is the woman who was left in his char twenty-six yearsago. There Abington gave his name as Henry ncred, and made the false statement that the woman was his sister, and 0°00 OO eee neers eS SS SS stenoses sensei? member it well; 1 now remember it all—evervy- thing! At last the past is all clear! It has all come back to me now! Why, both of my chil- dren had the same birthmark, a—-” ** Wait a few moments, please!” the detective interrupted. ‘‘I am glad that, at last, your memory is restored. It is what I expected would take place to-day, after the rapidity with which it has been improving since you came to New York. But let me finish my story: “When Abington returned to New York, after an absence of four years, he went to the place where he had left his children, There he still used his assumed name of Parmilye, and the disguise in which he had first appeared in that character, During his absence one of the chil- dren, the boy, had been lost. He had been al- lowed to play in the street, and one day he wan- dered away from the house and was never seen again, The daughter was still with Mrs, Swann, however, and she was a pretty little child of five, From that time Mrs. Swann became Mr. Par- milye’s housekeeper, and Miss Parmilye was brought up under her care until she was old enough to zo abroad to school, Mr. Parmilye was at bome but little, and never slept in bis bouse more than once or twice a month when he was in the city. He had an office of some sort down-town, and it was supposed that be spent most of his time there. So his life went on un- til a short time ago when he died—as people generally supposed. ** But, in the mean time, what of Henry Ab- ington, since we know that be and Sigbert Par- milye were one and the same? That part of the mystery I will now disclose, When he, Henry Abington, left San Francisco he went to New Orleans. There he appeared under the assumed name of Mancred Blackwall—” Exclamations of surprise interrupted, and al? eyes were turned upon the banker, who shrunk back into his chair with a groan. ** "Yes. that is the man!” the detective affirm- ed. ‘**He and Henry Abington are one and the same. In New Orleans he married—or, rather, became a bigamist, aud two years later came to New York, where be entered into the banking” business with himself as bis own partner! In other words, all these vears be has been playing” a double role. Mancred Blackwall and Sigbert. Parmilye and Henry Abington are one and the same person!” ** No, no!” exclaimed Essylt, springing up, ‘that cannot be true!” ‘** It is the terrible truth,” the detective insist- ed. ‘Is it not so, Henry Abington?” address- ing the banker, ‘It is the truth,” the banker groaned. ‘** All these years he has been playing this as- tonishing double role,” the detective repeated. “You cannot grasp it? Let me explain what seems impossible. When Blackwall set out for New Orleans, he went no further than Philadel- phia. That night he returned, and on the next. day appeared at the bank as Sigbert Parmilye. Is this not so, Mr. Griffit?” 29 } v ‘ vf ie ; @ fell forward, to expire a few moments later. that the death of her bushand and children had ‘‘It is the truth,” the head clerk affirmed. a It was an anita scene, but no one wituessed | destroyed her reason. He paid for one year’scare | ‘‘We played the game with great care, so that: on it, and when by accident the bodies were finally | and treatment, said that he would come again, | no one else in the bank ht suspect.” 4 found, which was not until a full year later, | and went away. He was never seen or heard | ‘ When Mr. Parmilye died, as was supposed,” they were beyond recognition. from after that. the detective went on, ‘‘ Blackwall was tele- + In the mean time, that is—during the time of the duel, Detective Kinworth had not been idle, Of course he knew nothing about the affair, but he bad other inportens work onhand. He fear- ed to leave Miss Parmilye unprotected any longer, for now he did not know what step might be taken by Blackwall. Ajjopting his disguise, he went to her home. He was readily admitted, and arrived just after a note had come from vO, iss Pirmilye mentioned it, as it stated that Mr. “The lady grew better, and finally got well, but her memory of the past was gone. She could remember nothing. All she knew of the past was what her villain of a husband had told the doctor, and that was false. She had re- tained, however, her knowledge of music, and when she was discharged from the asylum she sought employment as a teacher. She found a place in the home of Mr. Milburn. Later, his wife died, and some time after that he married Mrs. Abington. This was eight years after she graphed for. answered the message. Parmilye was buried. r Gonsalvo—who has disappeared and cannot be found—had given him a arug that had made him seem dead, but, on the nizht after the. funeral, he dug the “yd up and resuscitated the g comatose man, As bert Parmilye, Henry Abington went to Philadelphia, and when the time was ripe he returned to New York as Man-. cred Blackwall, Is this not so, sir?” An accomplice in New Orleans - ** It is true,” the ap man assented, “*There is one part of this business which IT __ have promised not to reveal,” the detective went on, “‘ and, as it does not concern the mat- ‘ ter in hand I will pass it over.” He referred to the insurance scheme. ‘‘ But, there is more to a be cleared up,” be continued. “You say you Two years ago, after fifteen years of happy | remember that both of your children hadthe __ wedlock with his second wife, Mr. Milburn ' same peculiar birthmark, Milburn?” \ we | i $3 Gomicbooks. corr eel ) | - : <j | Blackwall wanted her at the bank at four o’clock to sign important papers, and vo re- quested the favor of accompanying her, Tnis was his ruse to have her dressed for the OR ee ae eee uber aritiinntt Aiveneciiied-63 nworth ex , and al- so warned ce cectaes Blackwall himself. He bad come to take her to her to her mother had been left in the asylum, It was understood that she was a widow, and so believed herself, but it was not so. Her former husband was living. As she bad not seen him in all that tim however, she was legally free, and her secon marriage was perfectly valid.