The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, February 22, 1900, Image 6
'CRUEL":
l
THE GRAVE::
1
The Secret of Dunrayen ;
Castle.
. T
BY ANNIE ASHMORE. J
Author of "Faithful Margraret," Etc., Ete '
1
t'HAPTKK XVI CoutlMiifri.
Accrineton had b^en craecfully lotinp- 1
1n? a?a>n-<t tho mantel-piece opposim his
visitor, who had dec ined tho oTered |
<-hair. lie now straightened his tall form, j
and thn w ba k h a head with a satir cal i
look, w iich a most d.sguised his fierce ' 1
agitation. i 1
"And xnay one a^k w' at p^wer I have '
1? the matter?" demanded he.
"The pi.wer of the wronger to make !
reparation to ih? \vr need!" answered ;
Kdgar, sternly "(ol. Aecrington. it is !
useless to maintain any disguises. 1
have Icarue i the w hole histor.. of votir ;
dealings with l ord Inchcape ard his i
unhappy lady: and I have tome to you :
to entreat you for justice to them. "
For a n oment it seemed as if Ac orington
must spring upon iiini. so fierce i
was the glare of his eves, as he glow ercd
with rage and shame: hut he >t rnly
eontro led h in ol . and stood white |
and r ute, with clenched hands and
niiivering pu ses. while Kdgar went on
speaking.
"It was not Lt.1 Inchcape whoro'd
me the story: deeply cs he has suffered,
i know he wouid perish on the rack before
ho would sue your mercy, or allow
you to be sued on his beliali". Jiy a i
itfranpe chance I learned it. nevertheless,
and 1 call upon you to set the wife
right with the husband, and my Lord
lneheanc risht with his colleagues who
doubt, h.s Integrity through your
agency."
Accrington was too proud to deny: he i
(aw that Arden ha i the truth, and that 1
qui vocation wo a d not blind him. <
He sprang to see that the door was 1
fast, and remained in that end of the :
apartment, pacing swiftly to an fro 1
the on y relief lie permitted his violent I
excitement while lie strove to see the ^
whole importanco of this oxi ostire in its
relations to his ambit ous schemes 1
A wild ra_,o possessed him; he could !
have fal en ujon the insolent ac user
yonder and torn him limb from limb, if 1
that wou.d have given him back his '<
damning secret and silenced accusation 1
forever; but raurd r w.uild i.ot helji '
Jiirn, that lio kuew; and he struggled 1
with himself dcsiaTinsly forcomposu r.
1.1* n l .-,f tit!*
lUttt Jit' LU ^iiv MWJ ?\ *i?o naj vuo v< who
net which had so suddenly been thrown j
over h.m. ( . J
If Arden chose to utter this ac'cusa- <
tion in pi *>lic. Accrin:ton's chance ior '
clc. t on was ru.ncd nav, his verv residence
in Sa ford w as imp ssiblc; for defy s
the accuser as he m gilt he could not
disprove th ' arc i ation: and the whole (
country would side with the powerful
Inch ajoto ru !i he suspe, ted alien '
And Loviduy would despise as wol as 1
fear him! Lovodav. whom his fio-<o *
heart sail pur no . with hungeriu r co\- 1
etousne-s, while he watched for the o;e j
portunity to pounce u on her! ; 1
Would an thing induce t..is foolish '
Hon tjwi o e to be silent? 1 <
What did lie know.'
(fo. A cr.ugton turned his lower ins '
-eyes upon Ard? n, and s.ill striding a out, 1 J
said in a hoa sc. chanted voice:
"You have made an astonishing accn- <
sat ion be goou enough to inlorm me ex- ?
actly what >ou refer to?"
Aruen turned from him scornfully. II
*UW Uliit II jurum k\. Iiatv IV wui ? iu ,
*b?ft an J evasion: the c was no reah n?
his scare i conscience !
"I appea to your honor, Col Aecrington:
act the honest n;an: doright, thotuh 1
the li aven> should fa i. and ad richtc us 1
men shall respect you." lie or ed with en- j 1
ergy, striving to inspire the waver.ng I
joui that rr'ght ack but a spar* to k>n I
tile it into -.en" ros.ty. 1 1
but Acerlngt n could no longer art. :
the honest man; he ha I -<> Ion? made he- , 1
choce of evil instead ?f good, that liis :
v character had determined towards the J
i>ad; he must now act aec >r in? to the
* character which ho had framed. f
hor a few ii:o:iu nt? he s ood sti 1. gazing
furi usly at I daar, then ho wa kod
ttp to hini an I, still with his ler nous t
eyeball a rive toil upon Ldgar s, said 1
slowiv:
"Listen, lay bo'd mentor. I have per- , (
mittod you to h:i\o your say, because I .
wanted to catch your game, b t i will ;
allow no wo.d of a 1 th:s to be uttered i
in any other . carina than my own. I '
utter y decino to discuss my private \
affairs with you, or anv one el c and I i ,
warn you, that you arc meddling iti a ,
matter which may blow y m uong v. i li ' ,
Lord inchcanc, i to atoms 'll:e man is
-doting s irelv. to set \ou upon me."
"Aly Lord Jm hcapo knows nothing of ,
this appeal," said . cigar haughtily: -yon j j
must know 1 is natu e better iban to j
supp > c hat. ho ould crouch to his base i
foe for his rghts * ,
"Tha wor i sl:a eost voa dear!" said ,
Ac<ringion, t al.ng horribly as the word
"base." 'cil like lire upon his pride. .
"God knows 1 wish it was m supplied!" i ,
in.r.ri Arrfon 1'nlilli obs r ant of
liim "Now. sir. let us t? a p.1 or bus!- !
uess-like v.? w of the matter. If y"ii '
will c!o lyord Inchrape ustice befo o the
Lords of th*Ori ? al Mis-Ion. i proms; j
you to Withdraw insia tly from this con- i
tost fo the bo omrh of sal ford, and j
leave you to wa k over the course.' as !
you i hrase it. A few words of explaa- j
at ion from yon will convince tii so men i ]
??f his Intepritv, attaint d tor li e ou^ I
years ihroi ph no !au<t of ids What no ,
you say s a i you be the undisputed
member for Salfotd. at the cost of a lew
words of deserved seif-blame?"
"No!" thundered Accringtou, writhing
beneath the humiliating prujosal; fcif I
be a villain, as you will havo it, I ain no
mercenary villain; I wi 1 not seil mv
honor tor anyth ng more material than
revenge IJesone, insn t'ng fool: you
little kn w the spirit yon have roused.
Away with you, before I ft rget niv ch ili
alien and horsewhip you within my
:)wn doors'" And he towered over Kdjar
convuised with shame and rage.
"t on ref se my prayy r, then?" said
Edgar bitterly; "and a guiltless n an
must suffer on to save Richard AccringLon's
spurious pr do' Well, sir, 1 ha e
t.ven you your thane: 1 fha 1 now on
>oso right against year poor craven
. ;,?!? ca/. trh!/?li trlnk tho htlflP.
jood evening, sir; you shall not win the
jieciion t is time; J know ray poopio
ind am hero."
With a low how he wi'hdrcw. and
ked out of the magnificent residence,
:h nking of the tortured countenance of
M jroiid and guilty owner.
"i he game is lost!" he sighed, as he
rode down the fine avenue, "and I must
ook for aid.
He wont direct to the Hamilton, and
iSKod for Mrs. Dellameie.
hhe came to him smiling, rtdiant; it
was lov lv to see the peace and gladnea*
in her eyes.
"Lovedav is safe home," ah* ra?rmu.od,
yielding her hand willingly to
h earnest grasp of the friend she
trusted wholly: "Aliueron ai d 1 went to
Ml>er?treara early this morning and
Drought her homo betore anv of our ao
)i.uiutancos were astir. 1 really believe
>hn will es ape unharmed; and the wed1
iij is to b<- soon. Squire v recv inJ his
wife are with us now; they always loved
ray girl."
['clear can ht at this opport nity
rrhcn a one with Mrs Le lanicre. to a-k
"or the history of M.ss Deliamere s adventure
As she to'd it he could easily trace tlie
:ireniedita ed s he i cs of Accrington
through tlio apparent accidents \v..ieh
lia i befallen the pair: and as he comtrehende
1 the strength of Accrington's
passion, wh cli had prompted him to
omrnit such a piece o." madness to g in
possession of ts ob ret, lie began to
tremble for Miss Deliamcre's future
alet v.
"The sooner the marriage is. tin bet
:cr it w 1 be for Miss L>? I am ere,'' sa d
ic to her mother. "That man lias not
: v mi her up yet., it is not hi such a
aaiure to a< ee t defeat "
-1 feel as yon do about him," returned
Mrs Do Ha in ere, anxious y -To io-e
i r would have been bitter enough. b.it10
ce her won by another will b; un ndurablc.
Ho may ako another
mat h at her. Ah! what can I do? I
i;u alone save for my servants: I da o
lot be sure that I can protect her And
lie is wiiy and strong. 1 am afraid, .\ir.
\r.lon, tni erably afraid!''
-Does Miss Del ainere quite know the
character of her fierce lover?" asked
Be par
"i have never accused him," said she.
ivith a gesture of repuision "Nat ri
Iv. I ha e shrunk from the idea of reicali
g th vice of such a past as his to
mv white son od gir. And 1 trust it is
iow tiLitcc ssar. to warn l o.eday
. - - . i if ,\,A
i ;i 11> iin i-x-u ii vim nut
\uberon. she wouid never again fancy
\ccrington. for sirs fears nn l (i strusts
ii:n vehement v s ace the late revelation
>f hi- unscrupulous policy. And she
oves An heron deeply."
"Cannot yon hasten the marriage?"
>u 'gested l-.dgar.
"I do not know how 1o do that withjut
g ving her explanations whi Ii would
tattle and distress her and she is so
:appy! ? h. let ?s guard her from sor"ow
as well as frcm peril, if we can!
an I re v unon yon. my frend, to help
tic to koep my treasure safely "
"Dear lady, need yo ask.' 1 sha'l keep
.catch over vol. Accrlngton's niovonents:
and he you vig .ant .n vour < are
if your daughter. In a few days I trust
hat I i an tu n the tables ujo i the enort.
and put him to i.i: lit. And now may
i tee Mi"s . e la ere?*'
.v.rs I)e lamer looked earnestly in his
'* nmroe Viii )?.? /I
atr, n Uiiurj iu;^ n uut a*- ?i\ >u
j.er 1 ol. Acer nutnn: b t as he d d n t
. xplain, siic led hiin to the room where
oreday was. in the mid. tof her future
lonnections
Ard< u had always been a favorite of
tors, and she welcomed him home to
a fo.d once more w.th a very pre ty
tt;:>t of enthusiasm prophe->inir his
t'.ctoiy ovt r the rival cand date and his
manin.o is e.c tion by the people of bal'urJ
? he was in radiant .spirits: the yrief
svhi h had oppressed her -o lonir was all
:onc tow: Aube.o ovod her. and th y
nero betrothed. Mam a w is del ??hto ,
1 d Mr. a..d Mrs. ( recy enchanted; how
ti.ipoy she was:
lint thonjrh Pdsa misht smile at her
:au v w t herios and s mpntliizo with
Atabcron'si loudle <s jO , hcolteiitho jrht
?with a cuaw.ug thrill a; the hea .
?"f a proud, hy l rinco s of the beat
ivho dwe t afar on lonely eat-na
reckon, and who wept because sue
Icemed him dead.
CHAPTER XVII.
I WITNESS TO II It I NOCENCE !
Next evoi i z. ' dzar having . usiroturne
. irom a day aim ng li electors.
aas grecto i with the nc.v that .Mr. >iro
be had a r v? d within lue nou . . n t
Unit j.ord In h ape ties.red to see >.r.
Arden at ouce.
. dgar h iiml mv lord at home: he had
lot n-ccived hi secretary until he could
au e j.near to support Itiin
"1 ha I dt? whatever vo i p ea c. my
ear i.dgar," ad In lor iship, and lie
hnwed h.m into hi ?rv te sanclurn
w tli the door a ar. that K< gar
igui near in mover iiimii tin i uji^i ?i
it hi* cue. '1 Leu Jie sent for lii? secretary
.otli m n started when they met each
>ther Si combo niisse.i lii hope e > look
in the i an' woin tace, and cud In< Ilea
p? wa- a ton shed at the ha.gard
.ban e o.i Si ? ? moo s.
i.e ou d not x ie s that hi so ret ry
!iad itn unci blood st;i -inco .a t
lie saw it in
t.tijtar could It at* 1 y r cocnl c ilte
liusaV, hes tat n t \oice which answered
i ,ord hubcap.- in tines concern
the ad e oit Sica -na reckon.
"Ne.thcr of them s we 1 as usual!
What i the mute ?" e\ lanued ord
lncheapc, repeating sir oinbe o words.
"A rather painful occurrence happened
last week, wh ch com-, to ha c
caused them gr at d.stres returned
.Sircombc. turning away his face un<
o.ulortab'y. "A young man who had
been ca>t ashore from a \acht in a storm
wa recei ed into the tow.r by my iady,
and nursed back to h a th He was a
stranger, but a gent.cman, and knew
how to recommend hinisc f to my ladies
l.ast week he < haneed to go out alone in
the skill, and was drowned This has
* ilic.ed the ladies gr a;ty: they have
been overwhelmed with grief."
"He was drowned!" echoed Eord Ine'ncaoe,
auiazedly, f r "f this portion of the
story Edgar had said nothing
Tne secretary ga.e an account, of the
stranger's so ouru at the island, aud
with obvious confusion i.ar ated his melancholy
end
'1 he Karl was puzziea. out presently
dro; ped the abject a d took up the
business he had sent for Sinouibc to
discuss.
"Air. Siriomb?." sad he, a'rupt.lv.
looking him fu<I in the face, "why have
you deceived me."
Sircombe turned pain as death, and
! waited for m re. but the 1 arl, by dgar's
instructions, added not another
I word.
"I?I am at a lo s," stammered lie.
; "To what, ean your lorJsltip al u .e?"
"Hewarc, sir! You shall tc 1 me tin
truth at last," sa.d J.ord lncucape,
sternly.
S rcombo sank Irck in his chair half
faint ng. II s onlv thou.h was that in
j some upernatu.al way I.ord Inchcapo
' had discovered the truth of the young
j stranger s di appearance
l or a moment, no wish cl thai nc naa
! in his pock t a pin< !i of poison, that he
| might swallow it before his r..i? fell up;
on him.
I t orly spec bless, Iip could onlv
glare at his patron and struggle for
j breath.
"I s e you Know too \vo!l to what I a!1
hide." cried Li.rd Inchcapc, in sudde t.
; tierce triumph. "Your ery looks c ndemu
you. and Drove that a foul w.otiz
ha - been d me the innocent."
| ercv, mercy " my ord!'' gasped
I tn.v Kr.n'il(i?rnil tn nit?Lr llis
OII IIMUUV, l?ll fcuw in HXIVIVM ?- r?~
; words. "It was done on the impul e of
j a moment of madness, and bitterly re
pouted?aye, with t.ars of tortur.ng
i anguish."
"Strange repentance, that brought no
reparation " ried i ord lnrhcapo. scorn
I fully "and that allowed yo i to live at
J ea<o in the very presence of your un'
happy victim!"
u h. (?od forgive tnei" groaned the
wrot'he I man. convineo 1 that a I was
d,s ovcred by the i arl, and overwhelm d
w tli shame and fear "If my d'e could
, purchase his. I wduld yield it up gladly."
j vVhile Lord In hcape was staring in
i aston shmepf at this inroinprehensi le
speech the door opposite Mrcombe
i swung open and Julgar ArJcn stood beJ
fore him.
He started up. glare I, gate one
I scream, and fell in a dead faint
Lo-d Jucheapo's eyes in .nircd of Edgar
the meaning of all this.
"Leave bin to me, now, mv lord."
whispered Edgar radiantly. "All is g,?
ing on admirably. express no surprise,
I only speak when I look at. >011."
j A minute or two restored the seere*
I tarv, he got up from tin- earpet with r.ci|
gar's help, and Hung hints If into lii<
j eitair with a groan, <ovcring his fate
; with his hands.
i lie itad never fainted in his lift- l>e>
fore; but he was not a strong man phys|
it ally, and his recent distress of mind
i had reduced what -tie to he had bes
des. the s d ion apparit o 1 of the man
i he ha . supposed dea l in the cell of the
Southern bastion, was enough to overI
come any one
j And now as he cowered there before
the two gcntictnen he was thinking himself
a ru tied 11 an even the acute relief
of finding his vi tim alhe a ,d himself
j no murderer, was not enough to beguile
1 him from his dread of consc tten es
"iou s e there was a mistake a'out
my fate." said Edgar as soon as he
I tfio- ght Sircom c was able to fol ow liis
: locating "I was ->av? d from a cruel
death, whh h won d have eft Lor.i IncliI
cape without his heir." Sircombe
' started and dropjwd his hands from h s
! aha-t y ace ~Yes, I am Edgar Ardeti."
1 c iitinued Edgar "and althou h I entered
ltn raven Tower bv arc denr.
! ignorant of Lady Inehcape's | resen v
j there 1 suo i reeogni-ed h r and as
sa ed my privilege as a relative to care
for her welfare. I ind cod Iter to con*
i !;do l or sorrow to i e I learned the
j whole li storv; and I I> ftSle.at-na-v're k]
en pled eil to vindicate i.er as a true wife
! to my Lord In h ape. He his surnj
inoneil you to repair tho foul wrong yon
ha e done I a ly In hcapo by withhoidI
int testimony whi.li would have proved
; her innoen e. And Mr fcircora e, 1
j a lv se you tc do o." added Edgar sig|
n'fi ant!and forcing the secretary to
meet iiis e es.
| Tin? whole situation was c car tj irj
combe now.
| JU his agitation at lirst he had so
i criminated hi ..se f that he must confess
; to some wrong which ho had committed
' it \va- c idem tha Ardeu had not as yet
u posed ho attempt iu ;do on los life to
Lord iiC iea; e, an I <hat lie meant to
j c'nnpel a onfo s i n on ! a 1 y In ti ape's
j behalf as the pri o of his s;,< r. e Anvj
iou-lv reviewing wliat he had saiJ in the
! interv ew. he believed that lie had be!
traved nothing i!iat ivm; d not lit in as
reniose for his gni t toward l.ady nrh
ca e; at al events, he was can lit in a
*""? 1??? ? not e/ihlovj fn oimi.t hin?r
"I u n ready to do any thins I can for
La.ly in In:a) c," said lie, humbly. "ndeed,
I sliou d ha e suppli-ated Lord
Inclicapo on hor bo ha f long ago, had 1
, supioscd lie \vi hod to be.ieve her iuno"Hypocrite!"
exclaimed the Earl indignant
y. "i ong ag > 1 would have
taken her i a k to my heart, even had
??li been gu Ity o lov nir another, hut
for yo.ir insidious whisperings! uh. how
i ' have been betrayed And deservedly;
how could I dare to doubt her!"
He turned awa- with clenched hands
arul cow ing b:ow: griei, shame and
anger gnawed at his heart.
hat we re mire of you,"said Kt*^ar.
"is thai, you will endeavor to re all s
certain conversation which took piace
between Lady incheaoe and Colonel
I Acerington that night when a due. was
1 fou.ht in cuusc ueucc._ 'ihe position of
'
' your room rendered it Impost' le for
| yuii 10 avoid hear nir every word that
| was spoken by Lady Inchcape, whj
, stood on tiie balcony above vour open
j window, and by Col ncl Accriiigton. who
: stood in the gar leu before it
i "Vour testimony will prove her inno;
cence, and show how hopeless was Ae
cr ngton's purs.it of her. Ikt careful.
! then, that you do not falsify one sylla
ble. This, sir, is the only re^ariciou
' von can offer for the grievous wiong
you have done "
i Sire .inbe writhed iu humilia'ion.
i How so cranly he had a'firmed that he
j had heard nothing, in those days when
i Lord Incheape's faith in his wife hung
; ?ipon ins testimony.
j And now be must stultify himself; 1 e
must expose his 'rooked policy, and show
! that, in o do to inainta n a cornfo table
! ascendency in his pat. on s house he had
; done his bost. to keep husband and w fe
! sunde fid for yea-si Fain would lie ha o
i refused to recollect a wo d of the con|
ve.sation in uestion. but the esolute
exp ossiou of Edgar Arden's face louted
i that idea.
He must, citho * confess to hypoc-isv
! er be denounce i fo a crime as odious as
; inn.dor. He was con jue ed.
i "I am willi g to o what you dosi e.n
! said he ' but how am J to recall nconve
sation heard five years ago? No
mo tal c >uld The sense emain?with
: me. bu if my life depended on it Icon d
: in ? i uote the exact phrases employed by
! the two uneakers."
"1 shall . ot loavo >ou that excuse "
| ?aid Lord In heape. who had, unseen by
Si combe spread my lad 's man script
before hi n at the pape in question.
! ' When olonel Ac rin ton saw Lady
Inchcape standing on the alcouy d reelj
ly above your window, did he not can'
tion her to s; eak softly because of your
. pro imity?"
"That I belicte. was what was sa d."
stammered the secret a y in astonishment
and then he saw the papo s before
the Earl an 1 crimsoned with shame,
borne other w.tnosses ha l come forI
ward, then with his t stimony which the
j Ear. had noted down and which was to
I be a test of his own tiuth now As'
s sted by these notes there could be no
I more shamm np fo pctfulness; he must
j speak out.
"In what terms did the Colonel mention
you?" proceeded Lord Inthcaio.
I "Inso ently," answered Sircombe. who
I had never forcrott n or forgiven tho impertir.ence.
"And coupled with an
odious insinuation. lie implied that my
lord's secretary would not hesitate 10
; trade on my iady s secrets if lie coulfl
; see his advantage in it I.ady lnehcapo
allowed the s ander to pass unquestioned,
which injiiatice naturally irritated
me, for my attachment to my
patron s interest ha l been mostdevot d."
"And this is your excuse for the injury
you did her?" said inchcape, eo itemi
tu usiy. "How b ind y I have
toilet...I a ..Mitinl linf nrnccftd What
was Lady In -licape's reply?"
"She asked why he had desert >d his
post, or some such reproach The
(on net, I think, e<ousod himself by
qiuting his desire for a recon illation
before tiicy should part; he spoke as a
lover won d speat "
"Y?mgive a very fret; trans'ation, sir."
\cla nvd Lord Inchcape. stcr ly; "rciiiein.
or that I have the truth before me,
and be more exact. I shall suiter 110
distortions. Richard Ac rington spoke
as a lover, true, bet was it not as a
scorned and rejected lover? Answer
me."
Tie did sue for more mercy, I now remember."
rductantlv owned Sircombe,
whose stubborn pride revolted at every
self-condemning admission he was
ob iged to make.
"Well, and the lady's answer?"
".she reproached iiini for writing her a
clandestine letter, and for the imped nee
of paying her a compromising visit at
such an hour " lie stopped short,
ujwinc his lip.
treaeho oik secretary
"io.i have str used hard to ni.rntain
the appearance of i.avinp suspected
Lady In l.c.ipe." sail he. sternly: "and
of course 1 un cr* an wbv it ?'a< tie*
i ?ni y excuse for tlie part you have since
! pia>ed I etween I or an . ine
"ifi.t now. mi thi- la o of this tostinio'iv,
corrob ran-1 a it l:a< been I).
' >our<olf. (I re yo sti I harbor t!ie fa tit
| < sh ide of susp e on a ala t that
pniitless la ly? >p ait. sir: I wi 1 be an
! swen il '*
liarinp an J sickenin? with shr'tne, tii
I secreta-y w::? lorced :o art \v lit this.
| his la-t, po .r rap of d fens - f??r dpar"
! fierce eye b;i ed ui oil h :n a?lie hesita
?-d. a:i I tiie w therinp Secrn of , n h
i ape's p.ancc convi .ced hi.n tiiat he was
uot to be do n eJ
"I believe in her int o en^c." rnu tered
he. with bowed bead and ashen lip.
' 4 ... j. . l .?.?e,j?p. ..
"Conlinu*!" thundered Lord Inohcnp#.
j ".My lord, I can recall no more." prolested
Sirconibe. enjoying tin- equivocal
light, he had put the lady's frurds in
"Was it anything like th si'"demanded
the Kari, who read as follows: 'Th re
?an he no amity between you and me.
You ha e dared to wr to me a clandes*
ti <? letter; well, listen to mo I have
not read it. You haveoome back to pay
me a compromising visit you shall gain
nothing by that but a disgraceful expos*
\ ure: for I am about to eall mv household
to prote t me from the insu ts of a
midnight intruder.' Well. .Mr. S.rcombo,
41o you lecolloct these words?"
>i room be bowed in silenro. What use
to rebel any longer? lie saw that Lord
Inchoape was in possession of tho truth,
and that fdgar Ar.icu was ready to denounce
him if he evad* d it.
"Can \on recall C lonol A crington's
! response?" demanded tuy .ord.
was a menace, her ely delivered
lie spone of his love turning to hatred
and levenge. \;y la ly then delied hi in.
and tho i olonel taunted her with dedvi
ering over your lordship ti his voni
geane . and pioinisod to w rk his will
uDon jon At that moment, it i am
! not mistaken, th y heard the aopoaeh of
i your I' rclslii|\ and t olo e Acer 112ton
anuscd himself by paint lift the s spiciou*
appca.ancf th ir situation must
have in ; <aious husear.d's eyes, and bv
pro .busying the s andai which woo d
e isiic. 1 her was no an wer Iron ady
j nchcapc: when next 1 h ard h r voice
she was at my . our. ord ring me to fol
low you and o'onel At cringto 1 "
I.ore Inch ape .aid d wn tiic raanul
script, and r. s witn a lon x iireath.
n? tiv,.<J ins ouiet naze upon his
| "And always have?* pursued the Earf.
"And, always have!" whispered 8irI
conibe; and lid buried bis ace in hi*
| hands with a groan of heartfelt dograda'
tiou
I Hut my lord and his young kinsman j
j turned towarJ each other wit i outI
stretched hands: eye sought e .e in onI
speak able cmot.on borgott a was the
i crushed wretch behiud them: tho last
' faint d ubt of sweet uzelonde Inchcape
, wa c.earVd a \ t y her husband's heart
I trusted in her as of yore.
One strong, hand clasp, and a mytueiit|
ary | a ing of the majestic face, aud my
j lord was nin.sen a.a o.
j -And this I owe to you, Edgarf ke i
I sad. fenenty. Vm
j -Well, ray boy. 1 cannot fitly thank T
. yon; but I trust the time may come when
I 1 may possess the power to give you ibe
I d 'Siro of your hea. t, as you have this
; day givon nic the do ire of m ne.
j i e was interrupted by a sudden movei
mcnt of Sircombe'a: ho was groping
blindly for the door, his fa o pale as
aea h. and convulsed with despair.
The two men regarded him in dismay;
no n ortal spending sickne s c uld have
! turned the > m n li.ore hagrard, old, or
i broken, than had the intoerable expos- 1
! ure of his baseness. Ay, but was there
[ not lomething more Intolerable?
Had not the last blow fai en, when my
: Lord Incbca o vowe j to givo r.dgar Arj
den the ucsire of his heart, if it ever i
; should bo in his power to do so?
j And did not Edgar Arden lo e sweet
| Ulva, daught rof this gratfui inchcapc?
I Could it be poss ble, in th s strange
j word, t'-at the old, grave, bookish seci
Vi-iri #i:ir?d t#i feel sweet Ulva a
I " 1 j
fascination with a man's perception?
I Dared lie love her?
Thus flashe J Edgar's thou hts, torn}
ng all his compassion to scorn; but, my
l lord, who had not the key to Sircotube's
| secret, spoke out of the nubil.ty of his
! spirit.
I "Stay one moment, Mr. Siroombe: you
I have wronzed me greatly; that I might
; have forgot ton. if you bad not wronged
, my be o\od wife far wo so.
"fet.ll. in considera ion of tho many
I years which you have given to my service,
I shall not be unmerciful I am
1 obliged to d sm ss you yet I cannot conj
temp ate you suffering in mere temporal
j manors i snau proviuu juu mm a
j home and moans to support it bonoraI
b y, but it must bo far awiv fr ra Die
i und mi ie. Farewell, sir; 1 desire to sm
j you never mora "
fro BE COXTIXUBD.j _ _ .
iic Had .Married Money.
"Glad to see you looking so well, old
ruan." an id the friend of a newly married
benedict. "This is the fltst opporlunlty
I lmve had of offering my congratulations
on your recent marriage.
From the look of things 1 guess you've
married money. Well, it was the rightj
thing to do. That floor walking berth
; of yours must have been awfully bor
injr. Is she iu? I sliouui nice 10 oc introduced."
i "Oh, she's at work." said the husband,
with a placid smile.
"At work! What do you mean?'*
' askeil the friend.
"Well, you see. it was this way." replied
the benedict. "She nail a much
better position than mine. Head of Wher
department. Forty dollars a week.
J Wouldn't give it up. So there was
nothing for it but for me to retire 'row
business and keep house and here
am. you see. You have to let women
have their way in some things."?St.
Louis Republic. ,
Registration Notice.
The office of the Supervisor of regio?
(ration will be opened on tno firat
3 ? thrt Mn
Juonuay in bvcij uiuuvu ..... -
days imraiciately following, ior the
purpose of the registering of any person
who ia i.;ahfied as follows:
Who shall have been a resident of
the State for two years, of the county
> one year and of the polling precinct
in which the elector offers to vote four
months before the day of election, and
shall have paid, six months before any
poll tax then due and payable, and
who can both read and write any Motion
of the Constitution of 1895 submitted
to him by the supervisors of registration,
or can show that he owna,
and has paid all taxes collectable dor*
tng the present year on property ia
thie State assessed at three hundred
dollars or more. J. J. EADDY,
Clerk of Board.
I
"-A ? ?i ni/ra n nnn
mil. j. unt
manufacture s of
; 1'OORS, SaSII, blif'DS, mouldings
: .a in i >
Building Haterial.
Dealers in Sash Weights, J
| Cord, Hardware, Window glass,
t^tc.
We guarantee ..in work
uperi.?i to any ?.nhi i. 'hiyoiiy,
ill Seing <if ml" n .nilfaCnre
I E.n.hACKBRs t ,ot fietor*
CHaKI.^ION. ' 5. CJ
: i. ..