Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-01-15
gu 0riginal Stprg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
DESTINY;
OR,
HOUNDED DOWN.
itten for the Yorkville Enquirer.
BY NELLY MARSHALL McAFEE.
CHAPTER TX.

CEAP1Eh Ia.
The warning Of old Mrs. Mcdonald had
made Gertrude mad with jealousy. Had she
coolly watched the process of the amour be-
tween Mrs. Vaughn Fessenden and her hus-
band, she could not have failed to notice that
it was one.sided affair that Mrs. Fessenden
BETRAYED not shadow of interest in the man;
that she treated him with marked coldness
and disdain-indeed, too marked discourtesy,
considering the fact that she continued to be
a guest at Mcdonald Manor. 1t might
also have been noticed that she seemed always
to be wrapt in silent and profound melan-
choly. Poor Gertrude perceived nothing OF
all this; but consumed by jealous doubts and
anxious fears, her nights were passed in sleep
lessness and tears, and her days were weary
and ioyless. Her beauty, too, waned with
her health, which rapidly gave way, under
the pressure of sorrow upon her over-burdened
heart. Her home still continued to be the
resort of the gay company Irving Mcdonald
had brought with him from Boston, and she
was proud enough "to die, if need be, and
give no sign" to the careless hearts and Gu
rious eyes around her.
But matters could not exist thus forever.
Soon the denoument came about and set the
wondering world agog. 1t happened one
night, on the event of a masquerade at Nc
Donald Manor.
Contrary to his usual luck, Col. Vaughn
Fessenden lost heavily. He had taken his
seat at the table, expecting to win largely but
his luck turned, and his money vanished like
magic, until, at last, he drew out his check
book and made assignment after assignment,
all of which passed into Irving McDonalds
pocket. But the winner was as naughty and
Indifferent as he had shown himself when his
own thousands had gone "by the board"
In her pink domino, and closely Masked
Gertrude stole out of the crowded drawing
rooms into the conservatory, to quietly enjoy
the fresh cool air. She sank down on q divan
in the shadow of huge laurel bush, all in
bloom, with its white flowers foot in circuit,
shining through the dark, glistening leaves
like stars in the gloom. Suddenly, her ear
caught the sounds of two voices, mingling in
conversation, upon the balcony. One was the
voice of mantle other that of woman.
Listening attentively, Gertrude detected the
accents. The speakers were her husband, lr-
wing Mcdonald, and his beautiful guest, Mrs.
Vaughn Fessenden. They, too, had sought
refuge from the whirl of the ballroom, the
music and glaring lights, ostensibly to enjoy
the cool shade of the leafy balcony.
Gertrudes heart beat loudly, and she in
voluntarily held her breath, as she sat, mo-
tionless and absorbed, straining her ear to
catch every word that passed between them.
"Mr. Mcdonald" Gertrude heard Mrs.
Vaughn Fessenden say, 81 have solicited this
interview that I might crave at your hands
very great favor"
"a favor, madam? You confer an honor
upon me. In what way can serve you?
81 have also resolved to demonstrate bitter
iy against your cruelty"
"Why, cruelty? What mean your"
eyes; your cruelty in seeking to wound me
by running my husband. You have enticed
him to the gaming-table, and he has lost I'M
mense sums p
"Mrs. Vaughn Fessenden, I am not the
keeper of your husbands morals. He is just
as welcome to gamble his money away as any
other man. AS for his losing immense sums,
it is my impression that until tonight he has
been invariably the winner in every game
If you care to inquire among my guests and
his friends, you will find my statement is cor
rect and more-they will tell you that I
usually throw the game into his hands that he
may be successful"
"Mr. Mcdonald, I can fathom your treach-
cry! You long ago resolved to ruin and ut
terly degrade my husband. You have cast
him into an abyss of destruction. Not one
man in million, entering it, comes out with
out wearing dishonored name and being
pauper for the rest of his life. He sits at your
gaming-table, and every day the tarnish upon
his escutcheon grows darker. Were it not for
his sake, should never have crossed your
threshold. came here to watch over him
if I might not save him-as I have more
than once tried to do, by persuading him to
cut your acquaintance. But my presence has
not influenced you to show pity toward him.
The time of his undoing is almost upon him,
and warn you that it will be marked by
him with some act of awful and desperate
rashness !"
"I am delighted listener, Mrs Vaughn
Fessenden. | have not lost word Of your
forcible and eloquent argument" answered
Irving Mcdonald, in voice, the intonations
of which were musical and suave; 81 do not
hold myself amenable for the omissions and
commissions of your honorable and distin-
guished lord, Colonel Vaug ghn Fessenden, OF
the United States army. He is no longer
minor; but has arrived at the age of maturi-
ty, and am not enough older than he to as
sumo the part of mentor toward him"
"But you ere responsible for his errors"
she cried out, reproachfully; you lost your
money to him that you might lure him on to
play, and finally win it back auith interest. l
tell you, sir, you cannot blind my eyes. You
cannot dups me! You, and you alone, have
instilled this poisonous passion into his blood
and into his brain! You auant to ruin him.
1t has been your undying effort for elk long
years !"
"If I d." he answered, with light and
scornful laugh, "you have nobody to blame
but yoursey! Why did you marry him, beau