The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-07-07
CHAPTER XVI.
TIE BRIDAL MORNING.


Mr.. Derwent's step rs he entered hIs
dressing room was slow and unsteady; his
eyes, too, were so dim and heavy that 1T
was with some difficulty that he succeeded
in locking the door behind him. Selling
m ever from the stand, he repeatedly
dashed the ice.cold water it contained over
his head and face. This application par.
TALLY reviving him, he sat down to arrange
and number some papers he had brought
into the room in his hand. But this sedcn-
tary employment brought back the drows-
mess against which he was struggling, and
at last he flung them down.
cam 1 going to be ill, that my brain
swims so strangely, and my eyes close de-
spite my utmost efforts 7" he muttered to
himself. "It must be something more.
than mere fatigue that affects me. in this
unusual manner. + could fancy that the
atmosphere Of this room is hazy and heavy.
I will admit some fresher air.
With some difficulty he made his way to
the window, and threw it open. Twice, as
he was doing this, his foot touched Milli-
cent, and her blood curdled in her veins,
for she momentarily expected to be discov-
cred and dragged from her hiding-place.
But Mr. Derwent was too much engrossed
in his own sensations to be as keen of sight
and hearing as in general, and even the
sound of her hurried breathing escaped his
notice.
The pure breeze Of the night dissipated
in some measure the effects Of the opium
Millicent had dropped into the highly-spic.
ed wine he had swallowed; and when he
began to walk briskly to and fro, she was
ODE sed to fear that her schemes would be
entirely frustrated. But, by-and-by he
sank wearily into q chair, and again drew
his papers toward him A few minutes
minutes of intense anxiety to the watcher
and the papers slipped from his fingers;
his head gradually sank on to the cushioned
arm of the fauteuil, and he slept.
1t was some time before Milliccnt dared
to move. But when the regular breathing
of the sleeper had convinced her that there
was very little danger Of his stirring, she
raised herself to her feet. Her position,
however, WAS one that required more com-
age than she felt capable of exerting. The
key was still in the drawer which she had
opened; it must be removed and hidden,
for she dared not attempt to restore it to
the ring from whence it was taken. This
was successfully accompished but then
she had to- pass close to the sleeper in order
to reach the door, and that ,ras lock ed. Mil
licent tremblcd and faltercd, and felt for
while us if she should never be able to sum-
mon sufficient fortitude to make the vcn-
true. II he should awaken, perceive her,
suspect what she carried hidden in her
painting bosom; nh, what might not be her
tate!
At Elst she, nervcd herself to the effort.
The door was safely gained, her hand was
OH the lock, when Mr.. Derwent moved and
nluttcred something in his sleep.
Paralyzed with fear, she stood hclplcssly
staring ut him. His eyes opened, and she
gave herself upfor lost; but their gaze was
vacant. Ere long they closed again; and
gaining power from the excess OF her ter
ror, she succeeded in opening the door, and
reaching her own room in safety.
Having left her lamp i'll Mr.. Dcrwent's
dressing groom, she was now in utter dark
ness; but she dared not go in search of 4
light. The knowledge that she held i'll her
possession q secret which Mr.. Dcrwent
would not scruplc to wrest from her, if he
discovered his loss, filled her witt. tcrrors
for her own safety which were uneonquer-
able. Not satisfied with carefully fastening
her door, she pulled heavy trunk across
it, and then sat down upon this to listen
Tor his dreaded approach
At times her fears rose to such q height
that she was ready to fly from the house,
and put herself under the protection OF
Charles Malcolm OF Sir John Lefroye. But
to do so she must pass the room where size
had left Mr.. Derwcnt, and the mere idea Of
his lcaping out, and scizinS her as she went
Ly, was sufficient 10 deter her from carrying
out such Il project.
When the morning broke, and the SER
wants were heard stirring, Millicent's ex-
ccssive tcrrors began to subsidc, and she
was able to think with tolcrlble composure
on what she had done and what still re-
manned to do.
By-and-by, when she had suloothed her
hair and changed her dress, she ventured
to emerge from her room, and descend to
the lower story of the house. As she stole
trem mblingly past Mr.. Derwcnt's apartments
she heard him moving within. Had he
discovered the loss of that key, which was
lying on the grass amidst the shrubs in
the garden; OF did lie entertain any suspi-
cion Of the part she had been playing
Hurrying by, lost he should emerge from
his room, and put these questions to her,
she went to her lady. But Miss Lindsly,
who, after miserab!e night, had thrown
herself on the bed without undressing,
was now sleeping; and she determined not
to disturb her until it was absolutely nee
cssary.
Putting on her bonnet ard shawl Mini>
cent descended to the offices. Here her
hasgard looks drew upon her the comments
Of the servants; but she answered them
cheerfully; and. on pretcxt of cutting some