The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-06-30

Take her away with you; take her away;
this is is no place for her. Let her be spar
ed the sight Of our shame and misery when
the hour Of retribution comes; and it ia
drawing near-very near"
This was said in low shudderiug accents,
and with a look Of such hopeless anguish,
that Malcolm never forgot it. Before he
could make any reply, she had hurried
away, her air and gestures giving him
the impression that her brain was disor-
dered.
Not at all desirous of another interview
with Mr.. Derwent, he left the house with
out delay. s.448f3 Il i
Vernon Aubrey, who impatientIy awaited
him at no great distance, OWNED 5howun.
successful he had been. Malcolm had to
resolutely subdue his own feelings, and dee
vote himsslfto the disappointed lover, whom
his description Of Fiolefs evident unhappi-
ness almost maddened. -. -
BE was with difficulty dissuaded from
going to Derwent Lodge, and insisting up
on his right to have an interview with her;
but Malcelm's sound sense eventually pre-
vailed and he consented to return to Lon
don. -
Sir Johns indignation was violently
aroused when he heard of the medltated
nuptials, and scarcely staying to listen to
particulars, he ordered his carriage, and
hurried to Norwood.
It was q useless journey. What Violet
Lindsly would not concede to the man she
really loved, or to the friend of her dead
father, it was not likely that she would
grant to the irate baronet, who talked to,
and scolded her as he would have done .
refractory child.
She heard him patiently, and even
thanked him with grateful warmth for the
trouble he had taken concerning her. But
to all his arguments she gave the same
answer: she had accepted Mr.. Derwent,
and she saw no reason to reseind her prom.
ise to wed him directly.
"Take more time for consideration" he
urged, condesending at last to try the eff.
feet Of argument. "Take more time. II
you must make such mad marriage, and
marry man old enough to be your father,
at least you might wait until you are OF
age. By that time, perhaps, the whim will
have worn itself out, ard you would be
amenable to reason
eff it were only . whim, the advice
would be worth taking" said Violet, smil-
ing sadly. "But am less childish than
you imagine me. My resolution, though
hastily formed, is not to be shaken, shall
become the bride of Mr.. Derwent the day
after tomorrow, and hope you will have
conquered your anger at my obstlnacy
sufficiently to be present at the cere-
mony."
"Not I, indeedp cried Sir John. NJ
will never consent to give such disgrace
full affair the sanction of my presence.
Mr.. Derwent is an artful scheming-"
Violet hastily checked the incorporate
speaker.
Beware what you say Don't let your
wrath transport you too far. Remember
that you are speaking Of my afianced hus-
band"
ri will not be silenced, Miss Lindsly,"
Sir John vociferated. "rf Mr.. Derwent
were here should say the same thing in
his hearing. But he is ashamed to gee me.
He has abused his trust; yes, he has
scandalously abused his trust, and you can
not deny it,
Violet grew very pale.
ri I'm not going to defend Mr.. Derwent
neither will listen to such an accusation.
Pray leave me, Sir John. All that you can
possibly gain by remaining, is the knowl-
edge.tbat you are harrassing and tortur-
ing me beyond my strength"
She looked 30 Ill as she said this, that
he gave up the useless contest; and de-
claring that he should consult the most
eminent lawyers in London, and learn from
them whether he could not prevent the
. marriage, he reluctantly departed.
nh ho6
out of the Baronet's sight, came to Vio-
let as soon as her angry visitor had de-
parted.
"Poor love" he sold, tenderly; chow
the loss Of the heiress exasperates that
avaricious friend of ours. Can you forgive
me for being the cause Of all the persecu-
ton you ore enduring" ?"
But Violet ST. tched her hands away
from his clasp, and said, imploringly, "Oh,
don't talk to me, pray don't; I can bear
no more. Let me 60 to my own room, and
be quiet"
: do 30, my dearest love; you need rest"
he answered. ri have been very blanca
BILE to let these covetous men torment you
50. But after anotner day or two, I shall
be able to protect my darling from all
A shuddering sigh was the only token
she gave of having heard these words, and
Mr@Derwent, having led her to the door
of her own apartment, kissed her forehead,
arffeft her to the care Of the mute, but
watchful Millicent.
Sybil followed Violet to her room and
sea'ing herself beside her said, "there
has been much done durir. these lase-'few
weeks of which have been keptin ignor-
ance, especially of this marriage. Tell -0s
why you have consented to wed my
father? ?"
ri should not have withheld anything
from you," sobbed Violet, in reply to her
!n't remark, "f you had not, by your own
cold demeanor, kept me at bay..
ri was wrong" said Sybil, with proud
humility. ri selfshly brooded over my own
troubles, fancying that you were well, and
happy, and safe. will be more consider
ate for You, my poor love. Now tell me
what ask"
. "G.auAot II must not p' Violet sadly
replied.
sybil regarded her thoughtfully. "You
must not tell n,e?" Does that m can that
you have been forbidden to do so p''
mo" was the quiet reply; "there was
no occasion for Mr.. Derwent to do that.
He knew that I should guard his secret
as carefully as if it were my own"
"rhen there is n secret, and q Disgrace
full one p murmured Sybil, with contract
cd brows, "Alas, that it should be! Has
there not been evil enough wrought here,
without your being made miserable, too?
Tell Inc all, Violet. and then I may know
how to help you"
But Violet was firm in her refusal.
"You are the last person in the world to
whG,p could reveal the circumstance that
has +2nced me to consent to become Mr..
Derwent's wife. Why will you-like every
one else who processes to love me-persist
in questioning me concerning this mar
riage? Don't you see that it would be
kinder to help me to reconcile myself
to it,
Sybil kissed her, and rose from her seat
ri will not torment you any longer. I will
90 and seek from my father these explana-
tions he has taught you to refuse me-"
Mr.. Derwent, however, had gone out