The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-07-07

sne heared the summons.
"Go, you thirethome, thtupid grill"
cried Nina Cayerly, laughing and gently
pushing her toward the door al dare thay
he wanth TO- know if we are ready. Tell
him he mutht give nth fve-and fifty thee.
ondth more Bridegroomthn nre alwayt th i'm.
patient"
As she could not very we'll excuse her.
self, .Milicent went. MIR. Derwent, dressed
for his wedding, but looking pale and un-
easy, had just paid and dismissed the
man who had been employed to repair his
desk.
he pointed to.it sternly, with an air Of
displeasureA
"See-this has but just been, brought
home. You neglected, it appears, to give
my message. 4 Shall have to pack this up
! a.ter we come from Church. IL M.sas
assssy ''sss ssssssi ssssS 3 sssss! D." ;:
Glen yoncan 60 ut opcc to- Ix dad dshis
mol" said Mil]icent, boldly. foy. she was
now wrought up to pitch u6f excitement
that robbed her Of all feat FOR the con.
sequences to'herself. let them b what they
might. = .-. T.-ysss:: -,
He frowned at her angrily, but wieanut
taking in the meaning of her defiaut reply.
'This is not o time for foolish jestin..
Go to Miss Derwent as soon as we have left
for church. This essence will arouse her
if abe is still sleeping. Break the tidings
to her gontly, if she asks where we are gone;
and, If possible, prevail upon her to go to
town and await us there. L can make her
indisposition an excuse for her doing this.
Should she offer any objections, give her
this note,. and impress upon her the pro-
priety of obeying my wishes. You see, nv
good girl he added, Miss Derwents heoG
is often confused after these attacks. land
she makes speeches which lead her friends
to doubt her sanity. It is to avoid this
that wish her to leave the house before
we return to it. If you contrive to arrange
this you shall not find me unyrateeul.'''
"I will be sure to do the hest I can for
Miss Derwent," was Millicent's reply.
lie did not detect the evasion it contained,
but with plclsed "Thank you-thaak
you !" he left her and went to. meet his
bride.
The assumed carmness Of Violet was con-
tradictcd by her mournful looks; and the
light-hearted girls who surrounded her
began to be infected by them. The sport
i've sallies in which they had been indulg-
ing were hushcd, and they were seen to
look wonderingly and significantly at each
other. They had seen brides shed tears
at the alter, and heard their sorrow at leav-
ing the home and companions of their girl
hood. But Violet had no home, no parents,
to regret; while her grief was strangely
subdued and fearless, and to their whisper
ed inquiries she made no replies. They
were almost as grave and mute as the pale
girl they surrounded, when Mr.. Derwent,
impatient of any further delay, came to
lead his betrothed to the drawing-room.
There, half dozen of his friends had
assembled, and. the buzz of conversation
Infused little more ivciness, into the
party.
The carriages which were'to convey them
to- the ehurch were at the door,. and MI.
Derwent proposed their starting at once.
Who was TO give the bride away? was
the question that now presented itself.
Mr.. Derwent turned to the, father Of
Violet's friend, Nina. "Mr. Caverly, will
you oblige me9 Thanks! Will you give
your arm to Miss Lindsly?"
Before this gentleman could comply, Sir
John .Lefroye, who had entered the room
unperceived, stepped between him aud the
shrinking Violet.
Mr Derwentwasunplea surprised at
this sudden appearance, bnt he quickly re-
covered himseE, and with his; bllndsst smile.
welcomed his unexpected guest. "Ihis is,
q pleasure we scarcely counted on My
dear Violet, I must leave it to you to
thank Sir John for the honor he has
done u.s."
The Baronot did not reply, but there was
something in his look that made Mr.. Der
went turn ghastly pale and then spring.
forward to- clasp Violet in his orns..
But ere he could do this, Vernon aubrey
rushed between them, cxcl.iming, "Pollute
her not with your touch! Marderer Of
Eobcrt Walters, stand back "