The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-06-23
:"aMr. Derwent,' cried Aubrey, passion
tely, "you are artfully interfering to pre-

| really lcC me CONnuCG you luCO Une mousse.
She submitted directly, but turned
towards Vernon Aubrey, as he led her
away. 81 am sorry, very sorry; but Mr..
Derwent is right, and you are unkind to
urge me- to hear what can only revive
land, Mr.. Aubrey, and try in some foreign
country to forget me, and atone for the sin
into which my folly as much rs your
own angry feelings hastened you"
As Violet sobbed out these words, she let
her head droop on Mr.. Derwent's shoulder,
and lifting her light form in his arms, he
bore her indoors, and tenderly laid her on
the sofa in her own dressing-room. Nor
did he leave her until the attentions OF
Millicent Vyner had subdued the hysteri-
cal attack which seized her. 10 see her
suffering was torture to this grave, middle
aged man, for he loved her with an inten-
sity of affection approaching idolatry. His
marriage with the mother Of Sybil had
| been purely one of interest, and it had
remained for Violet Lindsly to awaken in
his heart the tender passion which had
hitherto lain dormant.
At his urgent request, she permitted
him to make her excuses to their guests,
and went to bed. But sleep was not easily
wooed that night. She reproached herself
for having consulted propriety, instead of
granting at once the entreaty of Vernon
Aubrey, and hearing the confession he was
80 anxious to make. Although nothing
could do away with the hideous fact of his
guilt, yet if it would have soothed peni.
tent to tell her-the unfortunate cause of
all-how deeply he mourned his crime
surely she should have listened, instead of
selfshly refusing to hear him
She expressed herself thus to Mr.. Der
went in the morning, when he came to in
quire how she had slept.
"My dear Violet" he answered, "depend
upon it you have quite mistaken the pur.
port of Mr.. Aubrey's proposed revelations.
You are assuming that he acknowledges
himself to be the murderer of Robert Wal
ters, which he has not done, and never will
do. No proofs Of such crime have been
brought against him and it is only by
few that suspicious of the truth are enter
tanned. He has legally, if not morally,
right to be regarded as an innocent man,
and feel convinced that you would not
have heard him make any acknowledge
ment to the contrary if you had stayed to
hear him last night"
"But he said that the tale he had to tell
hae was connected with the terrible event
that occurred within these walls; these i'll
omened walls, he called them !" she said,
with shudder.
MIR. Dcrwent smiled, and then sighed.
"You dear, innocent child, can you not see
that others have not been blind to the at
lection cherish for you. Nay. do not
blush nor withdraw your hand. I would
not have vexcd you by adverting to it if it
were not necessary. At the time of Mr..
Walters death you kept your room, and /,
in my overwhelming anxiety, betrayed to
Mr.. Aubrey the feelings had hitherto
concealed from every one. Mr.. Aubrey,
impatient at your lingering here when you
should be under the roof of his schemlng
kinsman, would like to whisper to you that
your foolish guardian has actually dared to
love you, and that his daughter connives at
his suit. He thinks the tale would so shock
and disgust you, that you would fly Der
went Lodge directly"
ri will not see him. said Violet, reso-
lutely. "My maid shall tell him, if he
calls, that I decline to grant the interview
he requests am harrassed and unhappy
enough, and it would make me still more
so if I were obliged to hear unjust charges
brought against the only friends have IN
the world"
'My DEAR" said Mr.. Dcrwent, arresting
the hand she extended to the bell, eff
Mr.. Aubrey is refused entrance, it will be
reported that it was by my orders. Re-
member that he accused Inc of an artful
endea7or to prevent his seeing you"
"But Millicent shall tell him that it is
at my command she denies him admission.
Do you hear, Millicent? If ever Mr.. Yer
non Aubrey calls, and asks for me, your
answer is to be that I am engaged"
However, Aubrey did not make his ap-
pearance at Derwent Lodge that day.
Soon after luncheon, as Violet was about
to follow the example of the silent, unso-
ciable Sybil, and retire to her own apart
ments, O carriage drove up to the door.
It is he p she exclaimed, with flushing
cheek and startled eye. "Oh, Mr.. Derwent,
my heart misgiyes me Have done right
in denying myself? p
"It is too late to rescind the order" he
said, somewhat sharply, for it CALLED him
to find that she wavered between her con-
yiction of Aubrey's unworthiness and her
affection for him.
Violet stood listening. "He has not
gone? Perhaps he refuses to leave without
Seeing me Hark Milicent is coming
with message"
As soon as the girl entered the room, she
snatched from her hand a card she was
holding. "It is not Mr.. Aubrey at all 1t
is Sir John Lefroye-must see him ?"
"Certainly, my love- Let him be shown
ND. I dare saw he comes to exert his au-
thority over his refractory ward and will
carry YOU away with him." Mr.. Derwent's
face became ghastly pale, and his lips quiv-
cred OF the thought. "Ah, Violet" he
added, mournfully, che might have spared
you to us for one more short week-the
last happy week can ever know!'
He walked to window, and stood there,
until Miss Lindsly, almost as much agitat-
ed as himself, had welcomed her visitor.
Then, with his usual courtesy, Mr.. Der
went came forward, and greeted him too,
bidding servant tell Sybil that her pre-
sence was requested in the drawing room.
eff Miss Derwent is engaged, pray don't
disturb her." said the Raronet, frigidly.
"My visit is solely to my ward
Violet bit her lip, and looked annoyed at
his rudeness; but Mr.. Derwent blandly an
swered, "Nay, should be sorry for Sybil
to lose this chance of seeing an old friend
of her mother She will not have another
opportunity of bidding you FAREWELL
ri was not aware that Miss Derwent is
thinking of quitting home,' Sir John OBJ
served.
"My daughter and leave England at the
close of next week" Mr.. Derwent replied,
in saddened tones.
Sir John rnbent little when he heard
this. A hint that his co-trustee was tam
perine with the affections Of their pretty
ward had brought him to Norwood in hot
haste, to rescue her from her danger. But
Mr.. Derwent's announcement partially dis
armed his wrath If that gentleman had
really been seeking to win Violet's hand, it
must have been unsuccessfully, or he would
not speak so positively of leaving his native
country.
"The pleasantest time Of the year for
travelling" the Baronet commented.
(which way are you goingp"
"I scarcely know. I shall leave that to
loJ 1or u,ich