The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-08-18

white hand beckoned, and soon the
stranger was again seated, with lockeo
doors, in Mrs Harding's boudoir.
The next day, by no means to the
surprise OF Els wife, the Colonel announced
that business would take him to Lon
don in the evening. and detain him until
late.
Mira. Harding expressed her sorrow at
his departure. anl begged him to hasten
back. Nevertheless, whom she was alone,
she lighted tho lamp in her boudoir, then
retired to spare bed-chamber just above,
from the window Of which she watched.
An hour and a half passed oventless, then
a mans shadow fitted among the trees.
cit is the Captain thought Mrs.
Harding. "ue has selected his proper
sphere. The Colonel was too noble
for it. Well. each shall have q suitable
! reward
She waited. So did the Captain. Fin
ally, the latter, perhaps, imagining while
Ihs watched outside the bird he would
|detect was enjoying himself within,
lcautio1sly drew near, and peered into the
window asss~aes,z gsssss,szssss.cess5sss a.
/ The temptation was irresistible. Mrs.
Harding . noiselessly opened the lattice,
took up a pitcher Of water standing near
and flung out the contents. 10y
There was a muttored curse; but the
lattice was closed, and the ladies merry
burst Of laughter sinothored in her hand
korchief. ..t
When, ten minutes after, Captain Hew-
EFT looked at the drawing-room window
from distance, as he, unobserved, quilted
the grounds, he behold Mrs. Harding and
his future bride reading and working, &C
cording to their habit.
at must have been confounded house.
maid,' he grorled. "She couldn't have
seen me-"
He passed on towards break IN the
boundary hedge. by which he quilted the
place and reached the main road
Had he been quarter Of an hour later,
he would surely have encountered gen
tlernan using the same means to enter it.
Quickly but cautiously, he made his way
| to a half-docayed elm tree, at the foot Of
which grew ferns anil burdock. Slipping
his hand beneath thes", he drew out pa
per, on which, by tho aid Of wax taper he
! lighted, and road "DEAREsr-At eight on
Friday. The Colonel will be absent. All
is prepared
Pressing the fragment passionately to
his lips, the man placed reply in the
same place, then withdrew.
It was on the morning Of the eventful
j Friday that Colonel Harding entered
Captain Hcwett's apartments ut Rich
mond.
/ George" he exclaimed, "no man was ever
in greater pcrplexity than I. For the last
month I havo been engaged to the Dun
ierbulls to dinner to-day. This morning
! Constance declares - looking well and
hearty--horsclf too i'll to attend, but urges
ME to GO"
"I'll tell you what, Colonel If you re-
fuse, you mny only raise her suspicious.
i You had better, therefore. so and III
watch for you. Perhaps this time some
thing may be discovered"
ri was thinking" began the Colonel,
doubtfully. "whether it would not be
best to ask Constance right down the
turth ?''
! absurd If woman will stoop to de-
ceive husband, she will not hesitate at a
\ falsehood.'
"That is true. Well, George, let it be
!, rs you say
The Colonel went to the dinner, and the
gentlemen had long been left to their wine,
when footman whispered to tho officer he
was wanted. Making an excuse, he
Withdrew, and found the Captain in the
hall.
"Come home," said the latter ri must
speak to you at once"
The Colonel, growing pale, followed him
into the road.
What is it?'
"Bear it like a man Colonel" returned
the other. "Your wife is unworthy your
affection; she has fed with her lover. I
saw them. They are now in the train 60
ing to London.
"Oh, Constance-Constance!" !" he groan-
ed, why have you brought this disgrace
upon mcF'
And he grasped the hedge, to savo him
self from falling. Recovering himself. his
mood changed
"Georse!" he exclaimed, fercely. "Come
we will follow them. The william shall
answer for the wrong he has done me; but
ell me all about it,
The Captain stated cab had passed
him on the rond to the villa. In i. he had
recognized a strange gentleman and Mrs.
Harding. He pursued, but only reached
the railway station in time to see them
leap into frst-class carriage as the train
moved of.
/ The true statement was this: Captain
Hewett had seen cab waiting near the
villa. Concealing himself. he had per-
oeivsd gentleman. escortng Lady thick
! ly yelled and cloaked, como through the
break in the hedge, hurriedly Cross the in
tervening field, enter the cab, and drive off,
after giving the direction, 'The railway
station-for London"
Had he put his hand out he could have
stayed them. But that waa not his plan.
Let her 60 beyond rocall and forgiveness,
that was what he thou hit
Hurryins strait to his dressing'room,
! the Colonel. secured his pistols.