The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-05-19

within hearing except Vernon Aubrey, who,
unable to conquer his modification at
Violet coldness, had been istlessly turning
over some photographs, until Walters raised
tones attracted his attention. -,
Relieved byMalcom' 8 absence, Sybl said
quietly, though With ill-concealed scorn Of
her rude assailant, Whatever errors of,
Judgement you and may have made, Mr..
Walters we shall certainly make no more
from tllfSsmoment. You will never have
cause to fearmy malpractices, neither shall
I ever again mistake Blu for a gentlemanI!'
Infuriated by this retort, he exclaimed,
"Neither shah you come betweenfne and nv,
wishes. Although the time has been that r.
thought you charming, am no longer to Be
shared by heartless iilt, however beautiful
she may be" -
Sybil struggled to retain her conposure.
but without effect. Already fatig1ed sand
depressed, the suddenhess and violence Of
Walters attack, and The conviction that he
was repeating the words of his cousin, over
s came her. With clenched hands, and eyes
that flashed fire, She commanded him to
leave her, then burst into passionate food.
, Of tears. y -
Vernon Aubrey was by her.side in q mo-
.ment. -..
Miss Derwent, you are Ill |! Mr.. Walters
you are forgetting yourself when you speak
30 loudly and rudely to Lady,"
"What business is it to you, cdr r asked
the excited man, fercely. '.Am I to an
swer for my conduct to every one who tries
to come between Violet Lindsly and II" =
Vernon bit his lip. "Leave Miss Lindsly's
name alone, if you please, or / shall take an
old friends privilege, and insist that you
speak Of her with more respect"
You? retorted Walters, all the West
Indian blood inherited from his mother
surging into his face. "You! a begsarly
pretender to Violet's hand-or rather to her
fortune" ,.... ~
Before he could say more, Vcrnon7s hand
was upon his throat; and Violet herself
coming in search Of Sybil-saw what was
passing, and, with startled exclamation,
bounded towards them"
Recalled to himself by her appearance,
Vernon Aubrey, his lips still white with
passion, flung his aggressor from him, and
quilted the apartment Foaming with
wrath, Walters would have followed, but
the trembling Violet caught his arm and
clung to it. -.
"Where are you going? What has hap.
pened2 Oh, Mr. Walters, you are frighten-
ing me dreadfullyP Pray-pray be calm r..
As he met her inquiring glances, the,
angry man began to feel ashamed of his
violence. "I have been annoyed-insulted,
Miss Lindsly. think had better go away"
Greatly alarmed lest he meant to proceed
in search OF Vernon Aubrey, and renew
their quarrel, she hurried y combated thia
"Pray stay, Mr.. Walters. We should miss
you so much Do you know, l meant to
keep several dances for you, and have BEEN
wondering why you did not come to claim
them !"
Promise to valse with me, and I will
stay he exclaimed, seizing the chance OF
triumphing over the now hated Sybil.
Violet detested waltzing, because it made
her giddy; but to keep peace, she was really
to promise anything, and he el her exu!t.
ingly to the hrll-room. y;
Neither of them h,l roti.e,l wnen Sybi
Derwent sliGcI;t ;twl;'. No '',.= saw her again
till her father met her cuniirt., from her own
dressing-roonk IL. ,l;r~ $50. h.r hurriedly.
"Sybil, thought you were WAlters' at
traction hcre!' =,
Indeed, sir" she said coo1ly.
"Instead Of which he has just limited his
intentions Of proposing for Violet. Does
she love him? Tell Inc truly. Does she
love him ?" -.-.. .....
al don't know, sir" was the curt reply.
Mr.. Derwent looked at her intently, as If
he thought she hid something from him.
But her face was inscrutable, and repressing
an inclination to question her more closely,
he returned to the ballroom, which now
presented gay and brilliant scene. .F
To Violet, however, it brought no enjoy
ment. This festal-night, to which she had
looked forward with so much pleasurable
anticipation, now seemed as if it would
never end. e.,
The lowering looks of Vernon Aubrey,
who kept aloof, yet watched her and Walters
continually, made her uneasy and doubtful
Ct his pacific intentions; while Waltera'
'assiduities were so poirt l, that they aroused
every ones attention, and not only confused
but distressed her. He had imbibed cham
pagne till he was more restless and excitable
than ever; and convinced that the heart Of
the pretty heiress was his own, he attributed
her increasing reserve and constrained man.
ner to modest consciousness Of his inten.
tions. "r.
While he was waiting for the conclusion
Of quadrille, that he might again claim
her, and take her down to supper, a. masque,
attired in gray domino, touched his
shoulder,
"Don't turn round" whispered q voice
in his ear-"don't attempt to penetrate my
disguise, but be satisfied that it is friend
who now accosts you
':Say on, friend" laughed the young man,
"and be speedy; for this dance is nearly
ended, and cannot listen long, however
sweetyo whispers may be-" -,..0.
yet, hear me-" said the masque, with an
earnestness which surprised him,-hear ME,
and heed my warning. "Leave this house
as quickly as you can. Let nothing induce
you to remain in it. Let nothing induce you
to sleep within its walls. Return to town,
as you value your life, for it is endangered|
For moment, Walters was staggered by
these extraordinary words then recovering
himself, he exclaimed, "Pshaw ridiculous!
Who are you that utter such folly 2"
"I would to heaven it were but folly
murmured the masque. "Be warned while
there is time. There is one upon your track.
whom you have injured, and ''h0 nererr for
gives" - -
"Who ?-what? Explain yourself r ex.
claimed Walters, turning sharply round.
and grasping al the robe Of his counsellor.
But, in moment, the masque had evaded
him, and fed. Uttering an angry execration,
he followed. The figure, however, was al !,
ready lost in the crowd pressing towards
the supper-room; and =, might almost have
fancied himself the Victim Of some foolish
Jest, but for the solemn earnestness with
which those warning words were spoken:
"Return to tocn, as you ralus your life. for It
is endangered"
.'....... 80
To be Continued.
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