The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-05-26
Malcolm, the AvoHger;
Or,
TIE MYSTERIOUS MURDER,
BY HARRISON AINSWORTH.
AUTHOR OF "TowER UILL," "BAFFLED AT
LAST "a TALE OF MrsTERY,"
ETC, ETC
CHAPTER III.
BRAy WING THE DAN GEE.

Z v NG TIL D AN GEE.
As Walters stood muttering and execrat-
ing the conduct of his unknown adviser,
Charles Malcolm came up, and forcibly
drew him aside.
"My dear Rob, do you know that every
one is staring at you? What on earth is
the matter? Had't you better come away%
"Come away!" Why do you say that
Why should 1 leave here before any one
else?" his consin sharply and suspiciously
questioned.
Because You are hot and excited enough
to warrant my proposing this as the most
prudent course you can pursue. Or, If you
will stay" he hastily added, as he saw that
the suggestion was distasteful-"f you will
stay, don't go in to supper. Let US have
quiet stroll together in the gardens till it is
over. Seriously, Walters, mine hosts good
wine has mounted into your head, and will
bctray you into follies you will regret, if
you swallow any more Of it. For Miss
Lindsly's sake take care Of yourself
Walters stamped his foot impatienly on
the floor.
cam n child, that every one torments
me with their impertinent advice2 Was
the gray domino melted by you to annoy
me?"
Charles Malcolm's look of astonishment
was sufficient proof that he was innocent OF
such connivancc; but, with equal vehem-
ence, Walters added, "I tell you that will
not go back to town to-night--no, nor TO-
morrow night. unless 1 please. Neither
will be dictated to by you Us to what I
shall, or shall not do. And as to the danger
predicted, would brave it, even if I had
convincing proofs of its reality. 1t is q
trick-a petty trick to get rid of me, to drive
me hence; but it has failcd-it has failed,
sir, for here will remain, come what may"
He was fast working himself into a
furious passion, and Malcolm, with shrug
of his shoulders, released his arm.
"Go your own hcldstrong way, Rob.
WAS we'll set to work to attempt to influence
you might have known, by this time, that
was the s'lrest way to make you doubly
self-willed!'
So saying, he crossed the room, and join
ell Vernon Aubrey, who, however, proved
such u silent and unsociable companion,
that he was soon thrown upon his own re-
sources. Meanwhile, Walters elbowed his
way into the supper-room. He was very
much annoyed to find that Violet had been
escorted ththrr by some one else; and re-
fusing the scat that was offered to him, he
took up his station behind her chair. There
he persisted in remaining; and set all the
rules of good breeding at defiance BY the
oyerLearinr manner in which he silenced
every one who attempted to address her.
Aware that he was rendering her quite con-
spicious by his conduct, Violet pleaded
violent headache, and escaped to her own
room the first time her persevering lovers
attention was momentarily diverted.
Charles Malcolm rejoiced heartily when
the guests began to drop off for his cousins
irascibility, after Violets disappearance,
increased to such pitch, that he was in
continual dread of an esclandre. He could see
that many of the younger men were burning
to ayenge the insolcnce with which Walters
was treating them, and that Mr.. Derwent's
soothing interposition was required more
than once to preserve an outward show OF
good feeling.
Sybil-though there was strange light
in her eye and her paleness was excessive
had contrived to play her part in the en-
tcrtainment without hinclling. Too proud to
permit an yone to suspect how deeply Walters
insults had CALLED her, she wore u smile for
all; and was the inlefatigable and courteous
hostess till the last carriage rolled away,
and there was no one left ut Derwent
Lodge, except the few who had accepted her
fathers hospitality for the night. Amongst
those were the cousins, and the still Silent
and dissatisfied Vernon Aubrey.
Without openly appearing to DO so, She
had contrived 10 avoid Charles Malcolhi
throughout th. c"cnils; and o stiff bow
was his sole acknowledgment Of the cold
good night she uttered when she was about
to retire to rest
The eyes of Walters met hers rs she
slowly moved past the couch on which ne
had thrown himself Was there fear, hate
or defiance In the incxllicable look she bant
upon him? He imagined that it was the
latter; and in the pcttiness of his conceit
he exulted at the thought of the annoyance
he believed that he had clused her, by his
open avowal that he SAW through her
schemes to entrap him, and despised them.
pheasant dreams attend your slumbers,
Miss Dorwcnt," he cried mockingly. And
yours also mine host Shall you be able TO
spare he an hour OF your valuable time IN
the course Of the morning? p
This was meant for SYPHILIS cnr, and that
it reached it, was evident by her start, and
the way she fingered to hear her fathers
answer. It was given with courteous readl-
ness. -, :,
"Tuo, if YOU should continue to wish it,
when the morning comes"
The doubt this speech implied was und:r:
stood and pettishly commented upon. "Of
course I shall continue to wish it, MIR. Der
went. Do you think | can change my pur-
poses with every hour? Or has my clever
cousin been inoculating you with his dis
belief in my stability, as he phrases it. You
shall find, sir, that / uul not So tickle as
am supposed to be-" he added, irritably.
"And iii wager you anything you like that
I shall be first at our appointment. In
your study, did you SHY that you would see
me?'
Mr.. Derwcnt bowed assentingly. "lt
shall be in my study, if you like; ami tho
time had better be directly after breakfast.
Sybil stayed to hear no more, and the
rest Of the party soon separated; Charles
Malcolm following his cousin to the door OF
his room, with the friendly intention OF
demonstrating with him on the haste OF his
proceedings with regard to Violet Lindsly.
But Walters guessed this, and, resolving
to thwart him, brusquely observed, (" If you
have anything to say to me, Charlie, you
may Just keep it until I have had some
sleep, for shan t listen to you now" And
passing into his chamber, he closed the door
in Malcolm's face, who retired to his own
muttering anathemas at the young mans
folly.
DESPITE his assertion that he should be
first at the appointment he had made with
MIR. Derwent, every one else had assembled
at a late breakfast, without Walters making
his appearance. No one, however, chose to
comment upon his absence in the presence
of his relative, until Malcolm himself re-
marked that it was unusual for his cousin
to oversleep himsclf-hs mercurlal and
restless temperament generally bringing
him out of bed before any one else. -,
1--WE will not disturb his sluinbers.' SAID
Mr. Derwent, pleasantly. "After the ex-
traordinary excitement he seemed 10 mool
under last night, some additional rePose
will do him no harm" >,
"But Mr.. Walters it'll tho amuthing'
1;,ooJ M;,no youur llQy-trlcnQ