The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-22
WINNsBORO. s. G.. SEPTEMBER %. 1883.

will drive you home at once, IL you
feel equal to the exertion."
low anxious he seemed to be rid of
Editha rose, her pulses thrilling with
pain.
This was the man to whom her
hearts best love had suffered to 20 out
"a poor wretch whose life held some
shameful or dangerous secret. All,
how very foolish indeed she had been.
Both were silent during the brief
home-ward.drive, but Adrian, as he set
her down at her own door, suddenly
caught her hand, looking imploringly
into the old half-averted face with his
grave earnest eyes.
You are angry with me, Miss Vane,"
he said hesitatingly. you think per-
haps l have no right to keep a secret
from the world?''
NO." she replied, in naughty tone;
u have no interest whatever in your
affairs"
His face twitched, he took moment
to recover himself.
"Once 1 thought differently" he
breathed. 81 fancied you were learn.
Ing to love me as devotedly as I love
YOU"
Editha could endure it no more.
This declaration was 50 different from
the one she had often pictured to her.
self. Snatching her hand from his
clasp, she entered the house and ran
upstairs to her own loom, almost hys-
teric&l with excitement.
"HoW dare he speak Of love while
that woman remains al inmate Of his
houseF' she exclaimed, beginning to
sob piteously. II almost hate him for
it,"
The next day Editha was sitting
alone in the cosy parlor, when the door
bell rang, and visitor was ushered in
Vivian Long. He came hastily tor
ward, his face wearing so strange an
expression the girl was Instantly struck
ny 1T. ~ have passed such u Wretched
night!" he cried abruptly, before she
could speak "I never closed nv
eyes. 1 feared that the events of yes
terday might cause you to distrust and
dislike me, and that Is more than l
could tamely endure" He seemed to
struggle with himself a moment then
resumed-''I came to extort promise
from you, Editha. Do not refuse, un-
less you would drive me to despair"
"a prOmise?" she asked family.
"What is itp''
"You must have known for a long
time how L was learning to think of
you. L want you to swear to remain
faithful to me for one year, let what
will happen during the meantime. 81
he was looking straight into her eyes.
Editha gave frightened start. She
had never thought of him save as
friend. Some impulse it was impossi-
BILE to control led her to say abruptly
''Tell me who is the woman now STOP
ping at Laurel Cottage. What relation
does she bear to your brother Adrian?
Is she his-his-Her voice broke and
died away.
The scowl that had wrinkled Vivian's
brow when she first began to speak,
faded quickly, and his whole face
frightened.
"Whatp" he cried eagerly.
'Adrian's wife?" the words. spoken
with tremendous effort, were scarcely
audible.
She stood with ciasped hands, her
pulses beating high.
Yes, the woman is my brothers.
wife," Vivian replied in husky voice.
"You know so much already 1 shall
keep nothing back"
'Three years ago he was deluded
into marrying her, and before the
honeymoon had waned she was raw
ing maniac. Insanity had been in the
family from which she sprang for seve-
raj generations. Adrian knew nothing
of this until it was too late. The poor
thing has been more rational since we
brought her to Laurel Cottage, one
year ago. Pride alone led us to con-
ceal her existence from our friends.
We intended no wrong by it.n
Wiping the cold drops Of moisture
from his.forehead, he said imploringly
-"Now for the promise I came to ex-
tort; it will be great comfort to me,
Editha. Surely you cannot refuse"
She hesitated. Her cheeks burned
like fire. Why should she not consent,
and thus show Adrian how she despised
his treachery in daring to speak OF love
to her while he had wife living. Give
me twenty-four hours for reflection, -
she said finally, after bitter struggle.
Vivian begged with STANCE vene-
mence for All immediate promise, but
as she remained firm, at last he went
reluctantly away.
Editha spent wretched night. It
seemed dreadful that all her bright
hopes should be blighted and her life
broken before the happy years Of girl
hood had passed. The next morning
she was wandering listlessly about the
grounds when the garden gate changed,
and a woman came hurriedly towards
her--a pallid young thing, with sunken
eyes and hollow cheeks who must once
have been very beautiful
''Are you Miss Vane2" she asked,
almost in a whisper, pausing with
clasped hands. Editha recognized the
voice instantly. 1t was that OF the
strange woman at Laurel Cottage.
81 wish to make a request" tho in
truder went on hurriediy, looking at
Editha as though the latter held her
life in her keeping. 81 am poor un-
fortunate soul who has known nothing
save trouble. Some folks say am not
altogetl,er right here" And she passed
both hands slowly across ner forehead
"You seem to be good and kind. miss.
The doctors tell me have only u few
weeks to live, and surely you will not
begrudge he what little happiness
can find in that brief time"
what do you meanp" Editha in
CURED, with perplexed air. "Of
course 1 will do anything you wish.