The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-04-22

rrant,s % lodgings back to the hotel Only
Of one Of these three places could hope to
and tidiugs Of Viola. Repeatedly rs I had
coIled. it was not until nearly II o'clock
th.t found Eustace Grant at Eome-
Rnt by now was in n different mool
Shall I be blamed for saying that this lpug
AMI unexplained absence Of Vioia's in COM
pany, it seemed, with Grant, brought a nor
rible dread which I scarcely darea 10
breathe TO myself? The news that Grant
was at last at home lifted weight from my
heart. He would b, oble to tell~me when
and where he partsl with Viola. No doubt
he hal message fer me which would clear
up ev .rything.
But a!th ugh Mr.. Grant was at home,
tue servant inform ed me that he would see
no one tonight. made no comment on
this denial Isimply forced the door open,
and, putting the frightened servant aslae'
strobe through the hall and entered the
sitting room in which Grant had, on the
night when I first met him, interro3ate1
me. 1t was empty. threw myself lnto
a chair, and waited until some one MADE
my presenc. known to the man whom was
bent upon seeing.
No doubt he heard the noise of my forcole
en- ntrarce. In minute the folding door,
which, as Is often the case In lodgings
divided the sitting room from the be- st-room'
orened, and Eustace Grant appeared AS
be did so I caught glimpse OF the eed-
room from which he emerged An open
portmanteau, apparently half packed, was
lying on the bed, and there were other eVl
dences Of preparation fer journey.
Grant advanced toward me, but he made
no pretense Of greeting me. he neither
offered his hanl nor bado me good evening
rose and faced him
He was pale, almost CHASTITY pale. hls
brows were bent, and slight tw1tch OF tne
nostrl told me he was suffering from some
great, though Suppressed, emotion he
looked ut me haughtily aud angrily; but
whatsoever be had where With to reproach
himself, there was neither fear nor triumph
in his gaz.. looked at him and wondered
but felt certain that he knew oil about
Viola's absence.
Still, as that absonce might even now DO
satisfactorily explainol, resolved that
would not, By evincing premature distrus5
or suspicion, let this man triumph over me
So spoke with forced composure:
".Ir. Grant, I have missed my wife
scme where. Can you give me tidings OF
hera"
81 cannot" he replied coldiy.
"Wbere did you part with herl You left
Mr.. Monks with her in q cab. Where did
You leave her!''
II cannot tell you, Mr.. Lorraine"
do you mean that you arc ignorant OF
her whereabouts?n
You have had my answer"
NY blood boilel. You mean you will
not, dare not tell me, you utter vilain!
cried. Il will know, or will kill you'll"
Tn, table was between us, or should
have sprung at his throat.
II care nothing for your threats, Mr. Lo-
raine," he said, with CALLING contempt.
"Wherever Mrs. Lorraine may be, she is
there Of her own fres choice"
''S:,c is herein this house with ycuT
exclaimed.
''LooS for her-search every cupboard
and Granny. will ring; you shall be con.
ductei over the whole building. Mske it
public property that you are jealous hus,
band looking for faithless wife. No; thai
shall not be done, for her sake. Wherever
she is, she is not here"
He spoke as if expecting me to believe
him Strange to say, I did bslieve him The
thought that bis hous, would be the last
place in which he would hide Viola from
my search, no doubt conduced to this be
lief. But now could no longer doubt ths
horrible truth This man, by some deTelisr
craft, had torn my wife from me-had
taken away the woman who, few hours
ago, pressed Judas kiss on my lips: even
as she was going to mat her lover.
Stay! perhaps he had killed her. Suct
things have been done before now by meu
who fail to win the woman they love. Per
baps be had decoyei her away, and was de-
tanning her against her will Ever now
she might be longing for me to come and
free her.
All these though hts whirled through my
brain. and for moment unnamed me.
sank upon q chair, cold and trembling in
every limb. Grant stood like statue until
Recovered myself
"You villain!' + gasped. ~ will know
I will see her! Tell me where she isr'
He leaned forward. He looked at me
sternly.
.Listenr he said. in q fierce voice. ''Ir
this room I said to you, Take her, and
make her happy Have you done sor'
l laughed wildly. IF being willing te
shed ones blooI for her can make false
woman happy, she should have been happy.
Does she expect to find bliss in life Of
shame with your
His eyes blazed. "'You had BETTE go!H
he said. ''Go at once!"
laughed mockingly. Now that I had
lost all hope; now that my one desire was
vengeance could speak calmly.
II shall stay here" said, until you
leave to join her: I shall follow and bt
with you. Surely bridegroom car claim
the right of bidding his bride Godspecd
Here stay"
For reply Grant rang the bell Leave
the front door and this door wide open,
be said to the servant; "then 60 out of the
way"
He came toward me- started to my
feet, aud struck fair and full at his white,
set face. He parried tho fierce blow, and
in O moment his arms were around me
Although physical strength is an accident
or ut tho most an Inheritance, no man Likes
to confess that another is immeasuraoly his
superior in muscular power. s. it is with