The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-07-31
A Mad MARRIAGE:
Or
The Heiress of Law
renee Park.
/ STORY OF ABSORBING INTEREST.
By MRS. e. b. COLLINS.
Or
CHAPTER II.
BEHIND THE SCENES.

through the night and the storm, Ga
brielle dew down the long, wind-swept
rain-drenched walk, which led from
the mansion to the high arched iroI
gates beyond. Once there she halted
and glanced back toward the house
standing white and grand amid the tai
trees like marble enchanted palace
An awful look rested upon her stern
white face, as she lifted her clencheG
hand and shook it savagely.
@Curse you'll" she painted, hoarsely.
under her breath; "the curse of 6
broken heart, q ruined life, lost soul
rest upon that house and all within it =
The iron gate opened swiftly. She
passed through; it closed behind bel
with q loud clang, and all was still.
Lawrence Park was situated in the
suburbs of great city. She turned
her face in the direction of its twink.
ling lights, and plunged on through the
gloom.
The thunder and lightning had lain
down to rest. The rain was coming
down in a slow, musical drip, drip,
upon the wet pavements.
She drew her drenched garments
about her and hurried on. All at once
q dark form emerged from the gloomy
shadows, and ere she could cry out a
hand was laid upon her own.
"Gabrielle!" cried low voice in
guarded tones; she fell back, trem-
bling violently.
@Don't you know me?" cried the
mans voice little contemptuously
"you are not usually such coward,
Gabrielle st. Cyr!"
She drew long breath of relief.
Mark she :altered; "is it you?
What is the matter?"
He bent his head; o handsome
brigandish fellow, and spoke in low,
hurried tone:
"You have been thereto Lawrence
Park?" be demanded sharply. "No-
no, you cannot deny it. Is he there
the old man? And did you see him
alone?"
His dark eyes glittered through the
gloom, and his voice shook perceptibly.
eyes, I saw him!" she returned slow
ly. "Mark Alleyne, listen to me. You
love Adele?"
His broad chest rose and fell with
eager excitement, aud his voice was
scarcely audible as he made answe,
fiercely:
CAS- I do my own soul! But, she-l
am afraid it is too late, Gabrielle!"
She moved impatiently.
"Let me manage all that" she said
swiftly.
"Come to me tomorrow, Mark, at
my own home; I will be alone, while
Adele is at the theater; I have some
thing to say to you--son.ething of i'm.
portance-a matter of life and death!
Will you Gomez"
II will be there. And now, good
night!"
He turned swiftly and left her alone.
She knew not which way he went; but
he had taken the path straight to Law
renee Park.
Left alone, she hurried onward. She
was strangely shaken; her face pale as
death, her eyes full of terror.
She hurried onward where the city
streets lay spread out like the tracing
upon map; she turned a corner, and
paused before great, brilliantly illu-
minated building, which bore an inn
mense sign-"Odeon Theater."
"Just in time!" she muttcred, casting
Q wild glance about.
She turned in at IN open doorway
down long, narrow entry; up pair
of bare, dirty stairs, and paused to
rap lightly upon door. 1t opened at
once, and she darted over the thresh-
old.
It was a dressing-room attached to
the theater.
In the center of the dingy apartment
stood dazzling vision in short white
tulle skirts, spangled with gllttering fire
flies; cluster of fre-fies tangled in
the meshes of her long, dark hair, which
waved over her shoulders, a simmer
ing, dusky veil.
A beautiful face, in spite of the stage
"make-up."
Large, dark eyes; straight, delicate
features; a face to attract and fascinate
face full of hidden power.
Adele st. Cyr, as she was called, was
only da1aSeuSe, but she was pretty as
picture; saucy-piQuante.
She whirled about upon the toe OF
ejaculation of surprise.
Mammal Where have you been
And what is the matter? Come in,
quick! Oh, heaven help us! What is
wrong?'
She fell back with cry Of horror.
For her eyes had fallen upon her moth
er's ungloved hand, upon which was a
great, hideous stain, the stain of fresh
crimson blood.
Pale and trembling, the girl stood
gazing upon it, but Gabrielle made no
attempt at explanation; she sank into
8 seat, with bowed head. and averted
eyes.
Adele stood watching her, ner eyes
glittering like steel; in their depths q
look not good to see.
"Tell me oil |" she painted. excitedly.
"You have seen him, at last; this man
who is" (she drew her breath hard, as
though in pain) "my father; yet who
does not acknowledge his own child.
He lives in a palace home. with every
luxury that heart can wish; respected,
honored; while you, his lawful wife,
are little better than beggar! And I,
his child, dance upon the stage every
night for the pittance that keeps the
wolf from our doorl
"There is no good in world where
such foul wrongs exist, there is no