The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-07
1.-the form trembling IKE reed which

| 1.-THE form trembling IKE reed which
the tempest bends in its grasp.
| She was seated at the piano in her
own little drawing room. She wore q
rich house dress of warm brown velvet,
with rare lace at the wrists and throat,
fastened there with a single diamond,
which cleaned like drop of dew amid
the meshes of costly lace. Diamond
solitaires were in her ears; no other
ornament did she wear. She was beau
tiful-exceedingly-as she sat before
the instrument, her white fingers stray
ing lightly over the white keys.
70 the man who watched her, with
eyes full of alteration, she was the most
beautiful, bewitching creature upon
whom the sun had ever shone. He had
known her long, and this mad love had
grown and strengthened, until it was
the very handspring of his existence;
There was no mad act that he would
not do, no sin that he would not COM
NIT to win her for his own.
The white fingers swept the keys
with o light touch, and the sweet
strains of Mon Reve foated upon the
sileucc, while he stood watching her
with his soul in his eyes. He had come
to keep his appointment with her moth
er, but she was not there, and it was no
hardship to wait. At last, hurried foot
steps without, the door opened quickly
it was Gabrielle St. Cyr!
Her face. as white as dead woman's,
wore LOOK OF triumph. wnat mad hap
pened? She closed the door behind
her, and turned the key in the lock
then she came to the piano, and laid
her hand upon Adele's arm.
"Adele!" she cried, her voice trem-
bling with strange emotion, Il have
wonderful news! Listen! Adele
Adele-the fortune of which we have
dreamed, and for which we have toiled,
and schemed, and suffered, is ours at
! last If only you have nerve and
courage sufficient to play your part. If
only you will"
II will do-sand dare-anything!" in
terrupted the girl, fiercely, her dark
eyes flashing like fire. @Mamma, there
is nothing in the world that I would
not do for money; ave." her voice
sank to sibilant whisper, "even crime!
Try me and see!"
Mark Alleyne's dark face flushed, and
his eyes shone with an awful light. He
turned aside, lest his face should betray
him.
"Tll remember that, my lady!" he
muttered softly, between his set teeth;
"and when 1 am ready I will remind
her of her own words. What would she
say, wonder, if she knew-if She
knew-all?"
Ee was breathing hard, like one in
pain, as he began to pace up and down
the room, in an absent, preoccupieo
way.
aMark!" 1t was Gabrielle who
spoke. "Stop! You, too, must hear
my story. Strange, wild, incredible
as it will seem to you, it is all true,
nevertheless! I will tell the story, and
when you have heard all, I will unfold
my plot! Then we shall see of what
stuff Adele's nerves are made, and if
she will dare to play O part upon
the worlds stage that would appall
brave heart even to contemplate!
Listen"
She sank into o seat and began to
speak IN q low, eager tone. In hei
dusty gray alpaca dress with her small
head haughtily lifted, and that strange
new light, the light of victory, in hel
ewes, Gabrielle st. Cyr was beautiful
beyond compare. She looked like an
empress issuing commands to her cour
tiers, as she went on speaking swiftly
and softly, that victorious light deep
ening upon her face, a look which
boded i'll to the enemy who might
chance to fall into her merciless hands
The moments passed. A half hour
was spent in the telling before the tale
was told. Then she came to halt,
glancing swiftly into the faces before
her.
"Adele! Mark! We three must
work together. Do you believe that
you two can carry out your share OF
this plot, without failure or finching?
There is one thing more. 1t seems
that there was q paper; that Gilbert
Lawrence wrote full confession of the
truth last night after his daughter had
left him, wrote it for her benefit, that
she might know the evil that he had
done. This confession is also his last
will and testament; it is all in one!
That paper is all we have to fear We
must get it into our hands, and all will
be fair sailing. And then"
Mark Alleyne arose to his feet and
faced the two women before him with
pale face and eyes which held look
not good to see.
"Wait, Gabrielle" he said, decidedly,
athere is something to be settled first
before can pledge myself to help you.
have a question to ask Adele, and it
must be answered without further de-
lay, and US we'll now in your presence.
Have your permission to speak," he
added, his burning eyes upon her face.
She nodded.
"Go on" sho said, slowly, '"you know
that am your friend. Mark"
He smiled family, smile which be-
lied the savage glitter in his dusky
ayes.
~"Adele" he cried, passionately, turn
Ing to her. II want my answer; must
have it now. I have loved you, aye,
worshiped you, for long years! I have
been your humble slave! Must ex-
pect no return? Adele St. Cyr, will
you be my wife? No one has ever
! loved you as I love you! Be mine, and
we will work together for this fortune" 4"
@And if I refuse?" she queried,
lightly.
1T will be the worse for you," he
cried. II have it in my power to make