The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-09-18
CHAPTER XVII.

THE THREE DAYS OF GRACE ARE UP.
Mammal"
Adele st. Cyr's voice was full of ex-
citement.
Gabrielle glanced up in surprise.
"My dear, what is the matter? You
look pale and frightened! Adele, you
are ILL"
They were seated ut the breakfast
table in the CHEEKY breakfast-room of
Lawrence Park.
Gabrielle looked like princess in a
pale-gray morning robe faced with
satin of the same hue.
Adele wore a white cashmere wrap.
per elaborately garnitured with black
velvet. She had the morning paper in
her hands, and was glancing over the
news, while her mother poured the
coffee from its silver urn.
Gabrielle turned with low cry at
sight of her daughters white face and
trembling form, and flew to her side at
once.
"Adele! Adele!" she painted. "Look
up, child, and tell me what is wrong"
Adele's trembling white hand pointed
to paragraph in the newspaper, her
dark eyes lifted to her mothers face
with look of horror.
Mamma! mamma" she walled,
brokenly. "He is dead! dead! dead !
The only man I ever loved or ever will
love! Arthur Wynne is dead! May
the curse of Heaven follow his muir
dererw
"Murderer!" Gabrielle repeated,
painting the word forth bleakly.
ayes; he has been murdered, with
out doubt. Read and see for yourself!" !"
Gabrielle took the paper and read
aloud in o low, clear voice the follow
ing bit of news:
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE
The public will be shocked to learn Of the
mysterious disappearance Of Mr.. Arthur
Wynne, q well-known and wealthy citizen.
He was last seen upon the pier. in company
with stranger, on Tuesday night. since
which date he has not been at his home.
Ind none Of his friends know Of his where
abouts. The entire affair is shrouded in
mystery.
Gabrielle laid the paper down and
turned to her daughter.
MY dear, T see no proof that Mr..
Wynne has been murdered"
"He has been murdered, mamma,
interrupted the girl, arising from her
seat, and pacing nervously up and
down; she is dead. I know it, feel It'll
Dead! And I shall never know hap
piness on earth again!"
She was pale rs marble, wringing
her hands wildly.
Her mother watched her with vague
disquiet. In all her life she had never
before seen Adele 30 affected, although
the girl was of a passionate, impetuous
nature, and when she loved she loved
with all her heart and strength, and
knew no reason.
"Three days missing!" the girl went
on slowly, stopping short, an awful
horror in her velvety eyes. "Three
whole days gone! Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday! Friday"
She came to halt, with shivering
gasp.
To-day was Friday? And to-day
Mark Alleyne was to come for his an
swer; he would demand it, and she
must give it, or ruin would follow
ruin to herself and to her mother; ruin,
disgrace-aye, punishment.
She caught her breath as if in pain.
God help me! What shall do?"
she walled. II must give Mark his
answer to-day-his final irrevocable
answer! It must be in the affirmative;
yet if I am forced to marry that man I
believe I shall kill him, and then take
my own life"
Even as the words passed her lips, a
note was brought to her from Mark.
A few passionate, adoring words, in
which he reminded her that the three
days of grace having now expired, he
would call for his answer.
The whole tone of the communica-
ton was such that she realized that
there could lie but one answer.
She understood what lay before her.
A hard road to travel, and she must
walk it, on to the bitter end.
But she laid up within her heart a
store OF bitter hatred and vengeance,
which she would know how to use when
the time should come.
Later in the day she descended to
the drawing-room, lovely, pensive
creature in black velvet and Mechlin
lace, with diamond solitaires in her
ears. She was discarding mourning.
How could she be expected to mourn
long for father who had been to her