The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-04-09
The Haunted Chamber ,
BY "TuE DUCHESS"
Aslspsr Of 'sfonica," Mona Scuuy,
Phyllis etc, etc.
CHAPTER VII.

ne may WlSn TO say 10 neT, OOId NeuUS
her way to the gallery to keep her ap--
pointment with Arthur. Pacing to and
fro beneath the searching eyes Of the
gaupt cavaliers and naughty danes
that CLEAN down upon him from their
canyases upon the walls, Dynecourt
impatiently awaits her coming"
Ah, you are late!" he exclaims as she
approaches. There is a tone Of author
ity about him that dismays her.
Not very, I think" she responds
ures the best. "Why did you not come
to the library? We all missed you so
much at teal"
NO doubt" he replies sarcastically.
u can well fancy the disappointment
my, absence caused; the blank looks
and regretful speeches that marked my
detection. Pshaw-let you and me at
least be honest to each other. Did
Florence, think you, shed tears because
of my non-coming?"
This mood of his is so strange to her
that, in spite Of the natural false
smoothness that belongs to her, it rem
dsrs her dumb.
Look here" he goes on savagely, Il
have seen enough to-day up in that ac-
cursed room above-that haunted
ehamber-to show me our game is not
yet won"
4Cur game-what game?" asks Dora,
with foolish attempt at mlsconcep-
ton.
He laughs aloud-a wild, unpleasant,
scornful laugh, that makes her cheek
turn pale. It's mirth, she tells herself,
is demoniacal.
aYou would get out of it now, would
you" he says. ut is too late, I tell
you. You have gone some way with
me, you must 60 the rest. want your
help, and you want mine. Will you
draw back now, when the prize is half
won, when a little more labor will place
it within your grasp?"
sBut there must be no violence" she
gasps; mo attempt at"
what is it you would say?" he inter
rupts sternly. Collect yourself; you
surely do not know what you are hint
ing at. Violence! what do you mean
by that2"
II hardly know" she returns, tremb--
ling. 1T was your look, your tone, l
think, that frightened me-"
Put your nerves in your pocket for
the future" he exclaims coarsely: they
are not wanted where I am. Now to
business. You want to marry Sir Ad-
rian, as I understand, whether his de-
sire lies in the same direction or not"
At this plain speaking the dainty
little lady Winces openly.
my own opinion is that his desire
does not run in your direction" con-
tinues Arthur remorseleSsly. 1--WE both
know where his heart would gladly find
its home, where he would seek bride
to place here in this grand old castle,
but I VIII frustrate that hope If die
for it."
he grinds his teeth as he says this,
and looks with fierce defiant eyes at the
long rows of his ancestors that line the
walls.
@She would gladly see her proud fair
face looking down upon me from
amidst this goodly company" he goes
On, apostrophizing the absent Florence.
@But that shall never be. I have sworn
it; unless-l am her husband-unleSs-
I am her husband!"
More slowly, more thoughtfully he
repeats his last phrase, until Dora, af-
fighted by the sudden change that has
6sfgured his face, speaks to him to
distract attention.
@You have brought me here to-" she
ventures timidly.
@Ay, to tell you what is on my mind.
I have said you want to marry Adrian;
Il mean to marry Florence Delmalne.
To-day I disliked certain symptoms I
saw, that led me to believe that my
own Vaccinations have not been 50
successful as I could have wished. Be-
fore going in for stronger measures,
there is one more card that will play.
I have written you note. Here 1t is,
take it"-handiRg her- q Letter folded ID
the cocked-hat fashion.
What am I to do with this" asks
Dora nervously.
Read it. It is addressed to yourself.
You viii see that I have copied Ad-
rian's handwriting as closely as posi-
bic, and have put his initials A. D. at
the end. And yet"-with a diabolical
smile-ait is no forgery either, as a. D.
are my initials also"
Opening the note with trembling fin
. gers, Dora reads aloud as follows:
'sCan you-will you meet me tomorrow at
four o'clock in the hme-walk: have been
cause? You think my slight attentions to
another betokens decrease in my love for
you, but in this, dearest you are mistaken.
am yours heart and soul. For the present
I dare not declare myself, for the reasons
You already know, and for the same reasons
am bound to keep up seeming friendliness:
with some would gladly break with alto
happy too in the thought that our hearts
beat as one.
"Yours forever, A. D."
Dora, having finished reading the let,
ter, glances at him uneasily.
@And-what is the meaning Of this
letter? What is it written for? What
am I to do with it?" she stammerS,
beating the precious missive against
the palm Of her hand, as though in;
loathing of it.
aYou will show it to her. You will
speak Of it as lore-letter written to
you by Adrian. You will consult her
as to whether it be wise or prudent to
accede to his proposal to meet you
alone in the lime-walk. You viii, in.
fact, put out all your powers of decep-
ton, which"-with a sneering smile,
sare great, and so compel her to believe:
the letter is from him to you"
aBut-" falterS Dora.
There shall be no but in the mat
ter. You have entered into this affair
with me, and you shall pursue it to the
end. If you fail me, I shall betray
your share in it-more than your share
and paint you in such colorS as will
shut the doors of society from you.
You understand now, do you?"
@Go on,' says Dora, with colorless
lips.
aAh, have touched the right chord
at last, have II Society, your idol, you
dare not brave! Well, to continue, you
Will also tell her, in your own sweet in
nocent way"-with another sneer that
makes her quiver with fear and rage
ito account for Adrian's decided and
almost loverlike attentions to her in
the room We visited, that you had had
a lovers quarrel with him some time
before, earlier in the day; that, in his
ft of pique, he had sought to be re-
7enged upon you, and soothe his
sighted feelings by feigning a sudden
interest in her. You follow me"