The Globe-republican., 1891-12-10

Sircombe would allow me {. explore.
but the best are sealed mysteries to me.
There are chambers cut In the solid rock
beneath the tower-below the level of
the high tide mark; in old days we
smothered our enemies there"
Il should like to explore them,s said
Edgar, thinking less OF the death traps
than OF the ruby lips that spoke of
them.
Mr.. Sircombe abruptly stepped through
the window beside him, and leaned over
the broad stone balustrade. gazing 1T
the glittering waves which Tapped
against the base of the cliff below.
The conversation proceeded between
the youthful pair, Lady Dunraven lean
Ing back In her carved chair, and listen
Ing or seeming to listen less than she
looked at each animated face. Some
times she reused herself to take part:
and then Edgar, with mournful regret,
could trace the signs Of q once brilliant
and accomplished mind, now smolder-
ing down to dull Indifference. He had
heard much of this unhappy lady's spirit
and fascination in the days when she
reigned as queen of the social circle in
the 1nchcape Fosse; like SO many of her
cOuntrywOmen, she had created Juror
by her intellectual graceS as much as
by her refined and spirituel!e type of
beauty. No women in the world are
more fervently admired than American
women Of culture when they come to
shine in English circles. They WED
the peculiar power of soul, and their
delicacy and vivacity are rare charms in
stately England.
Edgar ives quickly adding links to the
chain which bound him to Dunraven
Tower Love attracted him, but more
generous sentiment subjugated him
this wronged lady needed help.
That strange glance of hers which
seemed to follow him like low murmur
of pain, how could he check it? She
asked no help, she only pinned and suf-
fered for lack of it.
To this chain, fastened upon him by
his own feeling alone, he could oppose
no considerations of selfish caution.
Sitting there between the girl he now
boldly acknowledged to himself that he
adored, and the woman who had reused
all that was most generous in his nature,
he said to himself:
II must. l will do my best to bring
back her happiness"
CHANGING upward with the fire of that
inspiring resolve in his eyes, he met the
gaze of Mr.. Sircombe fastened upon him.
Caught unawares, Sircombe had let his
very soul look out through those win
dows, his eyes, and Edgar started in
pure amazenent. 1t was like glimpse
through the windows of hell.
But even as he stared the expression
changed to a natural one, and Mr. Sir
combe sauntered along the balcony out
of sight ooking into the garden when
he came to the corner Of the tower, he
saw old Kenmore training up his young
lady's roses upon their trellis.
Mr.. Sircombe entered the building by
a summer portal upon the balcony, and
very soon sauntered into the garden and
came to a halt by Kenmore. He had
something in his mind to say to that
person.
He said it by degrees
Edgar looked about Lady Dunraven's
usual living room with sympathetic in
terest. It was crammed with articles Of
beauty or for amusement-but all we're
for Viva
There stood the piano. of dark and
lustrous wood, in niche arched with
marble. the white keys
smiling out of the darkness. A tangle
Of brier roots and heather lay across the
top and dropped upon the key board,
and Ulva's blue velvet Scotch cap with
its single feather nestled among the
odorous heap
The gloomy duskiness of the antique
paneled room had been frightened by
draperies of palest blush
rose and palest sky color; against this
Ulva's harp stood out
plettily upon its gilded pedestal
Bright cabinets, gilt and carven, filed
In the alcoves; the carpet was like
palest moss, the very tenderest, early
green, dashed with flower petals; luxu-
rious lounges and ottomans were pro-
vided for the relief of changing atti-
tudes to the poor captive wife; lovely E!
gure-pictures hung thickly upon the |
walls-no landscapes, to wake the mad |
1ening thirst for freedom.
The windows were modern in shape |
Ind size, and were flied in with many |
81 luisite flowers, over which the sunset |
glory was now streaming into the room,
BURNING it into grotto in clOud-land.
A large picture was suspended over |
he fireplace, but nothing of it was WIS., |
BILE but a corner of the richly gilded |
'rame; the painting was entirely con-
,ealed by a heavy 70 e-velvet curtain.
Edgar guessed rightly that Lord Inch |
,ape's features might be seen behind |
hose shrouding folds, and that the ban
shed wife had yelled them from the |
stranger.
A sudden burning Impotence of this |
Misery and mystery beset him.
Why, why must these two fair women |
i've isolated, and conceal their identity |
rom all corners?
TO BE CONTINUED.I