The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1891-11-26

"A StlneQ sigh behind them caused
Alice and Laura to glance that way
they beheld, with far different feelings
the dark and scowling face of Accring-
ton.
He had hand placed on the back of
each lady'S chair, and stood thus close
to the hostess with as assured front as
If he had been the most welcome guest
present Resolved to face down the ef-
feet Of Inchcape's insult before witnesses
lad an opportunity to come to q unani-
nous opinion in discussion among them
selves, and, trusting to their ignorance
OF the real circumstances, he had calmly
walked in through tie very door by
which he had been expelled, as soon q:
he saw Lord Irchcape's departure; and
here he was. drinking in with passion
ate delight the fresh young loneliness Of
the Fairy Queen: and scowling jealousy
upon the too handsome youth who
seemed, by common verdict, to be her
chosen mate.
AS the two ladies turned around,
Colonel Accringt0n met their startled
gaze with soft and melancholy smile.
~Am I indeed such forgotten exile
that the Graces cannot recognize me?"
breathed he. His voice was low and ex-
pressive, his manner chivaIrous. Few
ladies could have withstood his power,
when he chose to exert it; but these
ladies had memories concerning him that
fortified them.
"You must pardon my amazement,"
said Mrs. Crecy, Jelly; 81 certainly mover
expected Richard Accrington to visit
Stafford again"
She did not extend her hand; the
Colonel bit his lips in chagrin, and bowed
low to conceal the tell-tale omission from
the On-lOOkers. 1t had become an object
of ambition to him to stand well with
Stafford; If he could not compel this pop
ular woman to receive him under her
roof, he would commence his intended
career there heavily weighted by sus-
picion. He knew Inchcape's lofty pride
which would not permit him to expose
the cause of their enmity; and II no one
else knew that secret Of the past he be-
lieved that he could have his will in Sal
ford
"You have seen the silly, bewitched
moth fluttering round the fame" said
he. softly. and Mrs. Dellamere caught
his insinuating side glance; during my
weary absence from old England, Sal
ford was my flame, for there l had left
my treasures of friendship and hope. l
have dared to be true to the past; have
come back to my flame"
Mrs. Crecy was silent, for the first
time in her genie life a sheer curled her
lips.
!. Mrs Del,amere forced herself to speak
with bland Indifference.
"HOw absence from bull dog Eng and
polishes one. Or is it your dip omatic life
that has lent such French sentiment and
tervOr to your style?"
Accrington revenged the mockery Ey
bending and looking her in the eyes with
a lurking devil in his own. A small
burning lame leaped up in her ivory
cheek, she Quailed and turned from him
fiercely.
The amiab,e Mrs Crecy observed this
by-p!ay with sickening apprehension;
she was recalling the scene she had wit
messed that last day five years ago, when
Richard AccringtOn and Laura Della
mere had parted. To think that he
could touch her heart strings! Oh, proud
Laura, where is your naughty spirit
now?
But he was her lover once, her first
love, before her spendthrift father sod
her to old Miles Dellamere, the cotton
millionaire; Laura and Richard were
once what Loveday and Auberon are
now, playmates, companions-fitted by
Nature herself to be each others mates
Just now the play was done. the cur
tain down; friends clustered round
them; Squire Crecy discovered the Colo
mel with shout of welcome, and Arch
erield stumped over to him with grim
triumph and red fist extended In the
confusion the two ladies retired arm in
arm from the theater, and sought the |
bijou green-room, where the sylphides |
and their queen were merrily chatting |
over their late efforts.
Why did Laura Dellamere draw her |
beautiful child to her bosom with such
unwonted fervor. and hold her there |
against her heavily thrObbing heart,
while she dropped soft, silent kisses
upon her silken hair and wondering,
sweet eyes?
Why did Mrs. Crecy, watching them,
utter the swift, eager prayer in her
heart, ooh, God, protect the incocent?" |
Thew were remembering the rapt gaze |
of Richard AccringtOn-the passionate |
admiration, the stifled sigh with which |
he had watched little Loyeday through |
her fairy dance.
Richard Accrington was the son of a |
decayed gentleman Of good birth; he |
had made his own way in the world, en-
tered the army as ensign in the DAYS of |
his homage, poverty and love: was Tilted |
by Laura Paget, daughted of q ruined |
baronet and vowed to climb fortunes |
ladder, and wiring her heart some day, |
served abroad with brilliant gallantry,
and come home a colonel and lion,
The first time they met after her per- |
fdy, he chose day, they say. when |
there was a grand muster Of Londons |
proudest in madam's splendid drawing |
rooms they had parted with passionate |
kisses in the parlors of her fathers tum
ble-down mansion) and he strobe through |
tho thronR, his uniform and glitterinR |
medals opening a path for him wherever |
he would 60, and buzz Of . lmiration |
following his Internal beauty and dis
tin9uished celebrity.
So he stood before her, who had VOW
ed by her maiden love to be true to him
Co. nd hA hap t~1A |