Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-12-03
CRUEL
=AS-
The GRAVE,
The Secret Of DunPaVen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author of"Faithfn Margaret Etc, Etc
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author OF aFaithf,,l nrarearat. Etc 1T.
CHAPTER Iv-,cen.lnuea.l


tion OF a clown.
Accrington bowed low and mockingly;
then seized the unhappy lady's hand
raising II by the wedding-ring which he
had between his finger and thumb-not
even grasplng her skin in his over
whelming scorn, and affecting 10 be ad-
miring the lovely hand with rough
soldiers gallantry, he said in tone per-
1ectiy audible TO those who stood about:
Madam, you Promised this TO me;
shall use my sworC 10 secure my prop
ertyf But faithi 1 believe you knew
best-'twas not worth the giving" And
with that he left her.
She never saw him again until she had
been ten years a widow, when he came
TO Inchcape Fosse the summer Lord
AnchcaPe's second wife was there.
LaSra Dellamere was then an exquis-
ately preserved beauty of twenty-nine.
He amused himself by ueeeiving her
as to his feelings, and left her heart
Wrung with grief and shame.
he went abroad again, TO the East
this time; performed ably some special
service for the Government, sold out
and entered diplomatic Service; and at
last has returned to England, hand
someiy pensioned in recognition Of his
usefulness. He intends to make a home
for himself in his own land; he is tired
OF exile, perhaps weary OF sad memo les
oy fresh and, perhaps, brighter expert
enceS
He had at first no settled plan; no
preference OF one spot above another;
ne was never lover of his fathers
home, and Will certainly not choose that
locality for HIS future residence.
But Stafford called him by its crowd
Ing memories-he resolved to paw a fly
ing visit to it and look round upon the
old faces, and perhaps hear a word or
Two about the old tragic romance. His
uncle Archerheld would be his excuse,
and would give him a bed. He had long
known Of Lord Incheape's withdrawal
from society, and his hermit existence;
he bad no fear of encOuntering him.
When nearing Stafford he CHANGED to
hear of the entertainment at Dormant
given in honor OF the son; he smiled
dryly as lie thought OF a certain unique
curiosity he had packed into his case
along with his sporting gear; although l
fear he had intended it for a fal differ
emit Terson-one whom it might be COM
Portable TO cOnciliate-it would do excl
lently for young Crecy. and would be a
graceful gift to a transcendental poet
With this in his hands wherewith to
purchase a favorable reception, he ar
rived at the Dormant portal was an
formed where the assembly were anus
Ing themselves, and allowed to place his
CART In suitable manner among the
grand array which already awaited
young Auboron's acceptance
Then he made his way into tho thea.
ter, aud was stunned by the presence of
the one man above the earth whom he
feared with a mortal drend-the one
nan who could call him liar.
From that brief encounter Accrington
mad emerged different creature. He
came TO Stafford a man without a pur-
pose-he had found his purpose now
ay, with a vengeance!
group of eXquisites clustered around
the ex-attache, each eager to renew or
commence an acquaintance with one
who, II was whispered in diplomatic cir
cles, had risen to such Importance
abroad that he welded no little infu-
ence at home
In political England statecraft is for
the most able to engage in, and those
who succeed are men to be courted bv
the no6lest OF the land, for their hands
hold the keys OF Office, and their good
word sometimes is enough to secure the
portfolio for the anxious candidate.
In eOnciliating Accrington, these men,
younger sons OF noble houses, and
lords near the bottom of their ex-
chequer' had an eye to the future, and
paid him marked attention, con-
veniently smothering any suspicious
they might have had of him from that
passing glimpse Of Inchcape's imperiOus
disdain.
He was bssleged with questions about
nts residence abroad. and his intentions
for the fu ure, all Of which he answered
with the discretion Of the attache.
And where do you quarter yourself?B
asked Lucius Leicester, a fashionable
sporting man, near the end OF his patri-
mony.
Accrington's smile was non-commitaL
with me, chuckled Archerfield, sun-
less I've been too late, and Hal Crecy's /
secured him."
-NO, you're ahead of me; but let's
leave it to himself, said the hospitable
Crecy.
Aeerington threw an involuntary
glance toward the two great easy chairs |
In which Mrs. Crecy and Mrs. Dellamere |
had been sitting and next instant had the |
mortlhcatlon OF perceiving old Archer
heid's red face expand in a grin of ex-
traordinary significance.
Every body hung expectantly upon his |
next utterance
~By these mighty contortions OF our /
doughty TritCn's countenance, we NAV
hope for something recherche. remark
ed Lucius Leicester; come, sir, eiieve 1
your mind-I shall protect you from the |
consequences.
The speaker was slim, girlish, ex-
quisite, with an air OF elegant apathy: /
and the rear-admiral was a burly giant /
with hOarSe voice
Stealing glance at Accrington's frigid
face. his uncle complied.
-St)w thai, ye ribald crew, said he
majesti ally; we should blush for the
Drofigaey of your ideas The expression
which Luce pre- umes 10 describe by the
offensive word h.deOus' was a sIontane-
Gus tribute to the power OF the fair. |
know that II there was any choice be-
tween my bachelor den and DORMANT
with its fascinating hostess-nOt to speak
OF lis proximity to place called the
Pavilion
-Oh, as for that. you are quite mistak-
en!" hastily interpOSed Accriugton, his
bright eyes emitting a flash which might
well have intimidated the audaciOus
1es'er. Il am scarcely fit guest for
ladies' silken bOudOirs; / shall with all
my heart accept your kindness, admiral,
for a few days banking yol all the !
same, squire, for yoIr hOspi able offer.
This matter arranged, the gentlemen
Joined the rest OF the company, who
were now strolling about the long suite
OF reception rooms.
Auberon's gifts were arranged in
pretty little cabinet-chamber, brilliantly
illuminated and decked with flowers.
Conspicuous among them was Colonel
Offering.
This was curious specimen OF Japan
csc art-s small dais or stand gold
lacquered and pearl-inlaid, supported by
q beetling crag with ocean waves foam
ing around its base, wrought in giisten-
ing silver and on the tOpmOst pinnacle
OF the crag poised stormy petrol cut
out OF mother OF pearl, holding in its
claws roek-crystal- ball as large as an
apple. and polished to such a splendid !