The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-10-19
CHAPTER XVIII.

PREPARING FOh AN OhDEhL-
The next day after the conference be.
tween Cora Elliston and the private Sec
retary, in the library, they met again;
and directly afterward Slyme started tor
Roxbury. =,
On his return he reported that he had
arranged everything to the best OF his
ability; that Warren Leland had not yet
made his appearance at the Metcalfs'; /;
that his own house was nearly, If not
quite, completed; but, 30 far as he could
learn, the young man had not yet taken
up his abode there.
He might, he said, give up the idea and
not live there at all; or even if he did, ne
might not form the acquaintance of any
of the Metcalf family; but should he do
80, he, Slyme, would be informed at
once. and then Mildred would be sum-
marily removed, as they had agreed In the
morning. =,
why do you say he may give up the
idea of living in Ro1bury after oil"
There is some talk of his leasing the
place to wealthy party, who, now that
It is reftted, is very anxious to get pos
session Of it."
''Do you believe there is anything in
it?"
Il QOn Know.
"You had better go to Ro1bury again
a moments thought.
Il think it would be good plan my
SELF" rejoined the secretary.
But the very next day he received
telegram from the Senator, calling him.
peremptorily, to washington, ana ne was
Obliged to leave that same evening.
AS he passed down the broad staircase
he glanced back, and saw. Eugene Cleve-
land entering Cora Elliston's boudoir.
He gnashed his teeth with rage, and
went away with murder in his heart:
Days and weeks passed. and still the
Senator's wife fingered in New York.
It WAS almost six weeks after Slyme's
departure. 1t was nearly six o'clock in
the afternoon and Cora awaited Eugene.
who was to come after leaving the pub
fishing house down town.
There was sudden knock at one OF the
doors of her room, which communicated
with her husbands apartment.
It was the Senator himself, who had
une1pe ctedly returned from Washington.
She remarked with surprise, and even
with fear, that his countenance WIS
strangely agitated.
"You here, Sherwood?" she exclaimed.
"What is the matter with you? Are you
ill2"
mo" replied the Senator, mot at all. "
Your return is sudder, and unexpect-
ed," she said.
mo doubt"
He placed himself before her, and
looked at her some moments before
speaking again, his eyes rolling in their
orbits. ,
Coral" he said at last. with a painful
smile, Il must own to you nv folly. l
have not lived since yesterday-I ha1e
received such singular letter. Would
you like to see it?"
IF YOU please" she replied.
He took letter from his pocket and
gave it to her. The writing was evident
~ carefully disguised, and 1t was not
signed. -, ;,
whose eyebrows were slightly raised, with
an expression of disdain; then che COM
menced reading the missive, which was
as follows:
"A true friend, Senator, feels indignant
at seeing our confidence and your trust
abused. You are deceived by those whom
you love most.
"A man upon whom you have heaped
favors. and woman who owes everything
to YOU, are united by secret intimacy
which outrages you. They are impatient
for the hour when they can divide you,
spoils.
He who regards it as pious duty to
warn you, does not desire to calumniate
any one. He is sure that as yet your honor
is respected by her to whom you have
confded it, and that she is still worth OF
your confidence and esteem. She wrongs
you in allowing herself 10 count upon
the future, which your trusted friend
dates.from your death. He seeks your
widow and your property.
,rlhe poor lady submits against her
better judgment to the fascinations OF
man who, as is we'll known, has already
betrayed at least one toniding woman.
But he-this man, your friend, our rela-
tive, almost your son-b Nv can he excuse
himself? Everv honest person must be
revolted by such conduct, and particular
" he whom chance informed of the fact,
and he who obeys his conscience in Civ.
ing you this information"
Cora, after reading 1t. returned the let
ter to her husband.
SISh ~ ooShi oiNibO, BUG So1o'
"Do you think so?" asked the Senator.
1T is as clear as day, replied the lady.
These expressions betray hi1n-'a pious
duty to warn you'-'has already betrayed
at least one confding woman'-'every
honest person obeys his conscience He
can disguise his writing, but not his
style. But what is still more conclusive
is that which he attributes to Eugene
Cleveland-for 1 suppose it alludes TO
him-and his private prospects and CAL
cuIations. This cannot have failed to
strike you, as it has myself, suppose?"
If I thought this vile letter was his
work, erie the Senator, "he should
leave my employ. I woald kick him out
of the house."
"Why so? 1t is better to laugh ut It'll"
The statesman commenced one of his
solemn walks up and down the room.
Cora looked uneasily at the clock. Her
husband, intercepting one of these
glances, suddenly stopped.
DO you expect Eugene today" he in
quired.
Yes, I think he will call after business
ls over"
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