The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-11-30
a DARK MARRIAGE
MORN.
A Romance of LoUe, Intrigue ard
Crime.
BY MRS. ALICE P. CARR1STON.
CHAPTER XXIX-tContinued.)


his careful business management and
clever speculations augmented it every
day.
Mrs. Leland continued to reside at her
old home in Ro1bury, where her son
passed much of his time.
Clara Denton and Mildred Lester were
still for the most part, in New York, and
there were now bright hopes that Mil
dred would soon be her old self again
this the great specialist emphatically
promised.
Warren Leland passed all his evenings,
when he was in the city, in their society.
Eugene Cleveland's lisison with Cora
Elliston, without being proclaimed, was
suspected. and completed his prestige.
His prosperity. too, was great. 1t was,
nevertheless true that he did not enjoy it
without trouble. Two black spots dark
ened the sky above his head, and might
contain destroying thunder.
His life was eternally suspended on
thread.
Any day Senator Elliston might be in
formed Of the intrigue which dishonored
him, either through some selfish reason
or through public rumor, which began to
spread.
uncle would never submit to it. and he
had determined never to defend his life
against his outraged friend and relative.
This resolve, firmly decided upon in his
secret soul, gave him the last solsce to
his conscience.
All his future destiny was thus at the
mercy Of an accident most likely to hap
pen. J.
was the jealous hatred manifested by
Cora against the young rival she had her.
self selected. ..
After having jested freely on this sub
ject at first, she had, little by little,
ceased even to allude to it. =.
Eugene could not misunderstand cer-
tain mute symptoms, and was sometimes
alarmed at this 81 ent jealousy.
Fearing to e1asperate this most violent
feminine sentiment in so strong soul,
he was compelled, day by day, to resort
to tricks which wounded his pride, and
probably his heart also; for his wife. to
whom his new conduct was inexplicaole,
suffered intensely, and he saw it.
One evening there was grand'recep-
tion at the Elliston mansion.
Cora, before making little trip with
her husband, whose duties at Washington
were now over for the season, was max
ing her adieus to choice group OF her
friends.
Although this fete professed to be but
q sociable gathering, she had organized
A kind Of gallery, composed OF verdure
and of flowers, connected the drawing
rooms with the conservatory ut the other
end of the garden.
This evening proved very painful one
to Flora.
Her husbands neglect Of her was SO
marked, his assiduities to Cora so per-
sistent, their mutual understanding so
apparent, that the young wife felt the
pain of her desertion to an almost lnsup-
portable degree.
She went and took refuge in the con.
serv vatory, and finding herself alone there,
commenced weeping.
A few moments later, Eugene, not see-
ing her in the drawirg-room, became un-
easy.
She saw him as he entered the conserv-
atory, by one Of those instantaneous
Rlances by which women oontrive to see
without looking.
She pretended to be examining the
flowers, and by strong effort OF will
dried her tears.
Her husband advanced slowly toward
her.
What magnificent camellia!" he said
to her. do you know this variety?"
Very WE'LL" she replied; this is the
camellis that weeps.A
He broke off the flowers.
Flora" he said, Il have never been
much addicted to sentimentality, but
this flower shall keep"
She turned uron him her astonished
eyes.
because love it. he added.
The noise of step made them both
turn.
It was Cora Elliston, who was crossing
the conservatory on the arm Of young
English nobleman.
Pardon me-" she said, smiling; Il
have disturbed You. How awkward of
mel and she passed out.
Flora suddenly grew very red, and her
husband very pale. The Englishman
alone did not change color, for he com.
pretended nothing.
Flora, under pretext Of a headache,
which her face did not belle, returned
home Immediately, promising her hus-
band to send back the carriage for him.
Shortly after. Cora, obeying q secret
sign from Eugene, rejoined him in the
retired snuggery, which recalled to them
both the most cu!pable incident of their
lives. She sat down beside him on the
lounge with naughty nonchalance.
What is it?" she asked.
why do you watch me9' asked Eu.
gene. 1t is unworthy Of you!"
-Ah! an explanation? Disagreeable
thing. It is the first between us-at
least, let us be quick about it, and COM
plete."
She spoke in a voice of restrained pas
sion, her eyes fixed on her foot, which
she twisted in her satin shoe.
We'll, tell the truth" she said. You
are in love with your wife"
He shrugged his shoulders.
Unworthy Of YOU. repeat"
what. tnen, mean these delicate atten-
tions to her?"
You ordered me to marry her, but not
to kill her. suppose?"
She mace strange movement Of her
eyebrows. which he did not see, for
neither of them looked at the other.
After pause, she said:
She has her son: She has her mother!
have no one bat you! Hear me, Eugene;
do not make me jealous, for, when am
30, ideas torment me which terrify even
myself.
wait an instant" she continued, still
more earnestly. Since we are on this
subject, if you love her, tell me so. You
know me-you know am not fond of
petty artifces. Well fear so much the
sufferngs and humiliations of which I
have q presentiment, I nm SO much afraid
of myself, that offer you and give you
your liberty. prefer this horrible