The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-11-16
BETRAYED;
A DARK MARRIAGE
MORN.
A Romance of LoUe, Intrigue and
Crime.
BY MRS. ALICE P. CHARLESTON.
CHAPTER XxIV-tContinued1


He thought it bad taste in Clara not to
have maintained longer the high ideal his
innocence had created for her.
house, and had the presentiment of her
approving presence, he was troubled.
Doubt and anxiety assalled him.
When he saw through the trees the
window Of her room his heart throbbed so
violently that he had to sit down on the
root of tree for moment.
Il love her like madman!" he muir
INJURED. Then, leaping up suddenly, he
exclaimed: But she is only q woman
after all. shall go on"
For the first time Clara received him
in her own apartment. She was sitting
in an armchair, and, contrary to her
custom, had no work in her hands.
She appeared calm, though two lvid
circles surrounded her eyes. She had
evidently suffered much, and wept much.
On seeing this dear face worn and hag-
gard With grief, Leland forgot the neat
phrases he had prepared for his entrance.
Heforgot all except that he really adored
her. -.
He advanced hastily toward her, seized
In his two hands those of the young lady,
and without speaking interrogated her
eyes with Tenderness and profound pity.
1T is nothing" she said, Withdrawing
her hand and bending her pale face
gently; Il am better; I may even be
happy, If you wish it. :
There was in the smile, the look and
the accent of Clara Denton something
inde6nable, which froze the blood OF
Leland.
He felt confusedly that she loved him,
and vet was lost to him; that he had be-
fore him species of being he did not
understand, and that this woman, sad
dened, broken, and lost by love. yet loved
something else in this world better even
than that love.
She made him slight sign which he
obeyed like child, and he sat down be-
side her.
Mr.. Leland" she said, in voice trem-
ulous at first, but which grew stronger as
she proceeded, II heard you last hight
perhaps with little too much patience.
I shall now, in return, ask from you the
same kindness. You have told me that
you love me; and I avow frankly that I
entertain o warm affection for you. Such
being the case, We must either separate
forever, or unite ourselves by the only tie
worthy Of US both. To part would affect
me much, and also believe it would oc-
casion grief to You. To unite ourselves
for my own part would be willing to
give you my life; but cannot do it, l
cannot wed you without manifest folly:
You are younger than I am, I think. !"
Then hurriedly:
But there is another reason. do not
belong to myself. I belong to my daugh-
ter, to my family, to my past. In giving
up my name for yours would wound-I
would cruelty wound all the friends who
surround me. and, believe, some who
exist no longer.
well, sir" she continued, after mo-
ment's hesitation, Il have discovered q
way by which We may avoid breaking off
an intimacy SO pleasant and sweet to
both of us-in fac., to make it closer, If
anything. My proposal may surprise
you, but have the kindness to think over
1t, and do not say no at once"
She glanced at him. and was terrified
at the pallor which overspread his face.
She gently took his hand and said:
Listen patiently"
Speak on, he muttered, hoarsely.
Mr.. Leland" she continued, with her
angelic smile, you have seen and ad-
mired my hearts darliDg-my friend and
companion, Mildred Lester. You know
now MUCH BUG ID W ucs C2aSo pA0 hASs
came to us have learned to love her with
all nv heart. She is more than q friend
more than Q sister to me. Having
watched over her so long and constantly,
I have all a mothers feeling and affec-
ton for her. She is, she must ever be
the same to me as my own child. She is
beautiful-far more beautiful than I am,
and since she has wholly recovered her
physical health, her mind has developed
with marvellous rspidity; and although a
portion Of her life is yet blank, in edu-
cation and refinement she is the peer Of
any lady in the land. Warren Leland, I
desire you to make Mildred Lester your
wife!"
Leland started abruptly to his feet and
seized the woman br the whist, casting q
searching look into her eyes Then, as
he realized the full purport Of her words,
bo sank hack aa one thundorstruck,