The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-01-06
A DARK SECRET.
The Story Of a Tragic
Life Drama
BY E. M. DAVY.
CHAPTER uI-Continued.

suspicion, fingered in the vicinity of a
certain corridor. It was all in vain.
Neither message nor note reached me;
and I went toward my room at last, more
disappointed than I should have cared to
own.
As I was about to open my bedroom
door, however, I heard q light football
behind me, looked round and there was
Edna.
AT II tomorrow, in the 'Fernery,'"
she whispered hurriedly; and, without
giving me time to answer, turned and
aeG.
Here was an designation thrust upon
me for the following morning, but which
Of the two ladies was the originator of it
whether mistress or maid-I could not
for the life of me determine.
It might be that Miss Hargreaye-
availing herself Of this means Of com.
munication-meant to claim on the NOR.
row my promised aid. Or, equally likely,
Edna Lynton, repenting her strange con-
duct, sought an opportunity to explain
why she had affected not to know me.
The situation was becoming complicated
with q vengeance, but I bore it with the
greatest equanimity, smoked innumera-
Bile cigarettes. and. while I did so there
stole over me q feeling Of such pleased
confidence in myself, my appearance and
my prospects as for five long years I had
never known.
Next day, Sunday-a bright. chill Octo-
Der morning-after watching a few stray
elers set off for church, among whom was
Mrs. Hargreave, I bent my steps toward
the AFernery," a small grotto situated n
the grounds. close to Glendale House.
It was filed SO full of ferns and green
49,, - Goh ~~~l n-l {@rva~- ~n1~on that
more than two persons moving about in
it at the same time was impossible. ]
reached this spot early, and sat down on
the solitary rustic bench the place con-
tanned.
The distant church bells ceased to
chime, IL o'clock struck, and shortly
afterward I could hear approaching foot.
steps.
He has not come!" Miss Hargreavs
exclaimed, impulsively.
'Hush!" Then followed q few whis
pered words.
By no means desirous of overhearine
anything not intended for my ears, I rose
and showed myself at the entrance. Ed.
ma Lynton drew back instantly, and.
without looking at me, walked eway; but
Miss Hargreaye, with a slight bow, en-
tered the grotto and sank on the rustic
bench as though exhausted.
I'm weak still, she said, family, and
leaning back, she closed her eyss, while ]
gazed in silent admiration at the dark,
curved lashes that dropped on the flushed
cheeks, noting also the exquisite figure
set off by the tight fitting velvet dress.
sit down, Mr.. Dudley" she said pres.
emily; but I declined, and continued to
stand over her, waiting, in a respectful
attitude, till she should feel herself sufh.
GENTLY recovered to say more.
At length, with q deep sigh, she reused
herself and looked straight into my face.
This is very humiliating," she said,
with q laugh that sounded hysterical;
very humiliating-for me-"
With all the eloquence I was master OF
in words, in looks-I besought her to
put aside such an idea now and forever
She had but to c. nmand, I would obey.
Was / not her chosen knight?
How delightfully."- romantic!" she
cried; her whole face, but above all, hei
glorious eyes, lighting up with that look
Of e~spieglerie which had so charmed me
on first seeing her.
Il, at least, am in earnest, I remarked,
in a tone Of pique.
And so am I. God knows Ineed help
sorely! It is with the greatest difficulty
have been able to arrange this meeting.
But for that good girl who came with me,
I should have been powerless to do 80.
Unjust make haste and tell you everything,
Mr.. Dudley, or you cannot understand.
My own mother died before 7 can remem-
ber.. My father married again about
twelve years since-I believe solely on my
account. I was a charge, q trouble, to
him. I called his wife mother and ]
loved her, for she was very kind. Two
years ago my father was thrown from, his
horse-in the hunting feld-and died
next day. Oh, it was a terrible time!"
she said, shudderingly; and for a moment
she covered her face with her hands. Il
was i'll after that-so i'll! And then
. mother changed to me. She
became less kind and, later, she turned
severe, unfeeling, cruel. She insisted
upon leaving our beautiful home, and
she took me about travelling from place
to place. She says it is for my good,
but I hate it-oh, how I hate it! My
father was o rich man, I know it, and she
has plenty Of money. But I-oh, how
am I to tell you for very shame?"
Then %springing from the seat and
pushing back the little fur hat she wore,
80 that it fell down among the ferns, she
laid her beautiful white hand upon my
sleeve.
Il am not allowed to have even the
smallest coin you would fling to the poor
est beggar!" she whispered, and the
CLEAN Of her dark eyes liked on mine
seemed to exercise a magnetic influence
vel me.
Fine dresses, jewels, anything that
san be bought, are NINE simply for the
asking, but I have no money. I have no
freedom! y y Mr.. Dudley, she con-
inued, speaking more rapidly and Gag
,rly, with both hands now clasped upon
nv arm, Il am treated like a slave, a
orisoner-dragged about this country, as
was about the continent last year, from
place to place. We can keep no serv-
ants. If my mother engages q travelling
maid and l like her, she is at once dis
missed. The servants mother approves !
1ate. They are set as spies over me.
b girl who was engaged and came from
Wexham yesterday will be sent away i'm
nediateIy it is discovered ] have made a
friend OF her. But q nan can help me
pest-s man like you! There must surely
20 some English law to protect o poor
sirl placed as [ am. But without money,
cow am I to appeal to law? I want to
know about my fathers will. He must
nave left money that I should have, now
{ am of age. 1t is not possible he could
be so unjust, 30 cruel. as to give 1t all to
ner-"
you would like me 10 find out p~articu-
,srs of your fathers will, I suppose, Miss
iargreave?" said I, with difficulty re-
sSoining all outward manifestation OF the
. = f1 A--- All.