Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-02-25
CHAPTER XXX.
DowN 10 MS DEATH.


Trembling with excitement, yet neryed
to the courage Of desperation, Lore
day approached the lonely gate in
the wall, and stood listening intense y
for any sound to warn her of Accring-
toms proximity. There was nothing TO
he heard but the sough of the wintry
wind through the dry caves and the
baying of the far-away hound.
But the lane on the other side of the
wall was thickly carpeted with the grass
of disuse, and he might easily be there
with a dozen rutfians behind him, and no
football be heard
Then the stable clock struck nine, and
an imperative hand knocked upon the
thick open door.
One last ccnvulsive bound of the heart,
and Loveday found herself face to face
with him she expected.
Her innocent eyes scanned his face;
never before had she caught that look of
internal triumph. She shrank back, and
his iron clasp closed about her wrist; he
drew her towards him with a burst Of
reckless passion.
ais it not for the last time, my own
love?" he whispered, beseechingly; "why
grudge me one little kindness? You
know how desperate 1 am to-niaht."
She let her hand lie in his, she let his
arm steal round her waist; she 10 longer
needed what he did; she felt his hand
touch hers no more than If she had
turned to stone; for Auberon Crecy was
beside them, gazing in speechless agita-
ton, and at the same instant two stran-
gers sprang from the shelter OF the wall
outside, and advanced on Accrington.
Accring ton surveyed the intruders,
and uttered a fierce exclamation of as
constituent.
@What! you treacherous? You have
betrayed me, Loveday." he cried. "Oh,
monstrous. I could have staked my life
upon your loyalty. All, well, 1 am no
longer bound to give you this prize-you
have forfeited it," He snatched out an
| envelope, and showed it, tauntingly,
then crumpled it up in his hand.
The act stung the bewildered girl
awake; she chung to his hand with a
wild cry.
sNo, no, give it me; have done moth
! ing to forfeit it," she stammered. 81
! have kent your secret She could say
| no more, for swift as a magical trans
| formation, she and Accrington were out
/ side he gate, and the latter was turning
! the key on Auberon and the two stran-
/ gers, who remained inside.
A closed carriage, drawn by two mag
/ nificent horses, which she recognized as
/ Accringtons, dashed forward from a
/ short distance, where they had evident y
awaited their owners pleasure; and
without stopping to check LOFeQay
! terrified screams, he tore open the coach
door, and proceeded to spring inside.
! He was flying, and he was taking the
! precious confession with him.
That maddening thought drove away
/ every selfish fear; the heroism in gay
/ little Loyeday's blood fired up; she re-
/ membered only that Lord Inchcape's
/ honor was at stake. and that she must
l not fail him, now that she was all he
/ had to depend upon.
you shall not break your promise!"
/ cried she, swooping upon him, and wind
ing her soft arms ar und his, 50 that he
could not enter tie carriage door with
J out thrusting her away by force, an
alternative which he did not seem in
/ clined to take.
sand why not, Loveday?" asked he
! looking down in her lovely little face
. with its new expression Of resolve, and
7 suppressing a smile. @Why not, my
girl? You have deceived me- you see.
Il solemnly declare have nOti" She
answered, and by this time she haC
seized his clenched hand, and was try
ing with al her dainty might to opeI
the iron fingers He dallied one CT TIVE
moments longer with her. so unspeak
able sweet was her close contact to hi
hungering love; but Auberon's voic
broke the spell. and urged him forward
EngrOssed as Loyeday had BEEN sh
had been quite aware that some sort o
struggle was taking place inside the wall
though nothing reached her but an occa
sional painting exclamation Of one OF tn
rough men she had seen in the lane; Blu
now Auberon called out loud and clear: