The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-12-14


ing, inviting her to tea, and promising
that you should escort her home.
But I was out of the city. You knew
that was to leave for the East on
morning train.
True. but trains run West, ss we'll a.
East, and there was On attraction here
she laughed and pointed to the now
blushing Mildred.
-By the way" she ratified on, Il saw the
doctor. and told him about 1t. He sald'
it might turn out to be the crve of Mil.
dred. =. >.
the door bell.
Miss Fielding" announced the ser.
want.
All rose, and an instant later Meta pre-.
sented herself.
-Mr. Leland" said Edith, beginning
the introduction of Warren.
She was interrupted by sharp cry OF
seemingly mingled surprise and pain.
All eyes were upon Mildred, who, with
uplifted hands, was swaying to and fro.
Warren Leland presVlted his strong
arms none too quickly to prevent hei
from falling to the floor.
In an instant Clara was using restora-
tives to recall her from the swoon into
which she had fallen.
Stand q little back, please, Miss
Fielding" said the young man as he saw
signs of returning consciousness in the
fair, young face. 1T will be better fof
her not to see you at first.
Metal Metal" cried Mildred, upon
opening her eyes. I'm certain saw
her"
An instant later and the two old-tin
friends we're clasped in each others arms.
You are better, dsrling?" queried War
rem, as he half jealously withdrew his
afianced wife from the embrace of Meta.
You remember the past now?"
Remember the past?" she repeated, as
if not understanding the question.
Yes. You knew Miss Fielding long
AND my brother Ray?" added Meta.
Yes, yesI" shrieked Mildred. oh, God!
Better death than this!'
Her mind wsnders," said Warrenj
anxiously. Come, rouse yourself, dar-
ling; my little wife that is soon to be-"
Your wife? Oh, God! What do you
sayp am a wife already" !;
She gently disengaged herself from
the yielding arms of her bewildered loverI
and stepped toward Meta. :.
"She raves" said Clara. This shock,
instead of restoring, has overthrown her
mind"
But Meta shook her head sadly. :,
Mildred is right, said she. "She was
married some years ago." ::
ITO whom?" demanded Leland, fran
tically.
ITO Eugene Cleveland" cried Mildred,
answering for herself.
INV sisters husband?" shouted War
rem Leland. THE scoundrel!"
MY husband married again?" !;
With q moan Of anguish the deeply
wronged and suffering woman fell sense
less to the floor.
CHAPTER xXxv.
HOUSE OF SORROWS.
Unhappy, distracted, Eugene Cleveland
had no doubt that he knew who had
dopged the footsteps Of himself and wife
in their strange ramble through the woods.
The appearance Of Mrs. Leland and the
vague expression of suspicion on her
part had convinced him that she had
been the spy. !,
In this he was mistaken. Becoming
alarmed at the long absence OF her daugh-
ter, and filled with vague fear that the
warning Of Phebe Craven might contain
an element of truth, the mother had has
tened to find Flora, that she might pro-
tect her, if necessary, from the murder
GUS hand Of her husband.
She had arrived upon the scene at the
moment calculated to confirm her sus-
pic .ous fears.
But it was man who had followed the
pair before the unfortunate, almost fatal,
episode at the rustic bridge, which had
convinced Flora that at heart her be-
loved, idolized husband, the father OF
her child, was murderer.
This man was the degraded, reyengefu]
Oscar Slyme. :,
Rendered desperate by the failure Of
his diabolical schemes, and burningwith
a desire for vengeance, he had persistent
ly dogged the movements Of young Cleve.
land.
He had seen Eugene emerge from the
Elliston mansion and had followed him
to the Grand Central Depot, and taken
passage on the train which bore him to
Roxbury.
After the fight of the two terrified Ia.
dies, the wretch whose name was 80
truthful an index to his character, watch.
ed the distracted young man for some
time.
he had come to Roxbury bent on TAX
ing his enemy's life, and now saw an
opportunity to accomplish his end with.
out danger of being suspected OF the
dastardly crime. :.
It'll be reckoned case of suicide
muttered he at length, as he produced
revolver and started forward.
But almost inst eptlY he checked him!
seit, and smile Of triumph swept his
rage distorted features.
Returning the weapon to his pocket, he
glided swiftly from the spot.
With the good fortune which seems
sometimes to favor the eyil-minded, he
caught train, and was. not long after
wards, entering cab at Forty.seccnd
street, New YORK.
Alighting after a short drive, he boldly
ascended the marble steps leading to the
Elliston mansion
The hour was late for calling upon
lady, yet Slyme lost no time in ringing
the bell, and in notifying the sleepy foot,
man who answered it that he desired to
see his mistress upon business OF urgent
Cora Elliston, looking peerless in he,
widows weeds, received him in the IL
brary.
At first she had resolved not to see the
e1-secretary, but upon reflection had
changed her mind, deciding that he must
know something of startling nature to
communicate.
what brings you here?" she asked ab-
ruptly, without taking seat.
'Your interests"
BAIL" interrupted the siren, looking
more beautiful than ever, in scorn.
And nv own" added the man, diplo.