The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-09-28
A DARK MARRIAGE
MORN.
A Romance Of LoUe, Intrigue and
Crime.
By MRS. ALICE P. CARRISTON.
CHAPTER X-iContinued).

An hour or two passed. 1t was nearly
ten o'clock. The door Of the counting.
room opened. Listlessly he looked up,
and to his unbounded establishment, not
to say apprehension, saw his uncle enter.
The visitor came straight toward his
desk.
Eugene slipped from his stool and cast
hasty glance around.
The door of MIR. Norton's private room
was open.
He looked in. The apartment was
empty.
he motioned his uncle to enter, and
followed him into the room.
As he closed the door his uncle turned,
and seizing him by the lapel of his coat,
in an impressive voice said:
well, young mani"
We'll, sir, gasped Eugene.
What are you doing here?'
Il am at work, as you saw"
AT workl Um! Sit down there-sit
down. I say!"
He threw himself into Mr.. Norton's re-
volving chair, while Eugene seated him
self short distance away.
well, WE'LL" he repeated, after .
pause.
@Well, sir; what is it?"
The deuce! You take things calmly,
it seems to me"
-Cslmly!"
"Yes; you havo married since saw you
last, and what's more, lost your wife-in
0 very shocking way, too, must say"
1T is true that 7 have been married,
and alas! it is also true that my wife is
deed"
Very sad, hum! saw accounts Of it
ell in the papers. 1t shocked me very
much. assure you. Perhaps you have
noticed how ag.tated I am at this mo-
ment?"
4 had thought you were not as calm as
usual, uncle"
Calm! Forty devils! Far from it, and
I remembered that I had done you an in
justice!" -.-a
Let that pass, if you please, sir; I had
forgotten it."
But I have not forgotten it, and I
the incident with real pain.
I coaio Wish !e e. myssssf right with
YOU -. -
AVS all right as it is, sir. an, 1at
better off here than was at the BANK;
am, indeed!" A.
business3"
very much, sif'
'see here, my boy, to speak plainly
owe you nothing"
And have never demanded payment
even Of that, sir" returned Eugene, with
Q smile.
nepbew. and have wronged YOU"
Eugene made deprecatory gesture.
uni" went on his uncle. Il am mar
ried, to be sure, and may say that my
wife was made to adorn society. A very
lovely lady, my boy!"
Indeed she is, sir! A very queen!"'
Right, sir. But I have no children,
nor am l likely to have"
Eugene looked up quickly.
In o word" continued his uncle, I
can we'll afford to do something for you. !"
Il am doing we'll by myself, sir.
Mr.. Elliston brushed this answer away
with one majestic sweep Of his hand.
You like this business, you say!" he
asked.
Yes, sir"
You like Mr.. Norton?'
Yes. sir"
well, have made inquiries. He is an
honest mana pushing man. This house
will soon rival the Harpers-the Apple
tons-any in the trade. You shall have
an interest in it, my boy" and with q
grand air, Sherwood Elliston started 20
his feet.
But, uncle, protested Eugene, Il can
not take a gift of money from you-and
SO large q sum as it would require to buy
even q small interest here"
We'll, if YOU won't take it as gift,
YOU must accept it as c loan-but mlndi
It must be for a long time and without
interest"
But, uncle"
Enough! I must do this 10 quiet my
conscience; and because. to tell you the
truth, Ihsve regard for you.
But if anything should happen, and
the sum you advanced is lost
In that case, shall not expect you 10
return a dollar of it. shal: take no re-
ceiot from ycu. and if you never return
the loan under any circumstances, you
will confer great favor upon me-.
Really, uncle
Come, come! Accept it as from a
friend - from a relative - from your
mothers brother-on anv grounds you
please, so you accept. # not, / swear
YOU will wound me SERIOUSLY
Eugene rose, took his uncle hand, and
pressing it, with emotion, said briefly:
Il accept, sir. Thanks"
A look Of relief came into Mr.. Ellis
tons fece. He took one step forward,
then abruptly turning, hurried from the
room.
Eugene fingered, wondering what had
become OF him.
In few moments be returned, accom-
panied by Mr.. Norton.
A long conference followed. Then the
three went out together.
But on the street they separated, Mr..
Elliston and Eugene going 10 the office
of the formers lawyer. where, soon after,
they were joined by Mr.. Norton and his
attorney.
1t was past noon when Mr.. Elliston left
them, and when Euge1e again entered
the doors Of the publishing house, he did
SO q partner. owning one-fourth inter-
est In the business, for which his uncle
had paid $37, 500, and the firm name
henceforth VS. to be John Norton d Co.
For one moment, at the end OF the
transaction, EuAene's peace of mind VI as
some what diatnrhni