The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1892-02-04

that he hsd been up all night. The table
was covered with papers; q burned ont
fire smoldered in the crate.
Il have read her story" said my lord,
@and pray God for proof Of its truth.
To win back the love of such q heart
is she not a sweet soul? And if she did
for single moment falter in her 10y.
| atty"
Then you do not believe her?" ex-
| claimed Edgar. in grieved surprise; you
think she deceived yoa?"
mo, mol" cried Inchcape, emphatic
| ally: "but she has deceived herself. She
| is now all my own; and she never was
unfsithful in look or word-she has for
| gotten her heart. There must have
been some hope held out for Accrington,
unc0nsciously given, perhaps. but he I'M
derstood it, and sold his honor through
that hope. Sweet soul! have been
harsh to her as FIRE to butterfly;
| should have remembered the disparity in
our ages, and not expected perfect
love-
~Alas, my ford, you never wronged
her moro than you wrong her now, said
Edgar, with heartfelt fervor; yet how
can prove it? If you will not be ieve
/ her. whom will you believe? Not even
Sircombe's testimony. from which ]
hoped so much. will convince YOU"
THAT is different matter" said my
lord, eagerly. u could believe the tes-
timony Of q dsinterested person, when
! it is an impossibility for this stubborn
heart of mine to believe altogether the
| emotional outpourings Of an exquisite
spirit like my Engelonde's after the
cruel sufferings which she has patiently
| endured for my sake She believes what
she has within, because it describes the
state of her heart now; but-oh, that I
could believed"
The last words burst from him like a
wall; he turned from his young kinsman
and gazed with unseeing eyes from .
window.
dgar's youthful anger died as he OBJ
served the naughty noble. The storm of
misfortune which had passed over him
had wrought such a revolution in his
nature as only the afflicted know.
The spring of his mind was broken; no
longer could he hope or love or trust at
will. The cruel whisper of sad eX-
perience was ever at his ear reminding
him that he had been betrayed.
Edgar saw that, although Lady Inch
cape's story had moved him to the
depths of his heart, she had not yet
gained the victory; proof was needed.
He counted the hours to SircOmbe'S ar
rival
He remained for some time with the
Earl. and his whole talk wa, of Sleat-
-Vrecken. Lord Inchcape listened
like one spell bound, saying little, but
never suffering the subject to be
changed.
Ulva was spoken of, but as child,
for her father lad not seen her for two
years, and manlike, pictured her as he
had last seen her, without taking note
of time. Edgar guarded the sweet
secret of his own love loyalty; for he
was too highminded to utter his hopes
to Lord Inchcape at a time when he was
laying him under such deep obligations.
"Wait," he thought, proudly; "when
he is happily reunited to his beautiful
young wife. he may give me Viva of his
own free WILL but this is not the time to
crave such favor"
That afternoon Edgar rode over to
Co,onel Accrington's new purchase,
Castle Skeldraik. He was astonished at
the evidences of unbounded wealth
which met him at every turn; he recOg-
nized the strength of his opponent more
fully. and his hopes of compromise
sank.
A candidate with so much money at
command, could afford to laugh at his
Orbearance-truly, it seemed as if he
could get on without it
But he pushed forward with grim
roco1ufiop IN OF nd TO
ENDURING for the Colonel, he was in
formed by the gent eman'y foot1 an
that his master was in his library, en-
gagged with his agent.
But he will see you, Mr.. Arden"
prophesied Hardy reverentially. @Just
step in here one moment while l send
in" And he led the singular visitor into
a superbly designed and arranged re-
ception room. and backed out, bursting
with curiosity as to the secret of this |
visit Of the rival candidate.
In a very few minutes Colonel Accring- |
ton himself appeared, calm. courteous |
and inscrutable, and greeted Mr.. Arden |
without Offering his hand (Which he per-
haps feared might be rejected).
Edgar Arden and Richard Accrington |
had met several times in the course of |
their lives, but in such fashion that they |
had never CHANGED to make each others |
acquaintance; they knew all |
about each other, and possessed many |
mutual friends.
The present meeting was. therefore
easy and dignified: and the Colonel made
his political opponent very welcome to
his own house, referring with graceful
to the professional rivalry be-
tween them.
"You find me up to the eyes in eec-
bu mess, and quite re olyed to
rOut the enemy" said he. laughing; COR
If that be impossible, as dare say it is,
to give him hard fight for his victory"
Il am quite sure should find Col Ac-
cringtOn fOeman worthy of my steel, if
intended to dispute the field with
him." replied Edgar; and his tone and
steady gaze convinced Accrington that
very personal indeed was