The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-10-05
BETRAYED;
A DARK MARRIAGE
MORN.
A Romance of LoUe, Intrigue and
Crime.
BY MRS. ALICE P. CARRISTON.
CHAPTER XII.

Bank, in which EugeEe Cleveland hao
been assistant bookkeerer and in which
Ray Fielding was still employed, was
Sidney Leland. Esquire, near reighbor
of the Hon. Sherwood Elliston, and a
very wealthy and important parsonage, in
deed.
he had married young, ard had two
grown-up chlldren-a son and daughter.
The son, Warren Leland, was not far from
twenty-eight years of age. The daughter
was some years younger.
On leaving his uncle's house that event
full afternoon Eugene walked slowly to-
ward the next corner, lingering for stage
to ove,take him.
As he arrived opposite the Leland nan
sion the door opened and young man
issued forth. He was not only strikingly
handsome but very stylish looking, and
had that indescribable air Of the elite
which, without words, proclaimed to all
the world how exceedingly we'll satisfied
he was with himself and his position in
life.
An unaccountable feeling Of aversion
seized Eugene, and he experienced
sensation such as one is said to feel when
an enemy walks upon his grave.
Warren Leland" be muttered, as he
passed on. Wonder what he's up to now?
Some devlltry, L II De DounQ
Leland, after nod of recognition,
walked slowly down the street.
Presently a cab approached. He sig
nal. the driver, and, as it drew up to the
sidewalk, said:
, Grand Central Depot" and sprang in
side
On reaching the depot, he bought o
ticket for Bedford Park, and little later
landed at that station.
He made his way to one of the most
attractive streets of the village on foot,
and presently stopped before gate upon
which gentleman, little older than
himself, was leaning.
This man, Hobart Brownell, had been
his classmate and chum at Yale. He loved
Leland, and trusted him.
He had been poor. but now was sue
cessful civil engineer, and likely. In the
near future, to be very rich.
His family consisted of his wife, very
beautiful lady some years younger than
himself, and her mother.
Leland, since leaving college, had lost
sight of Brownell, and had only recently
met him again and become acquitted with
his wife.
But since he had first seen her, his
visits to Bedford Park had been quite
frequent, and had resulted in seriously
disturbing Amy Brownel's peace of mind.
At first she had only been dazzled by
the elegant Warren Leland; but soon,
without herself really knowing it, this
man had taken possession Of her very
soul.
He, seeing clearly the situation, was
little disquieted at the course things were
taking, and made some slight effort to
divert it.
But men, who in fencing wish to spare
their adversary, often find habit too
strong for them, and lunge home in spite
of themselves.
Besides. he began to be really interested
in Amy Brownell-in her unsophisticated
ways, at once artful and simple, provoking
and timid, suggestive and reticent-ln
short, charming.
And so it was he was now standing al
the gate facing her husbsnd.
MY friend" said the latter, as you are
here you can do me a great favor. A tel
egram calls me suddenly to Chicago. ]
must 60 on the instant. The ladies are
feeling quite blue; pray stay and dine
with them! I can't tell what the deuce
ails NV wife. She is weeping half the
tine. My mother-in-la has headache.
Your presence will cheer them. So stay.
beg of you"
Leland refused, hesitated, made objec-
tions, and, of course, consented. He went
in, and his friend presented him to the
ladies, whom the presence Of the unez-
pected guest seemed to cheer little.
Brownell started for the depot, after re-
ceiving from his wife an embrace more
fervent than usual.
The dinner was really cheerful.
In the atmosphere was that subtle es.
sence Of coming danger OF which both
Leland and Amy felt the ezhilara ing in
Huence. Their excitation, as yet innocent,
employed itself in those lively sallies-
those brilliant com bats at the BARRIERS
that ever precede the more serious con-
fict.
About o'clock the headache OF Amy's
mother became more violent. She de-
clared she could endure it no longer, and
must retire to her chamber. Leland
wished to withdraw, but the elder lady
insisted he should wait until it was time
for the next train.
Let my daughter amuse you with some
music until then" she added.
Left alone with her guest, the younger
lady seemed embarrassed.
What shall I play for you?" she asked,
In constrained voice. taking her seat at
the piano.
"Oh, anything. Play waltz, answered
Leland, absently.
The waltz finished, an awkward silence
ensued. To break it she arose hesitating-
ly, then claspipg her hands together, ex.
claimed:
1t seems to me there is storm COM
ing. Do you not think so?"
She approached the widow opened it,
and stepped out on tie veranda.
In a second Leland was by her side.
The night was beautifully clear. Be-
fore them stretched the somber shadow of
the trees, while nearer trembling rays of
moonlight sept upon the lawn.
Their trembling hands met and for q
moment did not separate.
Amy" whispered the yonn3 man in
low, broken voice. She shuddered, re-
pulsed the arm be passed round her, and
hastily re-eptered the room.
Leave me, l pray YOU! she cried,
with an impetuous gesture of her hand,
as she sank upon the sofa aud buried her
fare in her hands.
Of course Leland did not obey. He
seated himself by her.
In little while Amy Brownell awoke
from her trance.
How bitter was that awakening! She
measured at first glance the depth Of
the awful abyss into which she had sud-
denly plunged. Her husband. her mother,
all whom she loved, whirled round like
specters in the mad whirlpool OF he1 brain.
Sensible Of the anguish of an irreparG-
~nl + l.