The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1892-02-11
CRUEL
The GRAVE
The Secret of DunrdYen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE.
Author Of Faithful Margaret" ETC.. Etc
CHAPTER XvI.-Continued.

CHAPTER XVI.-COntinued.
Accrington had been gracefully loung
Ing against the mantel-piece opposite his
visitor, who had declined the offered
chair: he now Strengthened his tall form.
and threw back his head with satirical
look, which almost disguised his fierce
agitation.
~And may one ask what power have
in the matter?" demanded he.
1.-The power of the wronger to make
PREPARATION to the wronged!" answered
Edgar, sternly. "Col. Accrington, it is
useless to maintain any DISCUSSES. l
have learned the whole history of your
dealings with Lord Inchcape ard his
unhappy lady; and have come to you
TO entreat you for justice to them"
For a moment it seemed as ii Ac-
crington must spring upon him, so fierce
was the glare of his eyes, as he glow
cred with rage and shame; but he stern
ly controlled himself, and stood white
and mute, with clenched hands and
quivering pulses, while Edgar went on
speaking.
at was not Lord Inchcape whotold
me the story; deeply as he has suffered,
l know he would perish on the rack be-
fore he would sue your mercy, or allow
strange chance l learned it, neverthe-
less, and l call upon you to set the wife
right with the husband, and my Lord
Inchcape right with his colleagues who
doubt his integrity through your
agency"
AccringtOn was too proud to deny; he
saw chat Arden had the truth. and that
eQuivocation would not blind him.
He sprang to see that the door was
fast, and remained in that end of the
apartment, pacing swiftly to and fro
the only relief he permitted his violent
excitement-while he strOve to see the
whole Importance of this exposure in its
relations to his ambitious schemes.
A wild rage possessed him; he could
have fallen upon the insOlent accuser
yonder and torn him limb from limb, if
that would have given him back his
damning secret and silenced accusation
forever; but murder would not help
him, that he knew; and he struggled
with himself despairingly for composure,
that he might work his way out of this
net which had so suddenly been thrown
over him.
If Arden chose to utter this accusa-
ton in public. AccringtOn'S chance for
election was ruined: nay, his very resi-
utnCc III odI1OTu WAS I'LL pUSSlUle, lOT ucly
the accuser as he might, he could not
disprove the accusation; and the whole
country would side with the powerful
Inchcape to crush the suspected alien.
And Loveday would despise as we'll as
fear him! Loveday, whom his fierce
heart still pursued with hungering COW
etousnesS, while he watched for the op-
pOrtunity to pOunce upon her!
Would anything induce this foolish
Don QuiXote to be silent?
What did he know?
Col. AccringtOn turned his lowering
eyes upon Arden, and still Striding a about,
said in a hOarse, changed voice:
You have made an astonishing accu-
sation: be good enough to inform me ex-
actly what you refer TOP"
Arden turned from him scOrnfully. He
saw that he meant to have recourse to
shift and evasion; there was no reaching
his scared conscience.
Il appeal to your honor, Col Accring
ton: act the honest man; do right, though
the heavens should fall, and all righteous
men shall respect you. he cried with en-
tergy, striving to inspire the wavering
soul that might lack but spark to kim
die it into generosity,
But Accrington could no longer act
the honest man; he had so long made his
choice of evil instead Of good, that his
character had determined towards the
bad: he must now act according to the
character which he had framed.
For few moments he stood still, gaz-
ing furiously at Edgar. then he walked
up to him, and, still with his ferJcious
eyeball's riveted upon Edgar's, said
slowly:
Listen. my bold mentor. have per-
mitted you to have your say, because /
wanted to catch your game, but l will
allow no word of all this to be uttered
in any other hearing than my own. l
utterly decline to discuss my private
affairs with you, or any one else: and
warn you, that you are meddling in a
matter which may blow you along with
Lord Inchcape, into atoms. The man is
doting surely. to set you upon mel"
my Lord Inchcape knows nothing Of
this appeal" said Edgar haughtily; "you
must know his nature better than to
suppose that he could crouch to his base
foe for his rights
THAT word shall cost you DEAR" said
Accrington, paling horribly as the word
~bases fell like fire upon his pride
God knows l wish it was misapplied!'
exclaimed Arden, cOldly observant of
him. NOW, Slr, let us 10 more OuSl-
nesslike view of the matter. II you
will do Lord Inchcape justice before the
Lords Of the Oriental Mission: promise
you to withdraw instantly from this con-
test for the borough Of Stafford. and
leave you to walk over the course as
you phrase it. A few words of explain
alton from you will convince these men
of his integrity, attainted for five long
years through no fault of his What do
you say; SHAH you be the undisputed
member for Stafford. at the cost of a few
words of deserved seif-blame?"
"No!' Numbered Accrington, writhing
beneath the humiliatinR proposal; Elf
be villain. as you will have 1t, I am no
mercenary villain; l will not sell my
honor for anything moro material than
revenge. BeeOne, insulting fool; you
little know the spirit you have reused
Away with you, before forget my CIV