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

daughters sake dragged her back and
sent her the other way.
When the strangers halted at the
door, Grim on silk curtain was lifted
from the parlor window, and Cheerful
stream of light illumined the faces Of
Col Accrington. Auberon Crecy and the
farmers lad who had driven them.
Mrs. Cellamere drew back from the
window with one last throe of anguish
HE is here, but where is my dsugh.
teri Has he married her already?'
thought she. But she appeared at the
door with q composed mien.
Auberon clasped her hands; his eyes
were flashing with Joy.
~She is safe at Farmer Growers
house, said he: "there was an accident
and she was exhausted. though unhurt;
we both came to tell you
But Accringt0n was in one OF his
dark, silent RACES; he deigned no in
formation.
sAnd this lad-does he return home
tonight" indicating the gaping farm
er's boy.
Auberon had arranged that he should
obtain refreshment for himself and his
horse at DORMANT, and return imme-
diately, bearing any message Mrs.
Dellamere might wish to send Miss
Dellamere.
He dispatched him to DORMANT then,
promising to bring him the message
soon.
The three were left in the vestibule;
Mrs DeIlamere would not ask Col. Ac'
crington inside her door. The bright
lamplight from the window shone full
upon his lowering face Mrs. Della
mere turned on him with q commanding
gesture.
Speak, Col Accrington; I presume
you are here to do so And pray be
concise, for this is the last time Mrs.
Dellamere shall have the honor of an in
terview with Col. Accrington.r
Her whitening tones reused him.
MADAM" said he, quietly, Il am
here to say that unless marriage fol-
lows the imprudence committed to-day,
Miss Dellamere's innocent name will be
the prey of every foul mouth in Stafford.
shall marry her."
"Never! never!" calculated Mis-. Del
lamere, growing pale as death; "you
have doubtless played the game very
adroitly. and will have rich revenge,
if defeated; still shall def, at you. If
it be as you say, that You have put my
daughters name in every foul mouth in
Stafford, l shall take her far from En-
gland and begin new life. The grave
were preferable to union with you"
Think, fair friend; marriage will
save her." said Accrington, softly; care
you right to sentence your innocent
daughter to be UNANIMOUSLY slandered, to
the breaking of her heart and the ruin
of her prospects
@Ah, have mercyl" gasped the un-
happy MOTHER" covering her ears with
her hands. "What demon inspires this
man. that he can play on human heart
strings whatever tune he in his wicked
ness desires? My daughter! my sun
bright LOyeday. scOrned and shamed,
her spirits crushed-her heart broken!
oh, my God, is there no way to save her
but this way!"
She wrung her hands and wept, and
AccringtOn, leaning in the easiest atti-
tude, drank in her despair with exulting
JOY. He thought he had vanQuished the
mother; and in his citation he felt quite
strong enough to vanquish the daughter
in turn.
Auberon suddenly spoke.
Il have waited to hear Colonel Ac-
crington's apologies for the distress he
has caused two helpless ladies; and his
assurances that no harm has been done.
hear, instead. threat that Miss Della
mere shall be DETAINED if she does not
marry him. Marriage will save her. you
are quite sure of that, sir?"
Accrington bowed low and mockinglY.
Auberon took Mrs Dellamere's cold and
trembling hand, and caressed it between
his own warm nervous ores.
"Then marriage shall save her!" cried
he, flushing up, and fixing his sparkling
eyes beseechinghly upon Mrs. Della
mere, while the thrill from his own
heart tingled through his hands into
hers, and crept along all her veins like
new life. Marriage shall save her; but
l shall be the bridegroom, If you. dear
est madam, will consent Dear Mrs
Dellamere, let me marry Loveday 1
beseech you, say yes!"
"You, my boy" whispered Mrs Della
mere, gazing at him almost wildly, while
sprang erect with a fierce
air. "But is not this pity? generous
pity, which yet fills me with humilia-
tion!"
"Pity!" echoed Auberon, hot'y, "who
shall dare pity Loveday! l assure You,
Mrs Dellamere, that as circumstances
have fallen out, Loveday is in no dan
ger, not the slightest, as you will see for |
yourself when you have heard all.
love her, and she loves me-"
"Ha!" snarled Accrington, looking as
II he would spring upon him. "You |
take much for granted, my modest boy"
Colonel AccringtOn. to spare you any |
further trouble ir this matter, which has |
ceased to concern you, shall explain !
that Miss Dellamere and have plighted |
our troth to each other. subject to Mrs. |
Dellamere's appreciation, said Auberon,
proudly.
And without waiting to watch the tor |
tured face of his vanquished rival. as
the truth struck home, he bent his curly |
head and received Mrs Dellamere's fer
vent kiss upon his brow. then caught |
her In his arms as she sank under the |
wild revu'sion of feeling
As he lore her into the hall he saw Ac- |
,rington striding away in the darkness |
Is if swept by the storm.