Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-02-18
THE CRAVE,
The Secret Of DunPaVen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author OF Faithful Margaret" Etc. Etc


chair, he now Strengthened his tall form,
aud threw back his head with satir.cal
look, which = most disguised his fierce
agitation
@And may one ask ", at power have
in the matter27 demanded he
Tho power of the wronger to make
PREPARATION to the VIZ. nged!" answered
Edgar, sternly. Sol AccrlngtOn, ID is
useless TO maintain any DISCUSSES.
have learned the whole history OF your
dealings with Lord Ineheape and his
unhappy lady; and 1 have come TO you
to entreat you for justice to them
For \ moment IT, seemed as II Ac-
crington must spring upon him, 50 fierce
was the glare of his eyes, as he glow
cred with rage and shame; but he st@rn
ly controlled him eli, and stood white
and mute, with clenched hands and
qnivering pulses, while Edgar went on
speaking.
1T was not Lord Inchcape whotold
me the story; deeply as he has suffered,
know he would perish on the rack be-
fore he would sue your mercy, or allow
you to be sued on his behalf By
strange chance / leaned il, neyerthe-
less, and l call upon you 10 set the wife
right with tho husband. and my Lord
Inchcape right with his colleagues who
doubt his integrity through your
agency"
Accrlngton was too proud to deny; he
saw chat Arden hal 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 ami fro
the only relief he permitted his violent
exeitement-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, il
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 espairingly 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 accuse
tion in public, AccringtOn's chance for
elect on was ruined; nay, his very resi-
dence In Stafford was impossible; for defy
the accuser as he m ght, 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 well as
fear him! Loveday, whom his fierce
heart still pursued with hungering COW
etOusness, while he watched for the op-
pOrtunity 10 pounce u on herl
Would anything induce this foolish
Don Quixote TO be silent2
What did he know?
Col Accrington turned his lowering
eyes upon Arden, and still striding about.
said in hoarse, changed voice:
You have made an astonishing accu-
sation; be good enough to inform me ex-
a. Sly what you refer TOP"
Arden turned from him scOrnfully. He
sew that h meant 10 have recour to
shift and evasion; there was no reaching
his searel conscience
Il appeal to your honor, Col Accring-
ton; act the honest man; do right, though
the heavens should fan, and all righteous
men shall respect YOU" he cred with en-
ergy, striving 10 inspire the WaVerlng
soul that might lack but spark to kin
die it into generosity,
But Accringt0n 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 fer lcious
eyebalrs riveted upon Edgar's, said
slowly.
Listen. my bold mentor. l have per-
mitted you to have your say, because
wanted To catch your game, bat l will
4AA0M Au M1A4 VI III TINS 10 NC ulArLEu
in any other hearing than my own.
utterly decline to discuss my private
affairs with you, or any one else; and l
warn you, that You are meddling in a
matter which may blow you along with
Lord lnchcape, into atoms. The man is
dOting surely, TO set you upon me-"
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 4"
That word shall cost you dear.n said
AccringtOn. paling horribly as the word
"base" fell like ire upon his pride
Sod knows 1 wish il was misapplled.s
exclaimed Arden. coldly Observant OF
him -NOw, sir, let MS TO a more bust
ness-like view of the matter. II you
will do Lord Inchcape justice before the
Lords OF the Oric ntal Mission; l 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, attained for five long
years through no fault of his. What do
you say; shall you be the undisputed
member for Stafford. at the cost of a few
words OF deserved self-blame?n
~NO." Numbered Accrington, writing
beneath the humiliating proposal; @if
be villain as you will have II, am no
mercenary villain; l viii not sell my
honor for anything more material than
revenge. Begone. insulting fool; You
little know the spirit you have reused
Away with you, before l forget my civ
ilization and hOrsewhip you within my
own doOrs@ And he lowered over Ed
gar cOnvulsed with shame and rage.
~Nou refuse my prayer, then?" said
Edgar bitterly; ~and a guiltless man
mmaf gmfFar n Richard Aarrfn q
tons spurious pride! Well. sir, I have
given you your chance; l shall now op-
pose right against your poor craven
might, and see which wins the battle
Good evening, sir; you shall not win the
election this time; I know my people
and am here.
With a low bow he withdrew, and
walked out OF the magnificent residence,
thinking of the tortured cOuntenance of
its proud and guilty owner.
"'rhe game is lostl" he sighed, as he
rode down the fine avenue, ~And must
look for aid"
he went direct to the Pavilion, and
asked for Mrs Dellamere-
She came 70 him smiling, radiant; II
was lovely TO see the peace and gladness
in her eyes
-Loveday is safe home,s she muir.
INJURED, yielding her hand willingly tC
the earnest grasp Of the friend she
trusted wholly; -Auberon and went tC
Silyerstream early this morning and
brought her home before any OF our &C
ouaintances were astir. I really believe
she will escape unharmed; and the wed
ding is to be soon Squire Crecy and his
wife are with US now; they always loved
my girl
Edgar caught at this opportunity
when alone with Mrs Dellamere. 70 ash
for the hfStnrv of Miss Daflau1arafq ad.