The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-10-19
BETRAYED;
A DARK MARRIAGE
MORN.
A Romance of LoUe, Intrigue ana
Crime.
BY MRS. ALICE P. CARR1SToN.
CHAPTER XvI.-IContinued.)

He grew very restless. The whole thing
was preying upon his mind:
He decided that he must have some oc-
cupation. Young Belmont and others
of his acquaintance had gone to Con-
gress.
His father suggested that it would be
good idea for him to follow their e1-
ample.
The suggestion struck him favorably;
but there was one great drawback.
The member for the district N which
they resided had too strong hold on his
constituency to be easily shaken of.
One morning, when he happened to oe
in his fathers private room at the benk,
and while he was considering the matter,
an elderly gentleman entered and asked
to see the President.
Warren Immediately arose to withdraw.
Mono exclaimed the stranger; don't
go, sir. beg. My business is not OF
private nature. merely called to ask
question CT two about the Sedley farm-a
most excellent piece of property in Rox
bury One of my constituents is anxious
to buy or lease it. and knowing was to
be in New York to-day, requested me to
call here about the matter.
THAT gentleman is the owner of the
farm" smiled the bank president, nod
ding toward Warren.
You, sir? thought"
"It is nv SON, sir, Mr.. Warren Leland, :"
explained his father. The property was
left him by his grandfather"
Eyes, yes; his mothers father, James
Sedley. ] knew him very we'll; and I
knew your mother, too, young man, long
before she became Mrs. Leland. My
name is Sweetland-Ea,erson Sweetland."
"Ah!" exclaimed the elder Leland; "the
member of Congress from the Third Con-
necticut District"
Exactly. sir; but for not longer than
the present term, hope. I am heartily
tired of it, and am anxious to spend a
year or two abroad"
"Well," smiled Warren, II suppose it's
easy enough to find successor?"
Mot so easy as you think, there are so
many qualifications required. What
pity you are not citizen of Connecticut,
Judging from your looks, you're Just the
man We want, provided your politics are
all right.
"No trouble on that head!' exclaimed
the elder Leland, quickly; ''they are the
came as your own, Mr.. Sweetland."
"Then why not think Of it?" asked the
Congressman. Il have year longer to
serve; that will give you time to gain
residence in the district. You can live in
your own house, and turn farmer, yon
know" Then with comical look and
Good gracious! What am I saying:
Advising you to come up and live on the
Sedley farm when I am here to buy OF
lease that very farm for friend"
Don't let that thought disturb you,
smiled Warren. Il certainly should moi
think of selling, and am hardly pre-.
pared to consider an offer for lease.
Then what do you say to the othe,
plan? You mustn't be surprised that ]
take so much interest in your mothers
son. She was what We call ght smart
girl, and always liked her.
Il am much more inclined to consider
that. proposition favorably," responded
Warren.
We'll, then, I'll help you"
But won't it be uphill work to prepare
myself, get acquainted, and be able to
8Oh, dear no; not with my help, and
the help of one other party"
And who may that other party be, If ]
may ask?"
-Of course you may. It's Nathan Met.
calf, the OF. Gle of Roxburv. the most i'm
portnnt man in the district, though not es
wealthy as some others"
Nathan Metcalf," repeated Warren,
ss though to fix the name in his mind.
Yes; and my first advice to you, young
man, is 60 and live on your farm, and
conquer Nathan Metcalf."
TO do that I must know something
about him. What kind of man is Mr..
Metcalf?"
He is a clever fe,low-a very clever
fellow, indeed, and all. powerful in his
neighborhood, as I have said. He is
original, as you will see, and we'll worth
studying. Then there's his daughter-a
charming young woman. tell you, my
friend, you must please them, for Met
calf is really the master Of the district.
Why,'I had to secure his friendsh p, or
. else, upon my word would have been
elected to remain at home"
But, sir, what shall do to please this
powerful ,man2"
You must see him. He is, as I tell
you, q great oddity. He has never been
in Washington; he has horror of New
York and our other large cities. 1t only
needs little tact to hatter his views on
these points. We always need little
tact in this world, young man"
"Ah, the deuce! You must please the
daughter also. He worships her, and she
manages him completely, although he
grumbles little sometimes"
And what sort Of o woman is she?"
"A splendid woman, a glorious woman
"a widow; somewhat pious, but very
we'll informed-a woman of great merit,
I assure you"
But what course must take to please
this lady?"
What course? By Jove, young man,
you ask @ great many questions. am
green as grass with them always. It is
1hing I cant understand; but you, my
young friend, you have little need to be
Instructed in that matter. You can't fail
to please her; you have only to make
yourself agreeable. But you will know
how to do it-you will conduct yourself
perfectly, am sure.
les, captivate Metcalf and his daugh-
ter. These are my first instructions. And
hold! to please them both pay some at
tention to Miss Lester"
And who is Miss Lester?"
An unfortunate young lady. residing
with them at present I can't tell you any
more about her just now. But mind! it
will please them if You pay her some at
tention."
Mr.. Sidney Leland now asked the Con-
eressman how long he proposed to remain
IN the CITY, and on learning that he did
not expect to leave until the next day in
sisted on his taking dinner with them and
remaining over night.
Mr.. Sweetland consented. and the con-
versation thus broken off was renewed in