The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-02
CHAPTER. XVII.

MY OWN TRUE LOVE,
Leaving my place of concealment,
walked swiftly down the carriage drive
and took up my position near the gates.
I had not long to wait. heard Cas-
coigne's quick military tread upon the
gravel before he came in sight. When
he Was within q couple of yards or SO
stepped out into the moonlight. right in
front of him.
"Ha, Dudley!" he exclaimed, with the
old hearty ring in his voice, as he held
out his hand.
made no attempt to take it. For o
few seconds we looked at each other thus.
What is the matter with you, Jack?"
He put the question with the most inno-
cent air imaginable.
You've come from my house?" said,
significantly.
you've seen my wife?"
.I have"
you don't deny it. then?"
No." he answered, fixing his eyes on
me with a look that I interpreted as one
of cool defiance. And now, perhaps,
you'll let me pass, he added.
The quiet scornfulness of his manner
exasperated me past endurance.
You're devil" cried, with concen-
trated fury, and struck at him-I struck
fair and full at his mocking face.
He parried the blow, however, and be-
fore could help myself his arms were
around me. It was hand-to-hand strug-
muscular of the two, and with shame I
be conquered. He flung me from him
forca that cant ma raplin aoroca
the roadway.
Jack Dudley" said he go home. Ire
quire no explanation from you tonight.
Tomorrow I'll come and demand one."
His assurance petriied me. With a
muttered imprecstion, giddy and still
reeling, turned toward the house.
For hours I walked up and down le-
lore the house that contained the false
woman whom I once believed loved.
If not as yet guilty in act, my wife was
at least morally guilty. Her words had
proved it. had heard her own lips say
she was ready to leave me and 60 with
Gascoigne when and where he wished.
. He had only to come to her, she said.
The villain had got her written promise,
too.
The lights were e1tinguished, the moon
and stars grew dim, biting wind began
to blow.
I stepped in, closed the window and
approached the hearth, where q tire was
still burning.
Weary, miserable, and faint-I had not
tasted food all day. cast myself upon
the couch, and closed my eyes. I could
afford to rest. l knew the worst now.
In an hour or two's time I would leave
my home forever.
A slight sound, a sigh quite near,
reused me, and the soft touch of hand
upon my shoulder thrilled me as could
the touch Of only one woman's hand on
earth. Looking up. I saw Edna Lynton
bending over me and holding toward me
q glass of wine. Her sweet eyes were
full of tenderness and pity. An angel
had come to minister to me, whose very
presence calmed the tempest of my soul
and brought me peace. She looked gen.
tie, sweet, and timorous as q dove.
drank the wine gratefully, gave back
the empty glass, and, at a sign from her,
lay down again upon the couch. She
turned the shaded lamp upon the table,
stirred the fire. then moved toward the
door. ~ must go now and say you have
come in. will return" she said, in an
swer to the unspoken question of my
eyes. know not the length of time that
intervened. When she came again, I
extended my hand to her, mutely implor-
ing sympathy.
She understood. She sat down and
slid her hand in mine. At first it trem-
bled just little, like the futtering of a
frightened bird, then it lay still. strove
to conceal the rapture with which this
voluntary act Of hers inspired me, and
closed my eyes lest she should read in
them the truth. My heart was beating SO
that my one fear was that she should
hear it. I could have laip thus for hours.
Tor wears, Tor all eternity, II seemed To
me. / had no intention of deceiving
her, but know that she believed I slept.
Poor Jack" she murmured. And the
very sound Of the words was In itself
caress.
When thought could sufficiently con:
troll my feelings to look calmly at her, l
opened my eyes.
Are you rested? Can you ilsten 70
something have to say?" she aeked with
the same tender intonatlon Win Wnlcn
she had said Poor jack"
/ pressed her hand; I still would moi
trust myself to speak. She continued:
4 want you to be very quiet, very calm,
and answer me some questions. Fol
more than four hours you have been wan
dering about outside. With Mrs. Dud'