The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-12-14
CHAPTER XxXVI.
CONCLUSION.

Cora Elliston took backward step, as
her eyes fell upon Warren Leland, whose
presence there she had not calculated
upon, while her companion started in
dlsmay as be recognized the tslr girl he
had claimed as his sister and whom ne
had so deeply wronged.
You here?" cried Flora, indignation
momentarily surpressing her grief.
And why not?" returned the other,
almost inst ntly regaining that wonderful
self possession which had always char
acterlzed her. =,
aWhy not. indeed? I ought not I'd
have asked that question OF one like you
who dares anything. What is your
pleasure?"
Before replying, the wicked woman
cast quick glance upon her companion;
Cora Elliston was quick-witted, and
the look was revelation TO her.
She had never before seen Mildred, but
sho intuitively knew that the pale, trem.
bling girl upon whose face the eyes Of
Slyme " ere fixed, could be none other
than the one whom she had so cruelty
separated from her newly welded hus.
band.
The two wives of Eugene Cleveland had
met; the secret had been dis closed; there
could be no doubt of it.
The plan viii h she and her guilty as.
sociate had agreed upon was destroyed
But Cora was q woman of great re.
sources, and surprise like this could
not discomft her.
Il have no pleasure, replied she, with
a calm dignity. my business here is OF
most painful nature"
"Have done with preliminaries, spoke
up Warren impstiently. ITO the business
which brings you here"
.sIery we'll, sir. will speak, and
without reserve. have come here tt
make public fearful and long bidder
wrong" -
ny5u might better have left that tas1
TO others" said Flora, scornfully.
"Save your reproaches. l will not
affect to misunderstood you. / learned
last night that vile slGn5s-ers bave been
irving to sally my fair fame. Such
charges are false, infamously falseF'
Il ought not to have expected con-
fessiou. replied Flora. What hidden
wrong do YOU seek to make public,
then?"
when Eugene Cleveland m rried you
he had wife already.
-Iknow it. There she stands.
Cora locke in the direction Indicated
uttered an exclamation OF well-1e'gneo
surprise.
She started forward, out repellant
gesture, and look of disgust on the part
of Mildred, repTessed her.
You knew very we'll that she was alive
all the time, said Warren, rather warmly.
WAS it not your tool, Slyme, there, who
pretended to be her brother and pre-.
sented proof of her desth?"
Yes, but not with my knowledge, Tar
less at my instigatioD."
AT whose, then?"
Oscar Slyme was working uuder the
orders Of Eugene Cleveland. " Ten min
utes after he was married he received
letter from my husband notifying hiIl
that as bridal present he would make
him q partner in the publishing house
where he was employed. This changed
his ideas at once. He saw that he could
look higher. Excusing himself. he
sought Sfyme and set plot in motion
which sent Mildred fly ng from the city
that very night. Is not that true, MIR.
Slyme?"
The beautiful woman raused, laid her
white hand upon her heaving bosom and
turned her dark eyes, 30 1ull OF Wltcnery
and fascination, upon the face of the e1-
secretary
Slyme hesitateu . moment. rnat ne
had lost all chance of gaining the love OF
Flora Cleveland he fully realized. He
wavered for moment. The eyes of the
siren seemed burning their way into his
very soul. An instant later his resolu-
ton was taken.
aThe lady is right" he faltered. Il
hate to acknowledge it, but l acted for
Cleveland in the matter. He held whip
over my head, an old folly of which he
mad gained knowledge, and l was forced
to perform the dastardly part.
And you we're the catch he bad In his
mind" added Mrs. Elliston. speaking to
Flora, and estowing glowing look Of
gratitude upon Slv1ne.
1T is false!" cried Flora. Your wiles
have led Eugene to wrong me, but he was
never capable of such perfdy, such in
fanny"
Thank Godl'
These words in fervent tones, u-ed
every one present start of surprise.