The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-10


it contained, written with pencil in ap-
parent haste, were these:
Mrs. Dudley wishes me to join the din
ner party this evening. What shall /
do? Please tell the bearer Yes or No.
I looked at the stolid features Of the
housekeeper, who had brought the note,
wondering how much intelligence might
dwell beneath that stern exterior, but ]
might as we'll have tried to see through g.
stone wall.
Tell Miss Lynton-7-" But thsro I
stopped.
An emphatic mo" struggled for utter
ance, but made no sound. Had I said
that word the whole tenor Of the future
would have been changed-much evil
perhaps averted. But the pleasant fumes
OF the rarely INDUCED In cigarette were
stealing over my senses. I took another
Whit, and said: Say to Miss Lynton-
yes Most certainly 'Yes,'" repeated
by way of making the assurance doubly
sure, then sprang into the saddle and was
gone.
NV evil temper had vanished; my spir-
its rose like magic. felt e1ultant, with
out assigning cause; reckless, without
inquiring Of what.
After putting many miles between me
and Langdale Grange drew rein in
sequestered lane, assured myself was
unobserved, and took from my breast
pocket the little penciled note. A smile
came to my lips, sun-ray seemed to
warm my heart as Ire-read it. held the
paper tenderly that she had touched. My
eyes dwelt on every well-known character
that formed each word; then-not in the
mad heat of passion, but humbly, rever-
emily, as though it were memento that
had come to me from the dead-I pressed
the paper to my lips.
When I returned from that ride it was
dark. The clock over the Grange stables
struck seven.
Dinner was to be at half past.
Feeling guilty and contrite, I made as
hasty toilet as possible and repaired to
the drawing-room in the hope of finding
my wife alone Hawks was there, how
ever, bending over her and fastening
bracelet; Edna Lynton sat on low seat
near, turning over the leaves of an album.
Il know am late. Forgive me, said
frankly, going up to Georgit; thus adher-
ing closely to the line Of conduct had
laid down.
"All right, jack" she answered care
lessly, without looking at me, then
laughed out merrily at something Hawks
was saying.
Edna, raising her eyes, gravely return
ed my bow, and at that moment DR.. Gas
coigne was announced felt his advent
boon. He came forward, looking bright
and CHEEKY; shook hands warmly with
George and myself, and seemed to bring
Whit of fresh, pure air with him. He
dc fN 7
mentioned Hawks by name.
I'VE are all friends here, he said, and
held his hand to the younger man. The
dinner-gong sounded; he offered his arm
to George.
How we'll you look, Mrs. Dudley I
heard him say as I passed to lead the way
with Edna.
Yes, George looked we'll, and splen-
didly handsome in her new black dress,
glittering with jet, yet I knew that the
light touch of the small hand resting on
my arm thrilled me in way my wife's
gorgeous beauty could not do. Hawks
kept up fire of lively banter behind us,
but was silent; my tongue seemed tied.
When We seated ourselves round the din
ing table I felt conscious Of one pres
ence only, and that was Ednas. It was
So "Ouock4 ul o Lh1AS IAtot ohO ohou1o oo
80 near! The soft folds of her white
dress touched me. At her throat she
wore little bunch of violets; their per-
fume seemed to fill the air. How fond
she used to be of violets in the days gone
by!
How it might have been without those
soul l-bewildering violets can not say, but
as it was they did for me completely. A
wave of intense feeling swept over me-a
revelation was at hand. was beginning
to see the wretched, bare, most miserable
truth.
Great God! Had not only ceased to
love my wife-had I, in fact, never loved
her; but been the slave Of mad, infatu.
sted passion that had burnt itself out al
ready2 Was Edna-who had been my
first love-my only true love still?
Jack, DR.. Gascoigne is speaking to
you"
ITO BE CONTINUED