The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1892-02-04

said. sWhat are we poor simple-hearted
women in the hands of specious mis-
creant whose boast is that he can use all
mankind through their weaknesses?
And my beautiful Merrion has her heart
ache, too! No. no. my child, there is
nothing to be ashamed Of; there are
few true-hearted women who have not
loved"
@But have they loved unsought?"
sobbed Merton.
aYou are. l think, mistaken in that.
said Mrs. Dellamere. generously hiding
her keen disappointment 81 have
fancied many times of late that Auberon
loved you He does not love my poor
Loveday. am sure of that"
@You did not see him IS saw him
when first we missed Loveday and the
Colonel" said Merton, despairingly.
Such grief and self-reproach 1 never
saw on human face"
sHe was distressed because he had
not been true to his trust, I" suggested
Mrs. Dellamere. though her hopes rose.
~Ah. madam. simple chagrin never
wore such an aspect" mosned Merton.
HE said he would never return without
her-or Accrington; love and Jealousy
breathed in every accent. Ay. and
they are worthy of each Other!" cried
she, nobly; and if he loves her. will
pray heaven that she may love him."
~Grest heart!" murmured Mrs. Dol
lamere, with emotion. And she pressed
one of her rare kisses upon Merrion's
brow.
1t was agreed between them that
nothing was to be said about their anxi-
ETY., and they appeared at the hunt din
ner with not a cloud on their serenity.
Accrington had not been seen at the
hunt, so that the continued absence of
Miss Dellamere and Auberon Crecy,
though gayly observed, was not con-
nected with his name.
As time wore on, Mrs. Crecy's anxiety
about the absence of Auberon obliged
Mrs. Dellamere to confide the matter to
her, when her apprehensions rose to
such pitch that Edgar perceived her
misery, and connected it with the theme
of their late conversation.
Fearing the worst from Richard Ac-
crington, he got the two ladies apart for
q moment, and implored them to make
him of use if Miss Delamere's safety
was in question.
The terrified ladies looked beseech-
ingly at each other; should they trust
him? oh, yes, yes-if truth lived on
earth, surely it lived in Edgar Arden;
and, too, did he not possess mysterious
power over the enemy?
So they confied all to him, and the re-
suit was that he started off with fresh
horse to aid Auberon Crecy.
All this time the honest squire had
been kept in ignorance of the trouble;
for his place was obligatory at the head
OF the table, and he could not have dis
guiSed his uneaSineSS for moment.
1t was trying to see his big, beaming
eyes travelling round and round the
table every few minutes in search of the
fairy LOveday and his idolized Auberon;
but he was slow of speech, and Mrs.
Dellamere was always ready with sally
In time to repress his loud inquiries
Then came the Dance and then indeed
the bright queen of Joy was missed; but
some subtle spirit set hint circulating
that Mamma Dellamere did not care to
commOnize her daughter by granting
the same company two appearances in
one day; so that little LOveday was very
likely at home, dressed in gir.ish cam
brio and romping with her dog, instead
of monopo!izing all the eligible partners;
and though the gentlemen might muir
muir against madam's policy, the lad .es
her maternal Tenderness; and |
made the best of Loveday's absence.
But where was Auberon Crecy? That |
wa' the next query.
"YOu know that Edgar Arden is re- |
turned?" said Merton Rae, very impress |
sively.
Eyes. was he not at dinner? What |
then?"
"Deperd upon it, he has carried Au-
boron Crecy off with him for q chat: you |
know they always were wonderful |
friends. Oh, We sha'nt see AuberOn |
Crecy here this evening; it is not every |
day that an adored friend comes home"
So that explanation was accepted also:
and busy rumor had nothing as yet to
insnuate concern ng Mss Dellanere's |
affairs.
The hunt dance ended, Dormant was
left to repose; and still Auberon had not
returned.
Mrs. Dellamere went home to the Pa
viliOn, hoping against hope that she
might find LOveday there; but no one
greeted her save her own sleepy maid,
whom she hastily sent to bed before she
could observe that Miss Dellamere was
not with her mother.
And then the unhappy lady drew her
,ashmeres about her again, and stole
outside to endure her wild terror alone.
Richard Accrington had taken his re-
'enge on her for her early sin. Alas!
ne had known where to strike to wound
Ter MORALLY
Laura Dellamere's proud head bowed
lnder the blow: her heart bled for her
oh Of no fo11 |
# Accrington was res eaied to her, she
knew him now, merciless, vindictiye,
atanic: ard this man held her darling
-oveday at his mercy!
The night was cold and bleak, the sv-
niue where she had paced was white
With the hail that had fallen few hours
arlier; pining and bitter wind moaned
through the trees.
She felt no cold; like spirit she lott
red in the lime walk, weeping, praying.
istening with strained ear, agonizing
With breaking heart-a mother bereaved
4 her child.