The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-12-07

l am not mad; / did not:wish to try oq;
I am jeal Gus Il am betrayed. and shall
revenge my self, no matter what it costs
me, for I care for nothing more In this
world! Go, and guard herl"
BE it so; I CO." said Eugene, with
room and the house; he reached the
Grand Central Depot on foot, and that
night reached Roxbury.
Something terrible there awaited him.
CHAPTER xxxIIL
DESPAIR.
Oscar Slyme had been making the
most of his time, though thus far mat
ters had not turned out as he had expect
ed or desired.
Baffied in bringing about Eugene's ruin
through the Senator. he determined to
separate him from Flors, whom, notwith.
standing what hnd happened, be still
loved as much as he hated Cora Ellist9n.
He dare not 60 to her himself, but
while in the service of the Senator and
Warren Leland he had become acquaint-
ed with connection Of the Leland iami-
", sour minded old maid, who affected
religion and all the virtues, and professed
to despise wealth and the pleasures OF
this world, and who, as matter OF
course, hated her younger. prettier. and
more fortunate relative, Flo, and all her
family with an intense and perfect hatred.
Oscar Slyme knew and understood this
woman thoroughly, and determined to
make her his tool.
He went to her, told his story-a fear
full story it was-and when he saw she
was almost bursting with the information
she had received, suggested that she
should 90 to Roxbury and pey the Le.
lands visit, especially, az he happened
to know, Eugene Cleveland wss out Of
the way.
She jumped at the idea. and the very
next eastern. bound train had her on board
rs passenger. -.
It is almost needless to say that Mrs.
Leland and Flora were greatly sstonished
when informed that their connection,
Miss Phebe Craven, had arrived to pay
them visit. They could not understand
it.. Their intercourse with her had al.
ways been very constrained. Neither
their character nor their religion coin
cided with hers.
After q moments reflection Mrs. Leland
said:
aOf course we must receive her and
treat her we'll. You &c down, Flo, s,A
entertain her for q while. vii! come
later and relieve you"
"Verg we'll, mamma, and with q re-
signed sigh Flo descended to the recep-
tion-room.
At sight of her Miss Phebe started to
her feet, and rushing forward, threw her
arms about her neck and kissed her. Flo,
however, did otreturn this greeting gu te
30 cordially.
In truth, she had no great aversion for
her maiden relative; she simply contented
herself with not liking her; but Phebe
Craven hated Flo intensely, and now she
had found good occasion to prove 1t to
her, and she would not lose it. What
wonder then, she began with kissP
The death Of the Senator had destroyed
all Slsme's high hopes Of the fortune
which he believed he would receive for
opening the eyes of the deluded old man;
and in his rage and dis ppointment he
had been very bitter against Eugene.
Phebe learned through him that Eugene
had been in the chamber Of Mrs. Ellis
ton the night Of the Senator's death. On
this foundation of truth she did not fear
to frame the most odious suspicious; and
Slyme, bafled in his vengeance, and like
her in bis envy, had aided her.
On Flora's invitation, she again took
her seat, but forced her young relative
into chair by her si?e, and still held
her hand.
Soon she affected to make the Sena-
tors death the theme Of conversation
shed few tears over her old acquain-
tance, and kissed Flo's imprisoned hand
win purst OF ,enasluess. 49, -
My poor little thing!" she said to her;
1T is for you also weep, tor you Will
be yet more unhappy than heretofore. ii
that can be possible.
Il do not understand you, Phebe, an
swered Flora, coldly.
IF you do not understand me 80 much
the better" replied Miss Phebe, with
shade of bitterness. Then, after Q mo-
menL's pause: Listen my dear little
thing! this is duty of conscience which
/ comply with. You see, an honest crea-
ture like YOU merits better fate; and
your mother, too, who is also dupe.
This man would deceive the Almighty
himself. In the name OF humanity,
feel bound to ask pardon for both OF
them"
4 repeat. Phebe, that I do not under
stand you" >,
But it il impossible. Flo! Come. 1t is
impossible that ell this time you have
suspected nothing
Il suspect nothing, Phebe Craven,
Flora, because know all.
"Ah! continued Phebe, dryly. If this
be so. have nothing to say. Butthere
are persons, in that case, who can accom-
modate their conscience to very strange
things" -.
since, Miss Craven" said Flora, rising
cbruptly.
4As you wish, my dear; but I speak in
your own in; crest; and shall reproach
myself for no. having spoken to You moe
clearly. I know your husband better
than you will ever know him; and the
other also. Notwithstanding you say 30,
YOU do not know all. let me tell you.
Senator Elliston died verv suddenly. and
after it is your turn! Be very careful.
nv poor child"
%Oh, Phebe Craven!" cried poor Flora,
becoming ghastly pale, I will never see
you again while I live!"
She left the room on the instant, ran
upstairs, and found her mother.
She repeated to her the terrible words
she had Just heard, and her mother tried
to calm her; but she herself was dis
turbed.