The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

sounded strangely In the vast space OF
the hall, where all else was silent
@Let US go home, madam, he said.
I'VE must strike the balance OF our &C
counts to-day" :,
He opened the heavy oaken door and
held it open for her to pass. His glaring
eyes seemed to pierce through her. A
moment she hesitated.
@Why do you not gop Are you afraidP'
he asked, sneeringly.
She was afraid. His outward calm
ness, which she knew was only the cloak
of suppressed rage, terrified her more
than the widest exhibition of wrath
could have done. But in response to his
sneer she passed out of the door with o
defiant look 81 him.
he followed behind her. Soon they
found themselves in the wide courtyard
of the castle. Silently they passed
through the great gate, over the draw
bridge, and walked down the road to-
ward their hotel. He did not offer her
his arm. Without speaking word they
walked on.
Within twenty minutes they had
reached the hotel. Ralph opened the
door to his room, and, with q silent mo-
ton, invited her to enter.
She sat down in an armchair. He
stood at the window, whence he could
scan her features.
sYou believe me to be wealthy, do you
not, madame" he asked, after pause
of some moments.
She was surprised at this question.
She had feared very different begin
ming Of the interview.
u have reason to believe 80, she an
swered.
sYou had reason, but let me inform!
you that you were mistaken.
He stepped to the table and wrote
something on a slip of PAPER, which be
handed to her.
"This is the greater part Of my earthly
possessions" he said 3You may
keep IT."
Mrs Warringham threw glance at
the paper he held before her. II was 9
check for thousand dollars She did
not receive it, and he laid 1t on the
table beside her.
AWhen married you," she replied, II
was told that you were in the possession
OF large fortune"
She was puzzled by her husbands be-
havior. Could it be possible that he
should simulate poverty in order to get
rid Of her the chesper2
my mother had large fortune. She
has died and disinherited me, because
married you," Ralph continued.
@You never told me about these cir
cumstances."
3Dare you reproach me with it?" he
asked fercely. Here was the weak spot
in his armor, and he was naturally irT1t
able on that point.
Il do not" Lucy replied.
3You had better not!" he exclaimed.
His rage, so long suppressed, now burst
its bounds. woman, you have be-
trayed me from the very first moment OF
our acquaintance! You entered our
union with a lie on your lips and treason
in your heart! You are an actress, in
deedl A glorious part you have acted,
and was fool enough to be duped!"
His frame shook with violent excite
ment Lucy sat silent and pale, op-
pressed with the consciousness OF her
guilt
sAh, Lucy" Ralph continued, in a
softer voice, "why did you betray me?
! loved you 80 deeply! For you gave
up fortune and family, and yet you have
betrayed mel"
Lucy was still silent. Ralph turned
his face away, and when he looked at
her again his expression was stern and
determined.
1--WE must make an end Of II, he said
sThere can be nothing in common be-
tween US after what has happened AS
I said, I am poor man. Take this
check. It is all I can give you"
He paused, but added, after few mo-
ments, bitterly:
II suppose you will not suffer want
You have found one who will take care
Of you.
Lucy made no reply. What could she
answer him?i Was not all he had said
true?
aThat is all that need be said" Ralph
continued, after o pause. u hope we
may never meet again Live happy, II
you can"
With these words he strode out OF the
door,.
Lucy sat for long time in that same
chair, silent, motionless, fearless
The first part of the terrible task
Ralph had imposed upon himself was
done. Now for the second.
The Doctor almost felt fierce pleas
ure at the thought of being revenged
on the destroyer of his happiness. BE
was determined that the Count should
not escape alive. He rejoiced at the
thought that he was an experienced
pistol-shot
Among the gentlemen Of the city
whose acquaintance Dr. Warringham
had made was young physician, with
whom he had become quite intimate.
This gentleman, whose name was DR..
Braurfeld, be asked to act as his second.
He told him his story, although it cos,
him considerable pain to do so. DEa
Brsunfeld agreed with him that duel
was inevitable, and declared his readi.
ness to render hs friend the required
services.
sBut, remember" Ralph admonished
him, at is to be serious affair. Either
of US must not survive.
slave you any particular wishes In
regard to the arrangements" DR.. Braun
fed asked him. No, he had none; he
would leave everything to the discretion
Of his friend.
lro BE Continued
Turn Of the immigration Tide.
Representative McGann, Chairman OF the
p ~ Tho ponaa nf ReOre-