The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-02
The Story Of a Hasty Marriage and
Its Tragic Sequel.
BY ERNST BRUNcKEN.
.Aut1,or of 'sIhe Btbliomantoc's Crime" !"
"a Terrible Secret" etc., etc
CHAPTER ~.
MISS LUCY LYON.

of his club. Three or 1opr Otner Sentie-
men were engaged in the same pleasant
occupation.
he was not in the best Of humor, for
his acquaintances took pleasure IN an
noying him by all sorts Of illusions to
the latest bit of scandalous gossip, bis
brothers intended marriage, OF course.
His annoyance was the greater be-
cause he was well aware that some OF
these impertinent scofers were rather
Intimately acquainted with his future
sister-in-law. He would have told his
brother this fact, well knowing that such
would be the best means Of producing .
rupture between the actress and her un-
suspecting lover. But he remembered
that he had an interest in encouraging
Ralph's foolish course. Therefore he
kept his silence, but his annoyence was
not the less great.
Jack Spofford invited him for ride
down the avenue, which led by the thea
ter, and Walter consented.
The two gentlemen accordingly walked
over to Jacks residence, which was but
. short way distant and Mr.. Spoford
ordered two horses saddled. a quarter
of an hour later both were seen riding
down the boulevard that serves gentle
men as place to show their horses and
ladies to show themselves.
Both knew almost everybody that fre-
quented the avenue at this hour, and
everybody knew them. So there was no
end of salutations and brief converse
tions.
"There is your brother and Miss Lyon, +"
Jack remarked, pointing at them with
his riding whip HWho is that other gen.
tleman that is with them?"
Walter bit his lips. Was he to hear OF
nothing but Miss Lyon to-day?
u do not know who he is" he an
swered @Let Us find out"
The trio soon met the two young men,
who saw that the unknown was a man
of rather distinguished but foreign ap-
pearance.
: @Ah, Mr.. Warringham, Mr.. Spoford,
how fortunate we are to meet you!" the
lady exclaimed, in her lively manner, as
the two young men approached. They
checked their horses and dotfed their
hats -"
eeaAre you going to be at the theater
tonight" the actress ratified on. aThe
Doctor is going to give Us the loyeliest
little supper at the Mazarin, and want
you both to be there. The gentlemen
are not acquainted, see? Count Won
Hohenfels, of the German legation in
Washington-Mr. Spofford, Mr.. Walter
Warringham."
The gentlemen so introduced by elec-
tricity, as it were, bowed
@The wishes of beauty and loveliness
are commands" said Spoford, gallantly
replying to Miss Lyons invitation. 1--WE
shall be delighted to be Of the party"
The Doctor frowned. In the new
ardor Of his love he could not brook any
one to pay compliments to his lady.
- Walter consented with somewhat
constrained manner He did not care to
meet Miss Lyon oftener than was abso-
lutely necessary. But just at present he
saw no way to excuse himself.
:. Il like you, Mr.. Spofford," Miss
Lyon said, with the charming sincerity
of the stage insenue. "You know how
to pay such nice compliments-much
better than the Doctor here"
She touched her lover lightly with the
silver handle of her riding whip. He
replied only with smile. If it had not
been for the presence Of the others he
would have told her:
@That is because Jack does not love
you as do True love does not fatter."
sLet us all ride home together" the
actress continued. at is getting late
and my maid is waiting to arrange my
toilet for the performance
The little cavalcade rapidly rode away
in the direction of the city, Miss Lyon
leading, with the Doctor at her right
and Jack Spofford at her left side.
Walter followeS with the foreign noble
nan.
An hour later the four gentlemen sat
In box at the theater and Miss Lyon
was on the stage.
Ralph was not as attentive to the play
In fact he was too much occupied with
his thoughts to observe what was going
on around him. He did not notice the
curious glances Of the audience that
wandered from the actress to him, and
were accompanied by smiles and whis-
pert
Walter, however, noticed these mani
festations Of curiosity, and his irritation
grew.
Ralph was pondering over his situa-
ton since o breach with his mother be-
came inevitable. In the morning he
had had conversation with Miss Lyon
that troubled him.
He had told her what had occurred
between him and his mother, and she
had made light of it. He had not con-
sidered it necessary to tell her about his
apprehensions in reference to disin-
heritance, but had vague feeling that
such disclosure would have consider
able influence on the feelings Of Miss
Lyon.
This vague feeling was what troubled
him. It seemed like faithlessness on
his part to have even the slightest fear
about his iancee's sincerity.
There were other things that troubled
his mind They had agreed that Miss
Lyon should leave the stage after her
present engagement was over, and that
they then should be married in quiet
manner. Till that time the fact of the
coming wedding should not be officially
announced. But he was still at loss
what they should do then. 1t all de-
pended upon the question whether he
should be obliged 70 rely on his pro-
fess!on for subsistence.
He would have liked to see his fancee
restrict the free intercourse with gentle
men to which she was accustomed. 1t
was only with some hesitancy that he
had consented to arrange for the supper
to which Miss Lyon had invited the
German count and the two young men
they had met on the avenue. He would
have preferred to sup alone with her.
All these Irritating matters kept his
mind occupied during the performance.
After the close Of the play the whole
party repaired to the hotel, where sup