Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-08-24
BETRAYED
--OH--
A DARK MARRIAGE
MORN.
A Romance of LoUe, Intrigue ana
Crime
BY MRS. ALICE P. CARRISTON.
BY MRS. ALICE P. CARRISTON.
CHATlEh y iIs
DISHONORED.

The President OF the Atlantic NatlOnat
Bank, in which Eugene Cleveland had
been assistant bookkeeT er, and In which
Raw Fielding was sti l employed, was
Sidney Leland. Esquire, near nelghpor
of the Hon. Sherwood Elllston, ana
very wealthy and important parsonage, IN
deed.
He had married young, and had two
orovn-up ch1lGren- a son and daughter.
The son, Warren Leland, was not far from
twenty-eglt YET RS Of age. The daughter
was some years ounger.
On leaving his uncle's house that event
ful afternoon Eugene walked slowly to-
ward the next corner, lingering for stage
TO oveltake him.
AS he arrived opposite the Leland man
sion the door opened and young man
issuel forth. He was not only striklngy
handsome but very styl sh-looklDg, and
had that indescribable air of the elite
which, without words, proclaimed to all
TIE worl bow exceedingly well satisfied
he WIS with himself and his position IN
life.
An unaccountable feeling of aversion
seized Eugene, ard he experienced
sensation such as one is said to feel when
an enemy walks upon his grave.
Warren Leland, he muttered, as he
passed on. Wonder what he's up to now?
Some deviltry, I'll be bound.
Leland, after nod of recognition,
walked slowly down the street.
Presently cab approached. lie sig
nal d the driver, and, as it drew up to the
sidewalk, said:
Grand Central Depot" and sprang in
On reaching the depot, he bought
ticket for Bedford Park, and Little later
landed at that station.
He made his way 10 one OF the most
attractive reefs of the village on 1oot'
and presently stopped b TO gate upon
which a gentleman, a li;tie older than
himself, was leaning.
This man, Hobart Brownell, had been
his classmate and chum at Yale. He loved
Leland, aud trusted him.
He had been poor, but Low was a sue
cessful civil engineer, and likely III the
near future 10 be very rich.
His family consisted Of his wife, very
beaut full la ~ some years younger than
himself, and her mother.
Leland, since leaving college, had lost
sight of Blownel, and had only recently
met him again and become acquitted with
his wife.
But since bo lad first seen her, bis
visits to Bedford Park had been quite
freouent. and had re suited i'll seriously
disturbing Amy BroWnelfs reOce of mind.
At first she had only toen dazzled by
he elegant Warren Leland; but soon,
without herself really knowing it, this
nan had taken possession or ber very
soul.
He, seeing clearly the situation, was
little disquieted at the course things were
.aking. and made some slight effort tt
divert it.
But men. who in fencing wish to spare
:heir adversary, often find habit to(
strong for them, and lunge home III spite
of themselves.
Besides. he begantO be really lnter reste'
in Amv Browuell-in her unsOphlstcate(
WAYS. at once artful and simple, PROVOKING
and timid, suggestive and retlcent-n
short, cha'lulng
And so it was he was now standing a
the gate facing her hush nd.
NV friend" said the latter, -as you ar
hero YOU can 10 me a great favor. A tel
erram calls me suddenly TO Chicago.
must 20 on the instant. The ladies' ar
feeling quite blue; pray stay and din
WITH tGem I can't tell what the deuc
ais my wife. Size is weeping half IT,
time NV mother in-law has headache
Yonr presence will cheer them. SO stay
beg of you.
Leland refused, hesitated, male objec
tions. and. of course, consented. lie wen
in. and his fliend presented him to tn
ladies. whom the presence of the uneX
rected guest seemed TO cheer a little
BIowneil started for the fepot, after re
ceivi. n from his wife an embrace nor
ferveDt than usual.
The dinpec was really cheerful.
Tn the atmosphere was that subtle es
sence of coming danger of which botl
Leland and Amy felt the eXhilara ing IN
fuence Their cxcitation, as yet innocent
emploved itself in those lively sallles-
those brilliant combats at the BARRIERS
that ever precede the more serious con
hict
About 9 oc ock the headache Of Amy
mother became moro violent. she Gle
cIared she could endure it nc longer, an
must retire to her chamber Lelan
wished to withdraw, but the elder jao
insisted he should wait until 1t was tim
for the next train.
"Iet nv daughter amuse you with som
music until then" she added.
] eft alone with her guest, the younge
lady seemed embarrassed.
what shall play for your" she asked
in a constrained voice, taking her seat a
the iNnO.
"Oh, anything. Play a waltz, anSwere
Leland, absentlv.
The waltz finished, an awkward sllenc
ensued. To break it she arose hesltatln9
". then clasping her hands together e!
claimed:
at seems to me there is a storm CON
;oo 10 Won not think SOP"
She approached the widow, opened l
and stepTe out on the veranda
In q second Leland was by her side.
The night was beautifully clear. 81
fore them stretched the somber shadow
the trees, while nearer trembling rays
moonlight sept upon the lawn.
Their trembling hands met ana 1or
momeu did not separate.
Amy" whispered the young man Ill
low. broken voice. She shuddered IT
pulsed the arm e passed round her, nj
hastily re- entered the room.
Leave NE, 1 pray YOU" she crle'
with an inn e nous gesture OF her han'
IS she sank ~ on the sofa AID buried n
fa in her bands
Of cour-e ] eland did not obey. 1
seated himself by her.
In little while Amy BrowneI aWol
from her trance. r.,
How bitter vas that awakening! 81
measured at a first glance the depta
the awful abyss into which she had SUI
denly PLUNGED. Her husband. her mothe
,vbi,1a1 rOund l.