The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-09
From Sin toCont1itiion:
Lucy WaElilglans Sacrifice.
Tho Story Of q Hasty Marriage and
:s>3t-s Its Tragic Sequel.
BY ERNST BRUNCKEN,
.author Of "The Bibltomu1aaGc's Crime"
., 81 Terrible Secret" etc., etc.
2 : CHAPTER VI.
AN UNHAPPY SUMNER.

= sAWfulSpretty girl, tnlS nItie dattle,
honest Jack muttered to himself, as he
was ssurely sauntering down the street
toward the club house. SBlonde hair,
blue eyes, plump fgure-just my taste. !"
He merrily twirIed his cane around, and
after few minutes surprised himself BY
whistl.ng the latest popular tune. Jack
had never before found himself OF mu-
sical turn OF mind. = 4 :.
he went to the club, took paper,
lighted his cigarette, and began to read.
But ever and anon his thoughts wan
dered from the newspaper to pretty Hat
tie Beckford.
Strange what change the blue eyes
of girl can effect in man But an;
hour ago Jack had been as oppressed in
spirit as he could we'll be, and now he
felt IS light-hearted as schoolboy, with
out knowing why.
He looked up from his paper when he
heard the voice of Walter Warringham,
who had stepped behind Jacks chair and
laid his hand familiarly upon his shoul
der as he said:
~Hello, old man! You're looking very
we'll to-day. How would game OF bill
jards suit you?"
At the sight OF Ralph's brother 1t oo-
CURED to Jack that Walter probably did
not yet know what had occurred earlier
In the day. He thought It his duty to
inform him Of it. Walter replied with 9
dippant jest that disguised and puzzled
Jack. He could not understand how
any one could treat so serious matter
70 frivolously.
Walter Warringham had the reputa-
ton OF playing an excellent game OF
billiards, but this afternoon he did not
prove his title to such fame. he made
several shots 80 poor that Jack looked at
him in astonishment
The fact was that his thoughts we're
not concentrated on the little ivory balls
he was chasing over the green cloth.
He was thinking Of the consequences OF
Ralph's departure Was his mother
very much incensed, and would she OF
her own accord do what be 50 ardently
Wished-make o new will to the eI-
clusion of the disobedient son? Or,
would it be necessary to influence her In
that direction? Walter determined to
assure himself as soon as possible as to
his prospects.
AS soon as he could disengage himself,
he went home and at once called on his
mother. He found her in q great state
of excitement, which she did not sue
ceed in concealing under mask of cold
ness and dignity
sHave you heard Of the pretty esca-
paies Of your brother?" she asked him,
as soon as he had entered her boudoir.
Eyes, mamma; and Lean feel nothing
but indignation at Ralph's outrageous
conduct;" he hastened to reply.
Mrs Warringham was not disposed to
converse much on the painful subject
She walked about restlessly, looking at
o picture on the wall here and stopping
before mirror there. Her excitement
seemed as yet to prevent clear collec-
ton of ideas After while Walter asked,
with q sneer:
sand when will we have the honor OF
seeing your charming daughter-in-law?"
Mrs. Warringham stopped in her per-
smbulation in front Of her son, and said,
with sharp voice:
II don't suppose Ralph expects to see
that wife of his treated by me IS a
daughter-in-law." .!
Walter observed soon that it was un-
necessary to add fuel to the fame Of his
mothers wrath against Ralph he
thought 1T prudent to refrain from al
iuding himself to the object Of his de-
sires. The following morning he was
xratified to learn that Mrs. Warringham
had sent for lawyer. The will was
evidently to be changed, and the amiable
brothers heart rejoiced.
Mrs. Warringham was closeted with
the lawyer for a. long time. Neither
Walter nor Miss Beckford was invited
10 attend the conference, but the foot
man and the ladies' maid were summon
I'd into the room at the same time, pre-
sumably in order to put their names as
witnesses to document. ~
That night Mrs Warringham went to
bed at an unusually early hour.
my health is not as it used to be-"
she remarked to Hattie as she was about
TO retire. Miss Beckford had herself
observed that her aunt's features showed
IN unusual pallor, and she even believed
she saw In them traces OF wrinkles which
had not been visible before.
The spring was nearing its close and
the season imminent when fashionable
people feel under an obligation to eX-
. change their comfortable city residences
against more or less uncomfortable
country seats, or, If they cannot boast OF
the latter luxury, the still more un-
comfortable quarters supplied at water
Ing places. Mrs. Warringham observed
that the streets were intolerably dusty,
and soon it was decided that the family
should leave the city at the earliest OPP
portunity. They had usually gone to
the seaside, but this time the physician
thought that the quiet Of some secluded
mountain retreat would lie better suited
TO Mrs. Warringham's state Of health
than the turmoil and excitement OF
Newport or Mount Desert. Accordingly,
about three weeks after Ralph's depart
ure, Mrs. Warringham and her niece
moved to Fair Glen, one Of the most
picturesque though comparatively little
known summer resorts OF the country.
Walter declared that the place was too
much out OF the way to suit his tastes,
but promised that he would pay frequent
visits. ......-. g.
A remarkable change had come over
Mrs. Warringham since her eldest son
had left She was not actually sick. yet
her nervousness and an unusual languor
inspired Hattie's observant mind with
apprehension. She appeared older than
formerly, and there were lines as OF
care and sorrow around her mouth. She
was more susceptible to the influences
of the changing weather and tempera-
sure than she had heep in the times of
her robust health. A shadow OF melan-
choly settled over her mind, and con-
trary to her former habits she associated
little with the other sum ner residents OF
the place. - T. -,
To Ralph and his wife she never al
1pdad faw tfnea Hattie touched the