The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-30

graceful OF society queens, srd possesE
ed infinite tact, and she would no more
have presumed to ask these questions
than she would have thrust her hand
into the fire, If she had known what q
wound che was probing.
Lord Inchcape's face hardened into
stone, and as she unwittingly caught his
eve she met such q whitening look OF
derision that she withdrew her own with
precipitation, utterly abashed.
VI fear Lady Ulva will not return
60 Stafford for some TINA" said my
lord, coldly; then with reSolute change
of subject he went on to Jay: ais that
her grace the Duchess Of carisbroole !
see yonder? 1t Is, indeed and seeming
" as vivac:ous as she wal eighty years
ago." =,
He leaned against colymn beside the
ladies, and folding his arms, relapsed
into silence, the trigid rererve OF mis-
anthrope.
Mrs. Crecy's hand stoSe toward Mrs
Dellamere's under their tashmeres, and
pressed It meaningly.
Perhaps they knew just little more
thinks my 1ntuitions see clearer tnsn
your experience.
And her own dark loveliness glowed
more triumphantly as she spoke. -
than did the world Of the tragedy which
had spoiled the life Of proud Inchcape
Meanwhile an adjacent group Of ladies
were discussing an absorbing theme
HOh, assure you it's quite q settled
thingID declared the aged Duchess Of
Carisbrooke in her deepest tones. Mrs
Crecy and Mrs. Dellamere have been fast
friends and allies ever since Mrs. Della
mere came to Saliord fifteen years ago,
when she was newly emancipated from
an old brute of q millionaire whom she
had no business to marry" (What mer-
ci!ess calendars old women are.)
aAuberon Crecy and Loveday Della
mere have been playmates in their child
hood, companion spirits in their youth,
and they will now be lovers, my word for
it" and she nodded her silver head. +
II don't know that your grace OBJ
jected Lady Merrion Rae, q Scotch belle
Of twenty; @Loveday Dellamere Is as
merry as q kitten, and Auberon Crecy Is
something between the poet and the
prophet-where's the affinity? Besides,
blonde doesn't magnetic blonde as q
Eule. Hal my Lady Carisbrooke. me-
The surrounding goss1ps exchanged
laughing an6 significant Hlances as they
listened to buna3 Merrion's defiant
declaration; and her grace, an imperl-
Gus autocrat regarding her own opinions,
fastened her lusterless old eyes upon the
charming rebels blushing face as shb
retorted:
aNobody on earth need take the
trouble to fall in love with Auberor
Crecy. Loveday Dellamere was born
for him, and he for her. They will
marry, and shall live to see it."
And having 30 prophesied, the oracle
nodded her head dozen times, and
turned toward the rising curtain.
The scene was bit Of fairyland. A
grassy ring silvered by moonlight lay in
front; q mimic forest encircled 1t, and in
the background rose the crystal outlines
of fairy palace.
The act opened with the entrance Of
traveller wrapped in his cloak, musing as
he wandered among the trees with his
eyes on the grounp and his thoughts far
away.
The music expressed in long, wistful
notes the sadness Of his reverie, aiad the
loneliness Of MS situation. -..,.... .a. T.,
OUScEfluS uOIuluH, uo dof6uSeu w oho
center Of the fairy-ring, and was sud-
denly s5ruck motionless, riveted by
spell to the magic spot upon which he
had unconsclously intruded r,..a
A shower of sparkling notes indicated
bis astonishment and alarm; he then re-
signed himself to the will Of his invisi-
BILE captors, and dof1ng his plumed hat
reverently kneit in supplication for re-
lease. ...s ' ..... T..
This was Auberon Crecy.
The youth was rapturously beautiful.
He was slight, straight and graceful as
an elfn prince; he had romantic fea'
lures and wavy, blonde hair; and his
radiant expression endeared him to every
feminine heart, while his ,well-knit fig.
ure and well strength won him
the masculine appreciation.
All his brief life he had been adored,
end yet his wholesome nature was un-
spoiled. Beautiful, beloved, and gifted
was it not dazzling fortune!
-ITo BE coNTlNuEp