The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-27
When Sircombe reached the tower he

contrived to be seen by Ulva, to whom
he explained that he had returned for
something for Mr.. Edgar but that Ken
more was with him. Ulva drew his at
tention to the threatening sky, and sug-
gested that they should give up the
excursion for that day.
~ shall give him your message said
Sircombe.
Certainly mott" cried she, haughtily,
II do not interfere with Mr.. Edgar; /
merely made suggestion to you."
And Sircombe eagerly laid the conso-
lation to his vexed soul that she was
disguised with the strangers audacity.
He took his time about going down to
the shore, and found Kenmore staring
at the vacant mooring
aWhat? has he gone by himself'"
exclaimed the director; "did you see
him?"
Kenmore had not seen him.
HE has probably got tired OF wait
Ing" suggested Sircombe; "but that
was rash thing for man in his condi.
ton to do. And I don't like the sky
aIf he's out his lane in that cookie
shell, he's like to be lost" muttered
kenmore uneasily.
"Oh, he's no fool; he has likely gone
no farther than round the point there,
and will be back in few minutes"
They waited in silence; the dead hush
was broken only by the tapping sound
of the waves against the rocks
Sircombe could not help straining his
ear to listen for q far-off despairing
voice calling for help; and he was so
rloc Rot 10
unusual look on his face and puzzled
over it.
He had not Sircombes grounds for pa
tience however, and soon started to
climb the promontory, saying:
"rm ava to hae look for him, he
Gamma be noticing the weather"
When he was gone Sircombe threw
himself down on q rock with groan.
and gave way to paroxysm Of horror.
Was the young man alive?
How long it would be before he could
die! What If he could climb up the
shaft and gain foothold behind the
bowlder? He could never move it, but
his shouts might easily be heard by any
passers on the path
Images of horror crowded upon the
guilty man; he writhed and moaned in
anguish unspeakable; what would he
not have given to be able to undo that
fearful deed! But he dared not even go
back and save Edgar; for how could he
account for the bowlder in the orifce?
Absorbed in these reflections, the
light tones Of Ulva's voice speaking be-
side him caused him to bound to his feet,
the drops of agony standing on his
brow.
@You have not gone, then?7 she was
exclaiming in establishment; "where Is
Mr.. Edgar? Is he out with Kenmore
alone?"
She asked this last very nervously;
poor child! her only fear Of danger for
Edgar rose from kenmore's threat, she
never suspected Sircombe. She had felt
uneasy about the weather, and finding
herself too restless to stay indoors had
started out to spend the afternoon among
her poor people.
Her quick eyes at once caught the in
tense agitation Of the director, and ter
ror seized her; she forgot her wrath at
Edgar and dropped all assumption Of in
difference.
sSurely you did not send him out with
no one but Kenmore, who hates him?"
cried she, insistently. @Why don't you
speak, Mr. Sircombe? What has hap.
pened."
Nothing at all, Lady Ulva," replied
be, coldy, jealousy restoring his pres
ence of mind by deadsAing his remorse;
AT least nothing that need distress you.
The fact is, think our guest has hidden
US farewell"
She grew pale as ashes, her eyes dark
ened and dilated with pain and fear.
"Oh, what do you mean?" she gasped.
That piteous sight completely restored
erous self. He felt guilty joy at the
thing he had done; his whole intellect
was on the alert to cover up his traces.
II believe that Mr.. Edgar has started
alone for Scotland" said he "When
Kenmore and l came down here he had
taken the boat and was gone"
@But why should you say he had gone
away? That is nonsense, Mr.. Edgar
would not leave US so unceremoniously
as that!" said Ulva, incredulously.
"My dear young lady, have reasons
for my conjecture" replied Sircombe.
@After you left Mr.. Edgar he betrayed
great chagrin and excitement, repeated
several times, i have acted like a mad
man-how shall ever dare to face her
again?' I did not presume to question
him, and he did not explain himself to
me; but after considering a few mo-
ments he requested me to return for my
telescope, as he would enjoy looking at
the tower through 1t. OF course
obeyed, but now perceive that was but
hasty excuse to escape my remon-
strancos against such a rash under
taking"
UIva seemed petrifed.
And at that moment, with a binding
fash of lightning, and deafening crash
of thunder, the storm broke.
@He will be lost" whispered she, look
ing wildly up to the frowning heavens.
Her anguish tore at Sircombe's heart
strings; he gnawed his lying lip with
rage and pain.
Down came the rain with sudden
blast that scourged the seas into a
world of boiling foam, and almost swept
the light form of tho girl into the water.
"Let me take you home!" implored
Sircombe. She started and flashed him
a wondering, reproachful look.
"Without one effort to save him?"
said she sternly. "Am 1 dreaming or
delirious? or what strange change is this
which see upon you. this unnatual
callousness concerning the life Of that
brave man? l cannot comprehend you'll"
she cried, her piercing eyes upon the
guilty, quailing wretch, till he could have
screamed prayer to be delivered from
them. "Why did you, who can read the
signs, tempt him to 60 on the water this
afternoon of all the days he has been
with rs? And when YOU saw that he