The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-06
CHAPTER TX.

have borne my sorrow patiently these
many years. but time has Iot brought
deiverance Still we arc sundered, my
lord andI l. He lives brooding hermit
in his English castle; I pine here in this
Northern islet, hidden from the world
and he has not looked upon my face
since that bitter day when ho drove me
out Of his life, because TWO villains lied
away my honor.
The wild winds moan around my lonely
tower-the breakers roar at its feet
mourn ard pray throughout the long,
resounding nights, fever burning for
ever in my veins.
Oh, Tor 6eliveranceI Oh, for deliver
ance!
But not till these two confess that
they have lied will my ord take me BACK
to his heart; and who will wiring con-
fession from them? Who will be my
champion, to set me free from the shame
that is killing me?
Shall I cheat the maddening hours by
setting down my miserable story, to be
read when l am gone by my love, who
may Judge me less harshly then? Surely
the truth will prevail, Ii he hears it, as
it were, from dead Engeionde's grave.
At least let me wander while among
the rencmbrances Of that gracious time
when we were together, loving and trust
ing each other, before tho fatal shadow
of doubt fell between US.
Engelonde Challoncr, the daughter OK
an American Senator, married at eight
cen Lord Incbcape, who was forty. He
was my first and is my oE!Y love; no
other passion has ever touched me. I
went to him with all the treasures Of
freshest gir!bood untasted be. By him
self.
It was himself I loved-his noble
heart his proud integrity; I gioricd in
his rank and power because they were
part OF himself. Even tho disparity in
our ages seemed to me fascinating, be-
cause it set him on throne at the foot
of which I could worship him.
He transplanted me into brilliant
circle, he called around US troop OF
friends, and Inchcape Fosse became the
scene Of continuous festivlty, over which
he loved to see me reign.
had two friends. who soon wen my
tendereat Iova; my tavorite was gentle
Alice, the wife Of honest Squire Crecy;
she other was the beautiful Laura Del
lamere, young widow. They both
lived in the peighborhood, and came al
most every day to me to assist me in en-
tertaining the crow1 OF guests THAI
filed the castle.
At last one came, fatal guest His
eccGrsed name is Richard Accrlngton.
He came to US preceded by brilliant
reputation. In the Indian mutiny he
had distinguished himself gallantly;
there were many records OF his heroism
and ability; we welcomed the young SOL
dier among US with enthusiasm.
There were other whispers, too. 10
was said that Colone! Accrington had
been Laura'S first lover-that she had
sacrificed herself and him, at her needy
! fathers command, 10 marry the wealthy
! commoner. Miles Dellamere, and that lie
| was suing her again in her widowhood
! 10 lay his laureiS at her feet and win
her hand at last.
| It was my dear lords evil fate to bring
| him to our home-to present the brilliant
! stranger to me. Let me oVerpass the
loatEed recollection. Enough 10 say
that he was base enough to make
blind Of Mrs. DelIamere behind which to
indulge a guilty passion for one VINO
dreamed not oi the truth-for hap
less me.
Ore day accident disclosed what he
fain would have hidden. The illness OF
his father recalled him home; he sought
me in my priva"y in haste to say adieu,
and my unsuspicious coldness wrung
sudden burning words from him. MIS-
taking his agitation for grief on Mrs.
De!lamere's account unwittingly
goaded him into full declaration OF his
dete, tod passion. ! was stupehed, ex-
cess of emotion he'd me dumb.
Your amazement is we'll acted, II 1t
Is. acted" Knocked he. "If it is sincere,
then i am as lost and disgra"ed man
as lives to curse himself this day."
I faiteredi Lapra's name: his atten-
tion to her Lad been open and unquai-
fed, to retract from them would most
cruelty iniure her.
He retorted with the utmost derision--.