The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-24

- The three were. left in they 'vestibule
Mrs Dellamere would not ask Col. Ac
crington inside her door. The bright
lamplight from the window shone full
upon his lowering face. Mrs. Della
mere turned on him with comp Banding
gesture.
Speak, Col Accrington; I presume
you are here to do So And pray ba
concise, for this is the last time Mrs,
Dellamere shall have the honor of an In.
terview with Col. Accrington.
Her whitening tones reused him.
"Madam," said he, quietly, Il an
here to say that unless marriage fol-
lows the imprudence committed to-day,
Miss Dellameres innocent anne will b.
the prey of every foul mouth in Stafford
I shall marry her"
Never! never!" calculated Mrs Del
lamere, growing pale as death; "yoI
have doubtless played the game ver1
adroitly, and will have rich revenge
If defeated; still I shall defeat you. u
it be as you say, that you have put my
daughters name in every foul mouth II
Stafford, I shall take her far from En-
gland and begin new life. The grave
were preferable to a union with you"
think, fair friend; marriage will
save her," said Accrington, softly; @ar
you right to sentence your innocent
daughter to be infamously slandered, tt
the breaking OF her heart and the ruiz
Of her prospects,"
~Ah, have mercyl" gasped the un
hanny mothAn" covering her ears Will
her hands. aWhat demon inspires thh
man. that he can play on human hearo
strings whatever tune he in his wicked
ness desires? My daughter! my sun
bright Loveday. scorned and shamed
her spirits crushed-her heart broken
oh, my God, is there no way to save hi
but this wayl"
She wrung her hands and wept ant
Accrington, leaning in the easiest atti
tude, drank in her despair with exultini
10y. He thought he had vanquished tht
mother; and in his elation he felt quit
strong enough to vanQuish the daughter
in turn.
Auboron suddenly spoke.
II have waited to hear Colonel 40
crington's apologies for the distress hI
has caused two helpless ladies; and hil
assurances that no harm has been done
I hear, instead, threat that Miss Della
mere shall be DETAINED if she does mo-
marry him. Marriage will save her, yoI
are quite sure of that, sir?"
Accrington bowed low and mockingly
Auberon took Mrs Dellamere's cold ant
trembling hand, and caressed it betweeI
his own warm nervous ones.
@Then marriage shall save her!" criel
he, flushing up, and fixing his sparkling
eyes beseechinghly upon Mrs. Della
mere, while the thrill from his OWL
heart tingled through his hands int
hers, and crept along all her veins lik,
new life. Marriage shall save her; bul
I shall be the bridegroom, If you, dear
est madam, will consent Dear Mrs
Dellamere, let re marry Loveday. J
beseech you, say Tcs!"
"You, my boy" whispered Mrs Della
mere, gazing at him almost wildly, whilt
Accrington sprang erect with q ferci
air. "But is not this pity? generouI
pity, which yet fills me with humilia
tion!"
"Pity!" echoed Auberon, hot'y, "wh,
shall dare pity Loveday! I assure you
Mrs DeAamere, that as circumstance
have fallen out LoVeday IS IN no dan
ger, not the slightest, as you viii see TO!
yourself when you have heard all. !
love her, and she loves ne"
"Ha!" snarled Accrington, looking a.
II he would spring upon him. "Yot
take much for granted, my modest boy
Colonel Accrington. to spare gon AMI
further trouble iE this matter, which hai
ceased to concern you, shall explain
that Miss Delamere and have plightet
our troth to each other, subject to Mrs
Dellamere's appreciation, "said Auberon
proudly.
And without waiting to watch the tor
tured lace OF his vanquished rival. AZ
the truth struck home, he bent his curlI
head and received Mrs Dellamere's fer
vent kiss upon his brow. then caugh
her in his arms as she sank under thi
wild revulsion of feeling.
AS he lore her into the hall he saw 40
crington striding away in the darkness
as if swept by the storm.