The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-05-01
CRUEL
THE. CRAVE,
The Secret Of DunpaYen:
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author Of Faithful Margaret" ETC.. Etc
CHAPTER xvI.-Conanued.

CHAPTER XvI.-ConSnued.
Accrington had been gracefully loung-
ing against the mantel-piece opposite his
visitor, who had declined the offered
chair; he now Strengthened his tall form,
aud threw back his head with satir!cal
look, which almost disguised his fierce
agitation.
~And may one ask what power l have
In the mstter3" demanded he.
@The power of the wronger to make
reparation to the wronged!" answered
Edgar, sternly. @Col. Accrington, it is
useless to maintain any DISCUSSES. l
have learned the whole history OF your
dealings with Lord Inchcape and his
unhappy lady; and have come to You
70 entreat you for justice to them
For moment it seemed as II Acc
crington must spring upon him, so derce
was the glare Of his eyes, as he glow
cred with rage and shame; but he stern
" controlled himself, and stood, white
and mute, with clenchedg hands and
quivering pulses, while Edgar want on
speaking. ,,
1T was not Lord lnchcape whotold
me the story; deeply as he has suffered,
j know he would perish on the rack be-
fore he would sue your mercy, or allow
you to be sued 6p ahis behalf. By q
strange chance I learned it, neverthe-
less, and scali upon you to set the wife
right with the husband, and my Lord
Inchcapc right with his colleagues who
doubt his integrity through your
agency
Accrington was too proud to deny; he
Saw :hst Arden had the truth, and that
oquivocation would not blind him.
He sprang to see that the door was
fast, and remained in that end OF the
apartment, pacing swiftly to and fro
the only relief he permitted his violent
1xcitement-while he strove to see the
whole importance Of this exposure In its
relations to his ambitious schemes.
A wild rage possessed him; he could
have fallen upon the insolent accuser
yonder and torn him limb from limb, If
that would have given him back his
damning secret and silenced accusation
forever; but murder would not help
him, that he knew; and he struggled
with himself despairingly for compoSure,
that he might work his way cot of this
net which had so suddenly been thrown
pve! him.
II Arden chose to utter this accusa-
Mon In public, Accrington's chance for
election was ruined; nay, his very resi-.
dence in Stafford was impossible; for defy
the accuser as he might, he could not
disproye the accusation; and the whole
country would side with the powerful
Inchcape to crush the suspected alien.
And Loveday would despise as well as
fear him! %oveday, whom his fierce
heart still pursued with hungering COW
xub ba frh fnr no
portunity to pounce upon her!
Would anything induce this foolish
Don Quixote to be silent?
What did he know?
Col. Accrington turned his lowering
eyes upon Arden, and still striding about
said in a hoarse, changed voice:
~You have made an astonishing sccu-
sation; be good enough to inform me ex-
actly what you refer to?"
Arden turned from him scornfully he
saw that he meant to have recourse to
shift and evasion; there was no reaching
his scared conscience.
u appeal to your honor, Col Accring-
ton; act the honest man; do right, though
the heavens should fall, and all righteous
men shall respect you," he cried with en-.
orgy, striving to inspire the waverng
die 1t into generosity,
But Accrington could no longer act
the honest man; he had so long made his
choice of evil instead of good, that his
character had determined towards the
bad; he must now act according to the
character which he had framed. - -lg
For few moments he stood still, gaz-
ing furiously at Edgar, the1 he walked
up to him, and, still with his feroeious
eyeball's riveted Upon Edgar's, said
slowly: -.
LISTEN my bold mentor. have per-
matted you to have your say, because I
wanted to catch your game, but l will
slew no word Of all this to be uttered
In any other hearing than my own. ]
utterly decline to discuss my private
affairs with you, or any one else; and ]
warn you, that you are meddling in
matter which may blow you along with
Lord Inchcape, into atoms. The man is
doting surely. to set you upon me-"
.My Lord Inchcape knows nothing Of
this appeal" said Edgar haughtily; @you
must know his nature better than tc
suppose that he could crouch to his base
foe for his rights
THAT word shall cost you dear" saiG
Accrington, paling horribly as the word
~base" fell like fire upon his pride
God knows wish it was misapplied!"
exclaimed Arden, coldly observant oi
him. Now, sir, let rs to more busi'
ness-like view of the matter. If you
will do Lord Inchcape Justice before the
Lords Of the Oriental Mission; promise
you to withdraw instantly from this con.
test for the borough Of Stafford, and
leave you to walk over the course as
you phrase 1t. A few words of explain
alton from you will convince these mel
of his integrity, attainted for five Ions
years through no fault of his. What de
you say; shall you Ee the undisputec
member for Stafford. at the cost Of few
words of deserved self-blame?"
! 3No." thundered Accrington, writhin.
beneath the humiliating proposal; IF
be villain, as you will have it, am nj
:mercenary villain; ! will not SET my
honor for anything more material thar
revenge. Begone, insulting fool; yor
little know the spirit you have reused
Away with you, before forget my civ
tlization and horsewhip you within my
Town doors" And he lowered over Ed
jgar convulsed with shame and rage.
SYou refuse my prayer, then?" said
Edgar bitterly; land guiItless man
must suffer on to save Richard Accring'
tons spurious pride. Well. sir, have
given you your chance; ! shall DOW Cd
pose right against your poor craven
might, and see which wins the battle.
6ood evening, sir; you shall not win the
sI1 ~lN