The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-02-20


AS he grew stronger, she still sat with
him hour by hour; a pale, burning-eyed
presence, that seldom spoke, but fol-
lowed her own brooding thoughts by
the hour; yet always ready with. her
sweet KIM smile, If no sought her eye;
or with her small, deft, nervous hands
when he wanted help. Others served
his material wants; Mr.. Sircombe, my
lords bookish secretary, amiably sacrl-
feed many hours by his pillow, reading
to or conversing with him; but he felt
rs if unhappy Engclonde had been so
very close to linn in spirit through all
the mystic labyrinth Of fever, that he
could never regard her with the imper-
sonal interest he might have given an
other woman.
His unacknowledged acquaintance
with her secret had also lent such Pc
culiar, tender sweetness to his manner,
that Lady Dunraven unconsciously
yielded herself to its destinations, and
gradually turned her starved affections
toward him, with that loveliest Of senti-
ments, the love a woman gives her
young brother. The romance OF her
heart had all been lavished upon her
husband-she could never take 1t back;
but she had yet some deep emotions
left, and Edgar Arden had set them
flowing.
She had always found strange pleas
ure in contemplating his features, from
that first night when he lay unconscious
before her; che still indulged in these
long meditative studies; he would wake
in the dead of night, when nothing
seemed to live around them save the
roaring sea, to find her brilliantly spir-
itual face bending toward him out Of
the darkness, with such a yearntng look
that, knowing her secret sorrow, his
whole soul would respond to the mute
cry for sympathy, and he would feel
wild impulse to offer her the service OF a
true knight if mortal could bring her de-
liverance from her grief.
Edgar had not conquered himself so
far as to resolve upon leaving the island
and Ulva Immediately, when an invita-
tion came from Lady Dunraveu to join
the ladies in her parlor II he was feeling
capable of the ezertion.
Mr.. Sircombe was good enough to
visit him while he was still coming over
the welcome note, with sparkling eyes
and bounding heart He came upon
him, gray and haggard, with some prick
ing discomfort fresh upon him, a shade
upon the lovers exultation.
"Ah, that is right; you have forsaken
your invalid habits!" said he, affecting
genial interest He shook hands with
Edgar, touched his pulse moment. and
shook his head with rallying smile.
SBut you must not overdo it, MI. Edgar.
No new exertion today. I am not quite
satisfied with that pulse. You are too
easily excited, and excitement Is special
" to be avoided, II you mean to escape
from your captivity this week"
II feel capitally," said Edgar, unsus-
piciously; II mean to make my first de-
but in the ladies' parlors. Lady Dun
raven has asked me to try 1t to-day"
Sircombe's hardening face showed that
he had already learned this item, and felt
no elation at the prospect
He hesitated little, then looked sig.
nificently at Edgar, and said:
u would advise you not to try 1t to-
day."
aIndeed!" exclaimed Edgar, dryly.
@Nor ever!" proceeded the director IN
q toneless voice.
"Sorry to disoblige you," retorted Ed
gar, his blood rising at the mans cool
assumption Of authority, "but I feel
that I will accept Lady Dunraven's kind
invitation. Oh, don't suffer from anxiety
on my account I am far stronger than
you imagine" he added, ironically.
Mr.. Sircombe walked about o little,
knitting his brow and gnawing his lip.
He made ali abrupt pause in front OF
Edgar, astonishing him by the intense
animosity he betrayed in his face.
81 warn you," said he, quietly; las one
who has for many years been intimate
with the interests Of this house. l warn
You not to take advantage of the .acci.
dent which has thrust you in our midst
Retire, as you came, stranger; In no
other way can you so worthily repay
the kindness which has been shown you
here"
Edgar's own conscience echoed these
words; but Mr.. Sircombe's involuntary
glare Of hatred multiplied them in his
mouth. What personal stake had he In
personal emotions.
"Pardon, but 1 am quite content to
submit to Lady Dunraven's will in the
matter" said Edgar, calmly; 81 should
be sorry, indeed, to cross you in any
thing that concerned yourself"
"Sir, sir, would have you understand
that this matter concerns me nearly"
cried Sircombe in great heat; "my lord
placed me in this house as his own rep
resentatiYe-I Am sole director here"
"Do you then wish to inform me that
Lord Dunraven would object to my pay.
ing my grateful devoirs to the ladies OF
this house. to whom I owe my life2"
cried Edgar.
Again Sircombe walked about the
room, lowering and pondering, at loss
how to annihilate this persistent antag-
onist
Again he halted before Edgar. giving
him bitter look.
ut Ill becomes either you or me to dis.
cuss the concerns Of this family" said
he; ayou are an utter stranger; you must
accept my word as authorized by my po.
sition. Lord Dunraven does not intend
to accept q husband for Lady Ulva.
Wore a prince Of England to sue for her
hand, it would be denied him. Rank. or
ecnius, or worth-they are all alike,
Lady Ulva may never marry"
This statement, as 1t dropped slowly
and deliberately from his lips, seemed to
Bicken speaker and hearer alike.
In passionate incredulity Edgar held
his eyes with his own-Sircom be never
WINGED, but watched his shocked and
troubled face with gloomy satisfaction.
Il need not apologize for Offering you
officious information, said he presently.
aYour face betrays the interest with
which you already regard the young lady.
It taflicts you to learn that she Is never to
be yours Think, then, what affiiction
might be hers, II with such o sentiment