The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-20
CHAPTER XII.
GwuY CALL 1T MURDER?n

GwHY CALL 1T MURDER?n
He had led the way round an abut-
ment Of the cliff, perhaps q score Of feet
from the path; they came to halt in q
hollow, close under the cliff, in curious
niche, protected from inquisitive eyes
by great granite boulder perched on o
slight elevation opposite the cleft in the
cliff wall.
A mass of wild honeysuckle and ivy
mantled far up the rugged crag; glanc-
ing upward one saw that they stood d.
rectly beneath the southern bastion OF
the tower.
"Now, sir, I demand an explanation Of
your words!" said Sircombe: at white
heat
"Mr. Sircombe, owe you no explana-
ton of either motive or meaning; but, OF
my own free will, I will tell you that
am one who knows the fact Of your
treachery to Lady Inchcape in her hour
of need; and that l hold the power in
my hands to have you driven from under
yonder roof in merited disgrace"
The director grew ashen pale, and re-
coiled in dismay.
"Then it is as I feared, he muttered,
between his teeth. "She has made you
her confdant, and you believe her, OF
course. But you may not find that LORD
Inchcape Is equally credulous."
@Oh, intend to cause you to con-
vince him." retorted Edgar, quietly;
ayou shall repeat the conversation which
YOU overheard that light between the
lady and Colonel Acerington; and when
Lord Inchcape compares your testimony
with his wife's the truth shall prevail !"
aAnd what power do you imagine you
possess over me, to force me into this
act of self-destruction?" demanded Sir
combe, his hollow eyes faring.
81 make no threats" replied Edgar,
scornfuliy. 81 shall give you chance
to act like an honest man."
For long pause, neither spoke. The
hush Of death brooded around them; no
leaf stirred nor bird sang; the heavens
hung low and gray.
uunn yircompv sas looking this cal
amity which had befallen him in the
face, and the longer he looked the more
appalled, he was.
Lady Inchcape had rebelled at last,
and had chosen champion who seemed
resolute to suct eed in rightfng her
wrongs And her vindication meant Sir
combe's ruin, for he had not only with
held the testimony which would have
saved her but he had skillfully kept
alive the slnoldering fires of Inchcape's
suspicion and jealousy ever since-had,
in fact done his best to keep them es.
tranged.
At first he had done this through the
love of power and.an important place;
hrf IN
his eyes into floweriof all mastering
loveliness-ah, since then it had grown
death to b1 discovered and cast out in
disgrace!
And now this man had come, young,
care-free, pitiless in his insolent powers
of fascination, and he loved her!
"You give me the chance to act like
an honest man," repeated Sircombe,
bitterly. sWhat, then, If I should pro-
pose to buy your honesty with mine?"
"Ah, you mean"
"Yes, 1 mean Lady Ulva. If promise
to make reparaton to Lady Inchcape,
will you promise to leave Lady Ulva for
ever?"
II shall make no such compromise
with you," said Edgar, slowly. u love
the lady, and I believe shall yet re-
ceive Lord Inchcape's permission to WOO
her."
@Ah, you say this to my face!" cried
Sircombe, fercely, and he made a gest-
ure so full of maddened fury that Edgar
took an involuntary step backward from
the distorted visage that bent toward
him.
AS he did so the tangled vines parted
beneath his weight, dark aperture
yawned behind him, and the next mo-
ment he fell headlong backward, clutch
ing wildly at the vines, which broke In
brittle handfuls and then closed over
the aperture as before
Sircombe had uttered yell OF warn
ing-Edgar was silent-and started for
ward to aid him-but he was too late.
He gazed at the leafy screen with da7ed
senses; he put out his hand to tear 1t
apart, but paused in the very act, aud
for long, long minute considered, with
fixed eye and hands outstretched.
There was neither voice nor movement
within.
Nothing but the lowering heavens and
the motionless trees to be seen.
lTo BE Continued
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