The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-05-01
CHAPTER XVII.


Next evening. Edgar having just re-
turned from q day among his electors,
was greeted with the news that Mr.. Sir
combe had arrived within the hour, and
that Lord Inchcape desired to see MIR.
Arden at once. -
Edgar found my lord at home; he had
not received his secretary until he could
have Edgar to support him.
II shall do whatever you please, my
dear EDGAR said his lordship, and he
showed him into his. private sane
tum, with the door ajar, that Edgar
might hear the conversation anu appear
at his cue. Then he sant for his secre-
tary Pa:
Both men started when they met each
other; Sircombe missed the hopeless look
on the Earl's worn'face, and Lord Inch
|$eapey swss Ssstonished at the haggard
change on Sircombe's.
He could not gneSs that his secretary
had incurred blood outlines since last
he saw him.
Edgar could hardly recognize the
husky. hesitating voice which answered
Lord Inchcape'S inquiries concerning
the ladies on Sleat-na- -Nrecken.
Neither OF them as well as usual!
What is the matter?" exclaimed Lord
Inchcape, repeating Sircombe's words.
"a rather painful occurrence hap
pened last week, which seems to have
caused them great Distress" returned
Sircombe, turning away his face un-
comfortably. "a young man who had
been cast ashore from yacht in storm
was received into the tower by my lady,
and nLrSed back to health. He was q
stranger, but q gentleman, and knew
how to recommend himself to my ladies.
Last week he CHANGED to go out alone in
the skiff, and was drowned This has
afflicted the ladies greatly; they have
been overwhelmed with grief"
HE was drowned" echoed Lord Inch
cape, amazedly, for of this portion of the
story Edgar had said nothing.
The secretary gave an account OF the
strangers sojourn at the island, and
with obvious confusion narrated his mel
ancholy end.
The Earl was puzzled, but presently
dropped the subject and took up the
business he had sent for Sircombe to
discuss
"Mr Sircombe," sad he, abruptly,
looking him fall in the face, "why have
you deceived me?"
Sircombe turned pale as death, spd
waited for more, but. the Earl, by Ed
gar's Instructions, added not another
wore
"I-I am at loss" stammered he
ITO what can your lordship allude?"
"beware, sir. You shall tel me ths
truth at last" said Lord Inchcape,
sternly.
Sircombe sank back in his chair hall
fainting. His only thought was that in
some supernatural way Lord Inchcape
had discovered the truth Of the young
strangers di appearance.
For a moment he wished that he had
in his pocket pinch Of poison, that he
might swallow it before his ruin fell up.
Oh him.
Utterly spec ,hless, he could only
glare at his patron and struggle foI
breath.
II see you know too we'll to what I al.
lude," cried Lord Inchcape, in sudden,
fierce triumph. @Your very looks CON-
denim You, ana prove that foul wrong
has Oeen done the Innocent"
"Mercy, mercy" my lord" gasped
Sircombe, Tar too bewildered 10 pick his
words. at was done on the impulse Of
a moment Of madness, and bitterly re
pented-aye. with tears Of torturng
anguish"
"Strange repentance, that brought nc
reparation." cried Lord Inchcape, scorn.
fully: land that allowed you to live al
ease in the very presence Of your un.
happy victim!"
"Oh, God forgive me-" groaned the