The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-13
CRUEL
As
THE CRAVE;
The Secret Of DunpaVen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Hkuthor Of Faithful Margaret" Etc. Etc
CHAPTER N-5ContInued.)

future was slowly oyerspreading my
sky, had one sweet consultations; then,
As now, my little Ulva gave me the balm
Of her pure affection, and her fathers
heart and mine could still meet in our
love for her.
At that time England was much Vexed
by Eastern questions; rival tribes were
suing her for help to conquer each other;
many conflicting claims were maoo
which it was difficult to judge between.
At length it was decided to send secret
agent, accredited by the government, to
4he scene Of trouble, to gather the real
rights Of the several claimants before
England should enter into the negotia-
4ions with either side. Lord 1nchcape
was the choice Of the cabinet; statecraft
and indomitable courage were requisites
for the delicate mission, and In these my
lord was deemed highly gifted.
1t was sadly significant Of the distance
which was daily widening between our
spirits, that my lord at first made his
arrangements for going on his embassy
by himself, and could hardly be got to
believe that his wife preferred to be by
his side.
&You mistake the nature Of the Jour-
mey, n be reconstructed II do not travel
with pomp and ceremony as the envoy
of powerful nation; there are reasons
why should go as quietly and quickly
rs possible. I shall take no attendants,
and shall follow the obscurest routes"
$50 much the better" cried; I'VE
shall be the more together, and / shall
be your only attendant, more loving and
faithful than any you ever had before!"
"Engelonde, do not require this hard
duty Of you"
Oh. Raleigh, my husband, were you
blind?
II must 60 with you-do not do not
forbid met" I prayed with bursting
heart @Why will you deem my wifely
dove self-sacrifce? I have no life apart
from yours. Do not forbid me to 60
with you" And nay lord was silenced;
he permitted his child wife to creep
within the closing fortress Of his heart
almost to take her old place there-only
for that shadow of doubt which ever
lowered between. Yet even that half
victory was Joy unspeakable for me; and
rs I saw myself included in his every
plan, all heaven seemed opening before
me-a heaven of hope where doubt
would fee away forever. I was happy
jaappy!
!. We confded our Ulva to the loving
protection Of her mothers kindred, the
old Countess Of Rothaye, and bade fare
well to the shores Of England, for me
3olg farewell.
q And now was my husbands constant
Sompanion, no other came between US;
he leaned on me-he looked deep into
my heart and almost recognized the only
image there to be mis-. own; hemust have
come to trust me wholly very soon. All!
J should have died then!
We had reached that great Oriental
city where he had arranged to leave me,
the rest Of his journey was through a
hostile territory, and it would have been
folly for me to wish to hamper him with
my presence. Four persons had gone
from our household ahead Of US to pre-:
pare residence for me; my lord and
had journeyed incognito, avoiding in ev-
cry way the recognition OF any one
who might tndentity our persons or rank,
-ior great interests depended upon the
fSecrecy Of the mission.
I We found pleasant residence in the
suburbs Of the city ready for Us, and
modest household installed. all was ap-
propriate to the style Of WE'LL do COM
moners, which was the disguise we had
adopted. The four persons I refer to
were: Mr.. John Sircombe, who had been
my lords travelling tutor IN. his youth,
and bis secretary since; he was now
placed at the head OF my establishment
'-.Ss director In my lords absence. The
second was Kenmore, roble old High
lander and my lords body servant; then
came Mary, my maid, simple, kind
creature who loved me well; and Ma
than, Mr.. Sircombe's man, shrewd tel-
low, like his master.
- From the first moment that had met
Mr. Sircombe's cold, grudging eye when
my lord presented him to his bride at
Jnchcape Fosse, had never liked him;
q felt rather than saw duplicity under
shat smooth exterior, yet, as my lord
placed great confidence in him I was
ashamed of ny dislike and never whis-
pered it; so that my dear lord thought
he pleased me well when he gave me his
secretary for q guardian in his absence,
and / accepted him in silence, hoping
that might have 10 need Of faithful
one.
We found letters from England await
ing Us which announced an important
amendment in the programme. Lord
Inchcape was TO have Q colleague to
share the dangers OF his mission. and
an officer who had local knowledge .of the
territory il question, and who could
guide the envoy by the shortest and
safest route. This gentleman whose
name was not mentioned, was TO wait
upon my lord Immediately upon his az
rival.
We were IN the garden, my lord and I,
when the colleague came; the splendor
OF the tropical verdure was unrolled
around US; We were alone, We two,
strolling hand in hanS among the roses;
no sound was heard save our own low,
loving voices; love, sweet as the incense
of these surrounding blossoms, was IN
our hearts.
1t was the last moment that love lived
between Cs; already the feet that were
to trample it dead were at the gate.
A carriage rolled into the court, q
guard in blazing uniform rode about It.
.Alas! my brother envoy is here, "
said my husband, regretfully, 1--WE must
start within the hour, sweet Engelonde,
wa muss part!" You pressed your be-
loved lips to mine, my husband, for tie
Iast time-the last time! oh, Raleigh!
Through the scented alleys we heard
him come-I lifted up mine eyes-my
Aeart stood still-it was Col. Accrington,
INV insulting lover-my husbands enc
my. What thought you OF Your young
wife's sudden stat and pallor? Alas
for Engelonde, that lowering doubt came
closer then.
On he came, tall, naughty, with hi!
noble air, his inpassive oountenance;
nearer, nearer. his measured step tro(