The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-10
CHATTER XIV.
AEO ONE HALL PART Us NOM.n

\
A low sigh went through the October
wood us Loyoday rode along, leaving the
last thatched roof of Silvcrstream far
behind her The clouds had been
gathering all day long, and now lowered
threateningly over the quiet srene, along
which the white road wound up mill and
down dale, with the deep strong Silver
stream running far beneath in the
ravine.
Relieved from the agitating presence
Of Accrington, she began to review her
situation more nationally; hope entered
her young breast. What If she could
get home to mamma unseen by every
one, and confiding the whole dreadful
affair to that faithful heart, be COM
forted. and hear no more Of it?
But oh! but OH there were TOO many
grevious ingredients in the cup to be
able to forget its bitter tang like that
There was Auberon'S enga- ement to
Merrion Rae, if he was engaged; and
Col Accrington's strange, oppressive
love for herself-no; there could be little
comfort for poor Loveday, even II she
was so blessed as to escape the busy
bo lies to-day.
what sound was that? the mournful
hoot of an owl in the far recesses Of the
forest. What if she were to meet some
rough people. gypsies: or tramps, or
sporting cads from the town, half drunk,
and disorderly as usual? Loveday's
eyes began to glance hither and thither
in scared presentiment. and her heart to
throb thickly, when sound more terri.
tie than any imaginary ones smote upon
her Mortified ear. 1t was the loose clink
of her horses shoe. The road was
rough and f1inty, her barb was tender
footed as lady; what was to be done il
it came off? And how cou d this have
happened. when mine host had said that
both the horses were having their feet
examined by blacksmith
She chokcd down her distress stern!y,
and siackening her pace, patiently
ambled along. mile S.ter mile.
Severa! people had passed her, but
although everyone stared in astonish.
ment at the elegantly appointed eQues.
trienne plodding along without the usual
apparitiOH Of trim groom some twenty
PAGES behind. nobody accosted her.
And the wind roared, and the storm.
clio, darkened. while the clink Of the
loosu shoe grew louder and looser. Sud.
denly she caught the gallop of horses
hoofs coming behind her; she drew up
to listen-yes, above the roar OF the
wind it came distinctly to her ears; and
she knew that across little ravine
which she had been rounding, some man
was riding furiously after her, and must
be at her side in less than five minutes.
@He has followed me, them" thought
she, with great plunge Of the heart,
and now for the first time awoke a wild,
thrilling terror-terror Of COL Accring.
ton.
He had played her false and had fol.
lowed her. ON why, why?
She urged her horse forward, faster
faster, needless of tho final clatter and
clang Of the thrown shoe, and Of her fine
animals winciDgs and stumblings as the
flints wounded her tender foot; she
heard the far shout Of her. pursuer, who
had likely caught the sound OF her gal.
Looping: and now she piled the whip on
her horses sensitive flank, for the first
tine in her life forgetful Of o living
creatures pain. and Ahmed bounded
ten feet at spring, and then flew, ears
laid back, eyes lsmping and bulging,
and white foam float ng from her rcd
nostrils.
Away! away! while the trees whirleo
by. and the road swan under them, and
the fury of the race drained the life
blood from Lovcday's lips and cheek.
and her brain seemed bursting with eX:
cess of throbbing, and her fear rose to
frenzy!
And yet the pursuer was gaining on
Der every moment.
Suddenly the road dipped into hol
low where the river crossed their course
with a bridge thrown over it.
lTO BE CONTINUED.