The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-10
The Secret of DunpaVen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author of Faithful Margaret" Etc. Etc
CHAPTER xIII.-Continued.

IL. her ledIC SWelleQ DlIt0TIys ~ "ds
hard to find herself in Auberon's way
to see that all this sweet, loving intimacy
was but lovers ruse to bring Miss Rae
to terms!
She followed Accrington' guidance
without doubt; she felt as il she could
never meet Auberon again.
Accrington knew every foot OF the 10.
eality; five years ago he had spent many
Q day with his sporting companions
beating those glades for game.
He did not at once disturb the painful
reverie of his companion, but took ad-
vantage OF her preoccupatlon to lead
her so many turns and twists that when
ut length she looked round, she felt com.
pletely at fault. Accrington confidently
assured her that they were on the route
for home, and drew her into converse
tion with such tact that she gradually
yielded herself to his influence, and
listened. responded, and became inter
ested, while time few, and the miles
stretched behind them.
Never had Richard Accrington exert
ed himself so earnestly: he was talking
against time, and each half hour they
fingered together-each mile they left
behind them-was another link to the
chain he was forging for the capture OF
Miss Dellamere!
He wooed her thoughts far from her.
self and her present surroundings, to
follow him from land to land where he
had been; when marlels might begin te
. pail upon her, he caught hel
anew with pathetic version o1
his own history, specially adapted
to attract her tender and innocent
sympathies; she lent herself to his
charm willingly, for her own thought;
were very bitter, and escape flom them
was welcome.
They reached the margin of wide
moor; not another human being was
visible on all the broad expanse, OILY
the bleak October sky lowered 'over it,
and low wind moaned across the
heather.
Loveday looked around her with a
shiver.
I don't in the least know where we
are" said she, blankly; "are you quite
sure that YOU do?"
"Trust me, Miss Dellamere, you are
quite safe," said Accrington, with
frank smile which almost reaSsured her;
mo! don't look at your watch. l entreat
you; let me take all care of you for this
once; give me the delight of seeing that
you have perfect faith in me-"
"You treat the matter more seriously
than it deserves" replied Loveday,
somewhat startled; but she had no mo-
tive strong enough to bid her cross his
mood, and slipped back her watch with.
out glancing at it. However, as they
crossed the moor, the only beings visible
upon it, and her wandering eyes encouE.
tered not one familiar landmark, she be.
gan to own secret uneasiness, and to
chide herself for having left her friends
SO far behind as to DO committed to
such a prolonged tete-a.tete with the
Colonel.
= Accr.ngton, observing the turn Of her
thoughts, gradually allowed the conver-
sation to flag, and appeared to share her
gravity, often turning in his saddle to
watch the action Of her mare for min
ute at q time; and, indeed, she began to
notice herself that both the animals
seemed spent, and dropped their heads
wearily.
At last Accrlngton said, with visibly
assumed lightness:
"Will you allow me to have look at
your mares hind shoe? To me she
seems to vince ut every STEP"
A chill misgiving swept over Loveday,
, sudden shocked realization of ner
thoughtless imprudence. Without
word she drew rein and dropped lightly
to the ground without waiting for assist
Gnce.
II begin to fear that it is later, and
that we are farther from home than we
Imagine" said she anXiously, and again
drew out her watch. One glance, and
cry of dismay burst from her-it was
hours past the time when the hunters
were expected to reassembe at Dori-
mant. Bewildered. angered, and dis
trustful, she moved apart from her com.
panion, without needing his exclama-
tions of surprise; she felt as il his prox-
Unity sti1ed her.
An ordinary admirer might have
suffered pang Of sorrow or mortifca-
tion at such movement on his lady's
part whenever her hour Of need came
upon her, but the Colonel only glanced
after her with a peculiar smile, and bent
over Ahmed's hoof while he performed a
slight operation with deXterity worthy
of o prestidigitator. He laid down the
hoof with look Of ominous gloom.
"Come, Miss Dellamere, courage" he
cried, with affected cheerfulness, "there
Ia nothing far wrong with Ahmed yet,
but we must deal gently with her. A
mere cut, which her shoe lrritates; if we
can reach blacksmith in time, he can
shift the shoe and preserve the wound
from painful pressure. We cannot be
far from the village Of Blackrock, where
We sha find help"
Loveday's crimsoning cheek and COM
pressed lips showed her deep annoyance
st such an adventure; how heartily she
reproached herself for the ill-timed pre-
occupation OF nina which had placed
her in such an unwelcome situation. To
be separated from the general company
was bad enough, even had her cavalier
been all old and trusted friend, approved
by her mother; but to be cast upon the
courtesies of Richard Accrington for
long hours-to exhibit herself before the
curious eyes Of BlackrOck with him for
sole compCnion-was a modification she
could not endure.
-If we are near Blackrock, we are not
Eve miles from home," said she coldly,
aand I would infinitely prefer walking
the whole way to making any stop. But
since this mischance has befallen me in
Colonel Accrington's companV. l am
sure he will not refuse to give me all the
assistance may ask of him."
Acyrington bowed. murmuring his de-
votion.
Lend me your horse, then, and allow
mo to hasten home at once and send
him back with servant, who will st-
= r