The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-05-15

together succeeded IN supersedIng
Colonel Accrington in the heart Of his
betrothed, as he might see for himself
If he witnessed secret meeting between
them-giving time and place. and inso-
lently signing with Accrington's own
name
Auberon did not receive this astound-
Ing warning until it was close on the ap-
pointed hour; and instead OF suffering
the pangs of doubt and jealousy which
Accrington had prepared for him, he
instantly fathomed his rivals desperate
design, and few to rescue his Loveday.
He brought his own fiery hunter; he was
in time to give the diSmayed Mrs. Della
mere o hint of the iniquity on hand, re-
QuestinR her to send her stoutest-hearted
servants to the rear gate In case force
might be necessary; and then he hur-
ried after poor unsuspicious Loveday.
and had the benefit Of the confidential
attitude which Accrington assumed to
convince him Of her guilt
Then the door was locked between
them, and Auberon found himself in the
grasp of Accrington's two rutfian accom-
plices, while his darling was snatched
away; but Edgar Arden had come, late
rs it was, to convey his good news to
Mrs. Dellamere, who sent him after Au'
oeron. He turned the tide OF battle,
and Auberon got free to pursue the ab.
ductor Cd his own feet horse.
He never told Loveday how he had
saved her from the doom of her fierce
lover, from whose convulsive clutch he
had torn her through the open carriage
door, while yet the vehicle was swaying
on the brink; nor how she had lain
across that awful brink in merciful un-
consciousness of the dreadful sight,
which Auberon followed with eyes start
Ing from their sockets and blood freez.
ing in his veins.
When Loveday was once more clasped
In her mothers arms, and Auberon and
Edgar were about to retire to attend to
sadder duties, she beckoned Edgar to
her and placed the precious confession
in his hand, explaining its meaning.
"Thank God" he said, fsrvently. u
had ceased to hope for this"
He hurried straight to Lord 1nchcape,
and in silence presented the still sealed
envelope to him, signing him to read.
In deep surprise the nobleman broke
the seal and drew forth a folded paper,
opened, and found it blank!
aIncredible treachery!" cried Edgar,
in sudden fierce contempt u gave him
credit at least for sincerity to her!" and
he told the whole story OF Miss Della
mere:s devotion to his lordships cause,
and the fatal sequel.
Yes Richard Accrington had delib-
erately plotted the whole thing; his
promised reparation was but ruse tc
bring Loveda7 into his power, the so
called document merely bait to secure
her by. What need for him to write his
own condemnation If he never meant TO
use 1t?
This discovery greatly added to Inch:
cape's horror at his end; it would have
been one bright spot in the black picture,
had he really entertained noble inten-
ton which sudden overpowering tempta-
ton, aided by opportunity, had over.
thrown; but that he could lie to the in
nocent being whom he profesSed to love,
ave, did love with despairing tenacity
such an end was revolving beyond
words.
And so seemed to end all hope Of Lord
Inchcape's vipdicatlon in the eyes OF that
powerful bureau who suspected him.
Who could right the wrong, now that
the wronger was dead?
Lord Inchcape and Edgar had intended
to start for the north early the next
morning, but Edgar entreated his kins-
man to 60 without him, as he wished to
pay all becoming honor to his late polit-
ical foe.
"Only give me one PROMISE" said he,
shat you will reserve for me the duty OF
making known to Lady 1nchcape and
Lady Ulva who am. In week hope
to Join you in Sleetna-Vrecken; 1t Is q
short time to keep q trivial secret like
that, since they will be so happy that
they will never think Of me-"
My lord gazed with arrested attention
In the noble young face before him; he
noted the suppressed fire and emotion
expressed thereon, and he gave him his
hand and his promise without a word OF
comment
The next morning saw them far apart,
and the road lengthening hourly.