The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-10


your mare"
Without giving her o chance to utter
o dissenting word he hurried her for.
ward to the pretty rustic vii age inn,
and the prospect Of being relieved from
his presence for even short time went
far to reconcile her to the dreaded ne.
cesslty Of appearing before the public
in the company Of Colonel Accrington.
Content to leave the case thus for the
present, since, deprived of her horse,
she would be completely in his power,
he murmured few last tender reassur-
ances and they were before the "Si,ver.
stream, Arms" the cynosure Of all the
admiring loungors about the inn court
The landlord advanced to receive his
distinguished company, and Accrington
spoke loudly, for the benefit Of the Gu
rious listeners:
"Can this lady obtain private room
for short time, while her pony's hurt
hoof is being examined? We have been
detained behind our party by the acci-
dent and wish to follow them as soon as
possible"
The portly landlady instantly appeared
TO take care Of the young lady, and Ac-
crington presented his hand to assist
Loveday to dismount but she, coldly
waving him aside, rode to the mount
ing block and alighted unassisted, van
ishing with the woman with q formal
bow to her escort When he turned from
watching her departure. moodily. he was
just in time to sec an ostlor in the act OF
extracting sharp flint from the un.
2Dcky Ahmed's hoOf
aIf ye had cast half glance ye would
have seen it yourself, master, grinned
the man, holding it up for inspections
ats wonder the poor brute walked a
STEP"
Accrington !mpatiently hurried him
off with the horses, casting a nervous
look toward the open window near.
Doubtless he feared that Miss Della
mere would be needessly panied If she
overheard the cause of her favoriteI
sufferings
His whole object now was to spin out
the time till it would be too late for
Loveday to take the road for such q
long journey that night He had pro-
posed her betrothal to him; he meant to
propose an elopement now; he was ready
for it. His whole day had been governed
by that intention.
Having sent in some tea to Miss Del
lamere and refreshed himself, he quietly
locked the stable door upon the two
horses and walked away to perfect some
ARRANGEMENTS. This business took him.
to the river bank, to a boat-house OF
which he possessed the key. Having un.
locked this place. he launched beauti-
full little skiff which lay within, rowed
it along the stream until it came under
the inn, and, concealing it under a
clump OF trees, he returned to request
an interview with Miss Dcllamere.
He had delayed to the lust minute he
dared. He was now ready to prove to
Loveday that her only safety lay in mar
rying him at once.
TIE landlord met him with a very
puzzled face.
"Your lady's been wanting to start
off by herself, sir. She wasn't for wait
ing minute after you went" said he.
"Indeed?" muttered Accrington, scowl-
ing with modification. "WeIl, you didn't
let her 20 without me, hore?"
"Oh, No. sir, surely not, since you were
to be right back again. I b'lieve you
took the stable key with you anyhow,
didn't you, sir? Though of course I
didn't say so to her"
II like my horses to eat in peace" said
the Colonel, coolly, handing back the
key and guinea with it "You gave
some decent excuse, suppose, for nol
fetching round her mare?"
"Trust me for that, sir; Doth horses
was off to the blacksmith's getting their
shoes looked to. She then wanted to
hire team with driver, but I put her
off till you would come, Sir"
avery good: you have done right"
said Accrngton; but this continued re-
sistance was unexpected and chafed him
much
. The honest landlord, supposing that
he had stumbled upon pretty lovers
quarrel, went on to Darrate that the
lady asked particularly after her horses
hurt, and was much pleased to hear
that it was mere pebble in the hoof
and that the animal would be as ut for
the road as ever after feed.
"Worse and worse" thought Accring-
ton; "this bungling fool has made her
independent of me, if she has the cour-
age to shake me off; perhaps she even
suspects-pshaw! nothing venture moth
ing win!"
He strobe to her room and knocked;
she instantly opened, but he did not walk
in as he expected, for she held the door
open little way and looked out with
white, rather fierce face.
"I've come for your answer, DEAR" ne
said, gently; "let me in, won't you?" He
smiled ut her, as if amused, but his
heart was chilled.
No, you must not come In" said she.
quickly" "You must 60 away and let
me get home by myself"
"Oh, LoYeday!" he mournfully eX-
claimed.
"Yes! yes! must 60 home to nam.
MAJ will" she burst out with fiery
imperiousness "How could you bribe
these people to detain me against my
will?"
any poor child! you have chafed your
self into fever" lnurmured he, tender
~, "and are allowing miserable suspi-
cions to enter your mind. You shall go
home, my precious girl, this very mo-
ment; come, your slightest wish is law
to me, even though it breaks my heart"
Surprised at this complete submission
and rather ashamed of the ugly suspi-
cions which had been torturing her. she
came forth with downcast eyse and
stood beside him.
"You will et me 60 quite by myself?"
said she, slowly.
"Assuredly, since it is your wish"
"And not even follow me at dis
tance, but stay here?"
II sha not vex you by one sight Of
my hated face, my only love!"
"It-it is not that l hate you," size