The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-13

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lord, and that MIR. Sircombe's object in
questioning the maid was to infuse
doubts Of her mistress fidelity into her
mind, that l might be judged and con.
demned by my household.
Mr. Sircombe had never welcomed a
mistress to his patrons house, his had
been the post of confidential adviser to
Lord lnchcape too long for him to give
1t up gracefully: -.--~----
Night fell, the first which had seen my
lord sundered from me.
In that lonely suburb perfect silence
reigned; I fingered on the balcony out
side my chamber windows hour by hour,
needless of the passage Of the night
abandoning myself to my sorrow.
While I watched and prayed there
came to me from afar the light beat OF
horses hoofs-I almost thought 1t fancy,
for who could be coming to me out Of
the heart Of the hot sweet tropic night,
whose golden moon shone on all loved
many q long league away?
But it was no fancy-on It came, I
heard the shiver Of harness, the clash OF
armor; horseman was Ralloping
toward me; through tho dense foliage l
caught the blue glimmer Of steel as he
rode up to the gate. A dark pre-.
sentiment rooted me to the spot
thought that the foes had fought, that
my lord was wounded or slain, and
that Kenmore had returned to tell the
tale.
Cinglng to the marble balustrade I
awaited the coming OF the messenger.
He dismouGIsed at the gate. and strode
through the clustering shadows of the
gardens; ! shook out my handkerchief in
mad impatience, and he swerVed and
came toward me. But it was not tho
rugged form of old Kenmore that burst
from the shadowy alleys into the lam
bent moonshine. 1t was my wicked
lover, it was his face, worn and desper.
ate, which looked up at me.
"Hush!n he murmured again, "and do
not taunt me--be more merciful. Why
did you not answer my letter? Had you
done so would not have been goadcd
to this madness No, madam, have not
deserted my post; have but left the
camp where my Lord Inchcape sleeps in
peace-I hope to return before l am
missed. Lady Inchcape, cannot leave
you-it may be foreyer-without your
forgiveness. For that sued you in my
letter, for that have ventured back
here tonight All, be kind for once,
and give me one gentle word!"
In soft, imploring tones he spoke, and
the haggard WEAKNESS OF his upraised
face might have touched me but for the
memory Of the suffering he had brought
upon my lord.
@There can be no kindness between
you and me; you have dared to write
me, clandestine letter. Well, listen to
me; have not read it. You have come
in the depth of night to pay me COM
promising visit-you shall gain nothing
by that but disgraceful exposure. I
shall call my household to protect me
from the insulting presence OF mid
night intruder"
zone such call and you are ruinedl"
said he, fercely. Beware; you can
turn my love to hate, and goad me on to
seek revenge"
"I defy you-do your worst!" cried,
turning away.
"Do you indeed deliver up my Lord
Inchcape to my vengeance?" exclaimed
he laughing; thanks, fair coquette, for
carte blanche"
But while I heard the menace in
trembling dread, his words were checked
by the sound Of galloping hoofs. any
lord has walked" he went on with sud-
den deadly calmness, "has missed his
colleague-has permitted jealous suspi-
cion to enter his breast-has deserted
his post in his turn to enact tkD role OF
private petective. He is ccme-he finds
his mourning wife amusing herself with
the balcony scene lc Romeo and Juliet
now for sensation that will make the
world wonder!"
Surely my reason must have forsaken
me that stood there in that damning
presence, to be discovered by jealous
lord. Why did not fly, call up Mr..
Sircombe, my maid, any one, rather than
to cling to the fatal spot in = trance OF
terror ut the meeting Of the enemies?
And it was my lord who sprang from
his, steed, and burst through the scented
jungle to confront Colonel Accrington,
who with folded arms and a taunting
smile awaited him under my balcony.
Oh, my lord! my lord! had the throb-
bings Of my heart been words, you would
have known that you had no cause for
the fury which turned your wholesome
blood to GALL But appearances were so
black-so black, and I could utter no
word.
A mockery or two banded between
them, a muttered phrase, and they
moved away together, the colonel wav-
Ing his hand in jaunty adieu to me; but
Lord Inchcape had no single look or word
for his suspected wife. The shadows
swallowed them up
Then my locked senses stirred. I fed
to summon my lords secretary; he
opened to my loud knocking. He was
fully dressed, as l had thought, and had
ben listening to all that was said, at his
open window: confusion and dismay were
imprinted on his visage.
''Mr. Sircombe," I said, "you, who
have heard what passed between Colonel
Accrington ard me, know how little
cause there Is tor my lord to be jealous;
20 and give your testimony to him, you
will prevent bloodshed."
He went out, but with tardy steps,
hesitating, biting his nails, his busy
brain scheming as he went, his furtive
eye scanning me.
The clash OF rapiers guided US to tho
opmbatants, but before we could reach
them one had fallen. 1t was my lord
Srho bic h1odo