The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-17
lnto . situation where I learned al, IN.

Voluntarily"
Dark grew the proud Earl's brow. He
gazed upon the unweIcome discoverer OF
his disgrace with painful earnestness.
Edgar then narrated the circum-
stances which had cast him upon Sleat-
ma. Vrecken; his recognition Of Dunraven
Tower as one of Lord Inchcape's proper
ties which he had seen in the chart; his
amazement upon discovering q young
and lovely Lady Dunraven, and his in
evitcbe Identification of her. And as he
detailed this portion Of his life at Sleat-
na-Vrecken, when he lay sick and help
less, visited daily by that gentle, melan-
choly lady-how tenderly he portrayed
her in her pining sorrow, and described
the unutterable eloquence Of her patient
suffering, which pleaded with him day by
day to deliver her from her undeserved
misery!
SWithout one word from her, all that
was most honorable in my manhood rose
up within me to fight her battles" said
Edgar, watching with eager hope the
shifting expressions Of the nobleman's
countenance. "And then, was not her
kinsman, bound to her, cause by tho
>ary accident that revealed her to me2'
"Ah!" muttered Lord Inchcape, rising
from his chair to lean upon the chimney.
p:ece and bury his face in his hands.
Edgar told of his conva escence, OF
his grief at witnessing Lady Inchcape's
incurable melancholy; and as he pict-
ured her spirit.like pallor and the febrile
CLEAN Of her hollow eyes which never
smiled Lord Inchcape stihed q choking
sigh He told how he had prayed her
to make him her friend, and how at last
she had trusted in him, and given him
the written story Of her misfortune.
@And when I had read it," continued
he, with thrilling earnestness, Il saw
that these past five years Of miserable
estrangement between my loved Lord
Inchcape and his lady had been utterly
causeless."
"Ah, generous young heart; tits but
natural that you should think SOL" ex-
claimed Lord Inchcape, hoarsely: "but
what will cast out fell suspicion from
my heart? l would give my life to be-
lieve!"
Edgar spread the manuscript before
him.
"You will believe when you have read
this!" exclaimed he, with sparkling eye;
sand +hen shall prove my lady's truth.
Sdu yOu tudu'
"Yes, I am sure I can! But first
have favor 10 ask. Will you summon
Mr.. Sircombe here upon matter OF
business?"
Lord Inchcape dispatched a telegram
instantly. Edgar explained that he had
not avowed his identity, consequently
that Mr. Sircombe would come to Inch
cape Fosse utterly unsuspicious OF his
presence there; and that through this
surprise he hoped to wiring the truth
from his lips He did not choose to re-
veal to Lord Inchcape the attempt which
Mr.. Sircombe had made on his life: he
was keeping that as secret by which
he might influence Sircombe.
Lord Inchcape's hands trembled as he
turned over the many pages written in
her own defense by his once idolized
Engelonde; the harsh and saturnine ex-
preston of his face melted away; un-
speakable anguish and tender, pining
regret looked from his fixed and dream
ing eyes.
Edgar turned away that he might not
Bpy upon the proud hearts softened
mood; his own eyes were wet, his own
heart swelled with tender hope.
At length he heard Inchcape dash
down the unread papers, with grating
laugh.
"Fool!" he muttered, beginning to
pace the floor restlessly; ITO think that
I should ever again dream Of happiness
Dr. love; !, whose name is mark for
Scorn through traitors falsehood!"
@You mean Accrington!" interrupted
Edgar, eagerly. @And Accrington is
here, within my reach. He shall con.
fess."
Inchcape grasped his hand and wrung
it, while his eyes glistened.
"You know all then, my boy; and you
believe in my integrity?" faltered he.
ayes, my lord; your wife has told me
the story-taught me how utterly guilt
less you were. All, my lord, when you
read what she has written, you will do
her the same justice which she does
you"
[To BE coNT1NcED,l