The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-05-22
CRUEL
AS
THE GRAVE,
The Secret of DunpaVen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author Of f"Fsithful Margaret" ETC., Etc
CHAPTER Xx-(Continued.)

with look of solemn Joy.
@How we have sorrowed for him!" She
murmured "Never was friend more
bitterly mourned II you only knew tho
mobility of his heart-but you shalli
isince he Is alive he shall be my OWE
special protege, and the first boon
shall ask Of my dear lord will be to es
tablish his prospects.
~You like him much, then?" asked
Lord Inchcape with quiet enjoyment
sAnd Ulva-did you say she also mournef
for him?"
A swift change passed over the ladyi
face.
aUlva!1 she whispered. II had for
potten-How shall ! break this won
derful news to her!" she faltered, and
blushed; her eyes fell before the search
ing gaze of her husband, yet she nestled
towards him with fond submission. "ln
this first dear hour Of reunion / cannot
withhold anything from my lord" she
murmured. "Who and-what this young
man is know not since he never OBJ.
truded his personal affairs upon my at.
,tention. But this I know, that no
nobler heart beats than Mr.. Edgar's; ne
is a true gentleman, and merits all the
friendship which can show him until
the day Of my death. But / have to
confess, that, selfshly absorbed In my
own sorrow, never dreamed OF danger
to our darling Ulva. 1t was only since
we believed him drowned that 1 discoV-
ered-that-her grief for his death was
as deep-aye, deeper far than my own.
Scarcely daring to speak above q
whisper she brought this out, and timidly
raised her eyes to read the shocked dis
appreciation she expected from Ulva's
naughty father; but his countenance
was inscrutable.
"And the young man-what were DIS
sentiments?" asked he gravely.
HThat I would give much to know,
sighed my lady; "bpt believe he gave
mo expression to them, even to Ulva,
who to be sure was seldom tete a-tete
with him. Alas! his honor will now
stand il the way Of any future explana'
.tion. If he loves her he will never ap-
tproach her again. I know that true
heart we'll. Long and anxiously ]
studied his nature before chose him
for my friend. All, I see now his reason
for leaving US in ignorance OF his escape
from death here. He feared his own
theart and fed from temptation: He
must have had some noble reason, for he
was as tender as he was brave and
would not wantonly afflict US "
"He will be here in few days and
will doubtless explain ALL" said my lord,
with smile, which showed the aston
;1shed lady that her confession had not In
the least Disconnected him.
NY Lord and Lady Inchcape entered
Dunraven tower together for the first
time.
Every domestic about the premises
had been called up by Kenmore and
'marshaled in the vestibule to do honor
to the occasion; and beautiful Ulva re-
eeived her parents in her arms with love
and sympathy unspeakable
During the evening which followed
she could not but watch her stepmother
in her new happiness with an admirar
tion very near being awe, so dazzling
was the beauty Of her countenance, so
fascinating her personal manner.
Every look, word and motion was In.
stinct with charming soul, her whole
being radiated pure JOY. 1t was impos-
sible to look up and meet her liquid smil-
ing 6ark eyes softly resting upon her
without experiencing vague assurance
of happiness in store even for herself.
Ulva's unSpoken grief seemed lighter
for the first time; she could believe it
possible that God would show her how to
bear her sorrow nobly.
And the romance OF her parents re-
union comforted her; it was SO sweet to
know that although her life was not to
be so blessed there was true bliss yet
upon the earth for others.
But what said tho maiden's sad phi
losophy when Lady IEchcape, coming
into her room to bid her goodnight,
drew her into her arms with burst OF
tender delight, and bade her, in thrill.
ing voice, sorrow no more, since there
was no more cause.
"For he is not drowned, Ulva, and he
Is good and true as we thought him, and
we shall see him again-very soon, VI.
va, darling, very soon!"
CHATTER XXI.
srHE FAIREsT DAY THAT EVER DAwNED ON
INCHCAPE."
Lord Inchcape sought his daughter
one day where she sat alone, plunged in
maiden reverie, and smile was on his
face.
"See what I have brought for my Ul-
va to wear on this bright day." said he,
laying an open case in her lap "They
we're your mothers pearls; they giim-
mered round her graceful throat. and
from her ears and breast, when first my
eyes rested upon her, and l have always
kept them for a day in your life like
that. | should like you to change this
careless toilet at once, my child. She
wore the stately attire becoming her
beauty and rank, and so should her
daughter to-day"
And why to day, papa?" asked Ulva.
wonderingIy, her HANDS Trembling among
the shimmering gems
because guest is at the door who,
OF all that could come over the sea to
Sleat-na- -Nrecken, most desire to honor.
Don your fairest apparel, then, and your
kindiest smile, for this is the faireSt and
kindest day that has dawned on Inch
cape fo1 many a wasted year. Come,
Ulva; do you tremble, do you fear, and
It is your father who bids you be gladp
Can you not trust me? My own sweet
girl, look up, and read the love in my
eyes: there, could l wiring your little
hearth"
No, no, not II truth speaks in human
countenaucel She allowed him to raise
her by her two hands. and 20 lead her to
q window, ard when she had stolen
another timid glance at his clio luent
face, wonderful possibility flashed
upon her: away fed all her sickening
apprehensions of some unknown per-
sonage coming With her fathers sane
tion to demand her hand.
@Who Is coming, paEa?" she whis-