The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-23

at the loot OF yon pIacR rock. There's Q
current that runs like q mill race:to 2tde
rock-it has got grip of our keel by
now, and we're but q leaf in the storm.
The boding words struck heavily on
the hearts Of the men; eye sought eye
blankly; they were weary and faint
from the toll Of the day.
But Arden's CHEEKY voice rang out
again
4While there's life there's hope" cried
he. any stout men know no fear,
and we're all brave swimmers. see an
inhabited fort on the rock, and II our
ship must go to pieces the people will
doubtless be on the lookout for the poor
castswaYs."
Tho half-drowned sailors burst out
with Q roAsiAg hurrahl Hope returned
when Arden spoke, his gallant spirit in
fused itself into every breast ;
But Kenmore turned away with q look
Of chill unbelief, and fixed his eyes upon
or. Gradually his stern features soft
ened, and his keen eye filed with gentle
emotion.
farewell ! farewell unhappy Dun.
raven" Edgar heard him muttering:
awe seen the curse fall upon You, but
I'll never see 1t lifted. Farewell, fair
injured lsdyl ye will tarry long for leal
Kenmore, as ye've tarried for deliver
ance; they will not come! Farewell to
you, proud Oolava. child Of. sorrow! In
vain do your starry cen shine or tn
lonely main, till a strong hand open
your cage ye Gamma win outl And what!
re'er comes to lady and child, I shanna
be there to see; for old Kenmore will
come again no more! no more!"
Arden listened to this weird outburst
with indescribsble amaze, a strange look
on his face. It was not only that he
was astonished at the revelation Of
passionstely loyal nature in this unbend-
ing old salt or at the pure and poetical
language which he used, enhanced as 1t
was by that plaintive, musical intona.
tion which is only to be heard north OF
Inverness. .....
He listened to the wild lament and
watched the scant and bitter tears OF
old age that started to the old mans
eyes; and in spite Of the peril OF the
moment, sudden fiery curiosity pos
oCSSCo AC 1OlO 90 IL hO Soui0 aoo oAo
until he had fathomed this amazing
mystery. ..,. ...
When Kenmore had ceased to speak
and was sinking into mournful reverie,
Edgar abruptly addressed him,
@What do you know OF Sleat-na-
Vrecken?" sr
Kenmore started and met his eyes
sternly.
II was born upon Sleat-na-Vrecken-
ay, and 1t looks as If I wad cen die at
its foot!" replied he. ....
@Than you know all about it?" said
the young captain, eagerly; @you know
whether the. tower upon its summit Is
not called .Dunraven Tower eh2"
Kenmore's stern face grew fierce, his
beetling brows met over his flashing
eyes in sudden black scowl. '...... .
GWho spake Of Dunraven?" growled
he. ,. ..s ..
sAh! remember now!" cried Edgar
in great agitation; @my lords chart Of
his domains-the little islet in the
northern seas, saw 1t in print, but I
never heard 1t pronounced before, and the
name Of the town was Duuraven!" His
hurrying thoughts went on in silence;
an incredible revelation was opening to
him; he was stunned by it. He had
conned over the great chart Of Inch
cape's possessions with the earl for In.
structor; and there he had seen the tiny
islet -Vrecken crowned by Dun
raven Tower. .,..
"a wild place that" he had said,
laughingly; chow do you pronounce it?"
And my lord had moodily passed 1t by
bfc vof no hod co,,ndod
unnatural when next hs spoke, upon o
far different subject.
And now this Kenmore was lamenting
the fstes Of an injured lady who would
look in vain for her leal Kenmore, and
of proud Oolava, q child Of sorrow,
whose cage door would never be opened
to set her free until some strong hand
came from afar! And 1Arden OF Inch
caue" thought of the beautiful bride
who had died abroad five years ago,
to the utter spelling Of his kinsman's
life; ana of Lord Inchcape's fair
daughter who was supposed to be still
at her education on the Continent; and
it struck him like the lightning's fash
that he had found them-that they were
in yonder Tower Of Dunraven!
@Tell me-" he said, imperiously, laying
his hand upon the pilots shoulder, @who
dwells in Dunraven Tower?"
Kenmore was mute; he gazed in the
young mans face with fierce curiosity.
II see the flag flying from the turret"
cried Edgar, $50 know that member
of the family Is there. Who Is 1t, man?
! command you to tell mel have q
right to know"
Kenmore looked at the imperious young
gentleman from head to foot, and his
smile was grim as death.
MAYBE it's the lord himself" he
to say at last
@No! no! You know 1t Is not" ex-
claimed Edgar. @Why should you like
to deceive me?"
"Honored SIR" quoth Kenmore, dryly.
1if ye wad excuse the freedom I wad
submit that ye had better be saying your
prayers, gin we a. gang to the bottom,
than peering into matters that concern
ye not!"
THAT'S all you know! may have a
deep interest in this matter. Come, open
your stubborn mouth, and tell me what
want to hear"
SMay my tongue rot in my stubborn
mouth before I speak the words!" ex-
claimed the old man fiercely.
There's some strange mystery here"
said Edgar, falling back from before the
vile blaze of hate that shot from those
pale-blue eyes: @Well, well, it is scarcely
the time to pursue clew wheE my life
may just be ending. Yet who can say2
Perhaps may be carried within those
tower walls before the day is done, dead
or alive.
This he muttered to himself, but Ken
more, who was listening closely, retorted
bitterly:
Foul fall the day that sees false