Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-12-11

truth at last" said Lord Inchcape,
sternly.
Sircomte sank hsck in his chair half
fainting. HIS only thought was that in
some supernatural way Lord lnchcape
had discovered the truth Of the young
strangers di appearance.
For a moment he wish d that he ha6
in his pocket pinch of poison, that he
might swallow it before his ruin fell up
on him.
Utterly spec ,hess, he could only
glare at his patron and struggle for
breath.
81 see you know too we'll to what al
lude," cried Lord Inchcape, in sudden,
fierce triumph "Your very looks n
denim you, and prove that foul wrong
has been done the innoceut!"
"MercY, mercy" my lordl" gasped
Sircombe, far too bewildered to pick his
words. ait was done on the impul Of
moment of madness, and bitterly re
pented-aye, with tears Of torturng
anguish.
"Strange repentance, that brought no
reparation." cried Lord Inchcape, scorn-
fully; sand that allowed you to live at
ease In the very presence Of your un-
happy victim!"
"Oh, God forgive me-" groaned the
wretched man, convinced that al was
discovered by the Earl, and overwhelmed
with shame and fear. "If my life could
purchase his, would yield it up gladly"
While Lord Inchcape was staring in
astonishment at this incomprehensible
speech the door opposite Sircombe
swung open and Edgar Arden stood be-
fore him.
He started up, glare1, gave one
scream, aad fell in dead faint
Lord Inchcape's eyes inquired OF Ed
gar the meaning Of all this.
"Leave him to me, now, my lord, "
whispered Edgar radlantly. "All is GO
ing on admirably. Express no surprise,
only speak when look at YOU"
A minute or two restored the secre-
tary, he got up from the carpet with Ed
gar's help, and flung himself into his
chair with groan, covering his face
with his hands.
He had never tainted in his life be-
fore; but he was not a strong man phys
ically, and his recent distress Of mind
had reduced what strength he had; be-
sides, the sudden apparitioa of the man
he had supposed dead in the cell of the
Southern Bastion, was enough to over
come any one.
And 0w, as he covered there before
the two gentlemen, he was thinking him
self ruined man; even the acute relief
Of finding his victim alive, and himself
no murderer, was not enough to beguile
him from his dread of consequences
"You see there was a mistake about
my fate," said Edgar as soon as he
thought Sircombe was able to follow his
meaning. "I was saved from cruel
death, which would have left Lord Inch
cape without his heir" Sircombe
started and dropped his hands from his
ghastly face ayes, am Edgar Arden,
continued Edgar, "and although en-
tered Dunraven Tower by accident
ignorant of Lady Inchcape's presence
there, l soon recognized her, and as
sumed my privilege as a relative to care
for her welfare. I induced her to con
fde her sorrow to ne; l learned the
whole history; and left Sleat-na- Wreck
en- pledged 10 vindicate her as true wife
to my Lord Inchcape. He has sum-
moned you to repair the foul wrong you
have done Lady Inchcape by withhold
ing testimony which would have proved
her innocence. And, Mr.. Sircombe, [
advise you tc do So" added Edgar sig
nfcantly, and forcing the secretary to
meet his eyes.
The whole situation was Gear to Sir
combe now.
BY his agitation at first he had so
eliminated himself that he must confess
to some wrong which he had committed;
it was evident that Arden had not as yet
exposed the attempt made on his life to
Lord Inchcape, and that he meant to
compel a confession on Lady Inchcape's
behalf as the price Of his silence. AnX-
iously reviewing what he had said in the
interview, he believed that he had be-
trayed nothing that would not fit in as
remose for his guilt toward Lady Inch
cape at all events, he was caught in a
trap-he must confess to something.
"I am ready to do anything l can for
Lady Inchcare," said he, humbly. "ln-
deed, l should have supplicated Lord
Inchcape on her behalf long ago, had l
supposed he wished to believe her inno-
cent"
"Hypocrite!" exclaimed the Earl in
dignant y. "Long ago L would have
taken her back to my heart, even had
she been guilty Of loving another, but
for your insidious whisperingsl Oh, how
] have been betrayed And deservedly;
how could dare to doubt her"
He turned away with clenched hands
and scowling brow; grief, shame and
anger gnawed at his heart
"What we require Of you, said Edgar,
as that you will endeavor to recall a
certain conversation which took place
between Lady Inchcape and Colonel
Accrington that night when duel was
fought in conse uence. The position Of
your room rendered 1t impossible for
you to avoid hearing every word that
was spoken by Lady Inchcape, who
stood on the balcony above your ocen
window, and by Colonel Accrington, who
stood in the garden before It,,
"Your testimony will prove her inno-
cence, and show how hopeless was Ac-
or ngton's pursuit of her. Be careful
then, that you do not falsify one sylla-
bic. This, sir, is the only reparation
You can offer for the grlevous wrong
you have done"
Sircombe writhed in humiliation. |
How soemnly he had affirmed that he
had heard nothing, in those days when
Lord Inchcape's faith in his wife hung |
upon his testimony.
And now he must stultify himself; he |
must expose his crooked policy, and show
that in o. der to maintain a comfortable
ascendency in his patrons house he had
done his best to keep husband and wife
sundered for years! Fain would he hare
tn rnpOl1ont q VOID Of tho rom