Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-09-25

SWoDt over llm-nC ScOTncu dJ JlldI VII
tuous resolve Why should he not fight
it out, and perhaps win her, and save,
hcr from the mysterious life of unnatural
ycclusion which seemed to await hcr
through no gdit of hers?
And ara'n honor spoke, and he re.
called the love ana duty which he owed
h kinsman, and the entire faith which
he had always felt in his nobility.
He could never have ac'ed unJus1iy
nor cruelty toward his chi d.
Edgar bowed beneath these conflicting
gusts Of passion; his soul was In deep
waters.
During his Illness LAZY Dunraycn had
bccn nu h with him; he could not dls-
associate her constant, lowering pres
ence from the long, burning. rest esS
nights of deirium; nor her eager, spirit
like face from his dcathjiko slumbers,
when nt first sleep came back to him.
AS he grew stronger she still sat with
him hour by hour; pale, burning eyed
pres ncc, that seldom sloke, but loi-
lowed her own breeding thoughts by
the hour; yet always ready with her
sweet kind smile, if he sought her. eyei
or with her small, deft, nervous hands
whom he wanted help. 9th rs served
his material wants; Mr.. Sircombe, my
lord bookish secretary, amably sacri-
feed many hours by his pillow, reading
TO or conversing with him; but he 1elt
as if unhappy EngclOnde had been 20
very G 'ose TO him in spirit through all
the mystic labyrinth of feyer, that he
could noycr regard her with the lmPcr-
sonal interest lie m ght have given an
other woman
HIS unacknowlcdgcd acquaintance
with her secret had also lent such Pc
culiar tender sweetne to his manner
that Lady Dunravcn unconscious y
Welded herself 10 its faS inatiors, and
gradually turned her starved affections
toward him, W th that loveliCst Of scntl
mcnts, the love q woman gives Eer
young brother The romance Of hcr
heart had all been layishcd upon her
husband-she could never take 1t BACK;
but Sic had yet some deep emotions
le t, and Edgar Arden had set item
Towing.
She had Always found strange p cas-
uro in contcmp at ng his features, from
that first night when he lay unconscious
before her: she still INDUCED in these
log mcditativc studies; he would wake
in Il dead of night, when nothing
seemed to live around them save the
roaring sea, to find her bril- iantly spir-
itual face bending toward him out OF
tho darkness, with such yeGrnng looR
that. knowing her secret sorrow, his
w; ole soul would respond to the mute
crv for SYM athy, and he would Ice!
| wild impu Sc t. offer her the service OF Q
true knight if mortal could bring her DC
liverancc from her grief.
Edgar had not conquered himself sc
far as to resolve upon leaving the lslanc
and | Iva Immediately, when an invita-
ton came from Lady Dunrayea to ION
tho ladies in her Darlor if he was 1eellne
capab of the cXertion.
Mr. Sircombe was cool enough u
visit him Whiie he was still coming oVel
the welcome note, with spark ng eye
AMI bonding heart. He came upoI
him. gray a1d haggard, with some prick
ing d scontent fresh upol him, shad'
upon the lovers exultation.
"Ah. that IS right; yoa have forsakei
YOUR invalid hab ts!" said he ahectln!
genial interest He shook hands witt
Edgar. touched his pulse a n oment' am
shook his head with a rallyirg smile
"But yol must not overdO it, Mr. edgar
10 new excrt.on to day. am not quit
satisfied with that pulse. You are to
easily excited. and excitement is special
" to be avoided if you mean 20 escap
from your captivity this week"
81 feel capt ally" said Edgar, unsuS
piciously; 81 mean TO mako my first dc
b It in the ladies' parlors Lady Dun
raven has asked me to try it 10 day."
SircCmbe's hardening face showed ina
he had already learned this item, and tcl
no clatiOn at the prospect.
He hesitated little, then looked SIC
nif, entity at Edgar, and said;
81 would advise you not to try IL Co
day."
aIndcol!" exclaimed Edgar, dryiy'
"Nor ever!" proceeded the director
2 tOncless voice.
Sorry to disobligc you" r torted kC
gar his blood rising at the mans coz
assumption of authority, "but L 1e'
that will accept Lady DunraYen KIN
invitation. Oh, don suffer from anxle'
IN nv account | am far stronger ina
you imagine" he added, ironically
Mr.. Sircombc walked about litt'
knitting his brow and gnaw ng his lip.
He made an abrupt pause in front
Edgar. astonishing him by the intcn'
animosity he betrayed in his face.
81 warn you," said he, quietly; "as OF
who has for many years been lntlma
with the interests of this house, l wal
you not TO take advantage OF the ac'
don't which has thrust you in our mlds
Retire, as you came, stranger; IN l
other way can you so worthlly 1epi
the kindness VIII: ch has been shown yC
here
. Fdgar's own conscience echoed the
words, but MI SircOmbe's invounta
g.are of hatred multiplied them in
Z mouth What personal stake had he
the matter, that ho should Indulge
o personal emotions.
a "Tardon, but l am quite content
/, submit to Lady Dunravcn'S will IN d
p matter" sal Ed ar, calmly; 81 shou
: be sorry, indeed, to cross you in an
thing that concerned yourself.
"Sir, sir, | would have you underS'al
that this matter concerns me near
=. cried SircOmbe in great heat; my 10
, placed me in this house a. his own re
. resen ative i am sole director here.
\ "Do you then wish TO inform me III
$ Lord Dunraven would object to my pa
B! ing my grateful devoirs to the lad ,1s cs
4 this house, TO whom l owe my life
" cried Edgar.
S Aga'n Sircombo walked about I
f room, lowering and ordering at i
g; how to annihilate this persistent anu
Q Onist. -:
1c0n