The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-02
CHAPTER ".
TIE TRUTH REVEALED.

Beatrice Mercer was seated at desk
correcting some exercises of the pupils,
her own portfolio spread out before her.
The color died from her face as she
recognized. her visitor, then it turned
deep-red with reactionary emotion.
His thoughts were too full of Edna to
allow OF his reading, Alright the tremu-
lous emotion, the half-repressed fright
that his hostess betrayed
Miss Mercer" he spoke, hoarsely,
II have come to ask Of you the irfor-
nation that Miss Chandler refuses.
Why did Edna Deane leave the semi.
nary? Where has she gone2"
Il cannot tell you"
His eyes flashed excitedly. He
clenched his hands in an excess Of suf-
fering and suspense.
you must" he gasred, frantcally.
do you understand what I am endur-
ing? Doubt-anguish-h breaking!
From beneath her veiled eyelids the
girl studied his working face. Crafti-
ness was there, but we'll masked. A
sinister triumph in her heart gave her
strength to simulate.
Il pity you, she said, softly. Il
would be glad to tell you all, but 1t is
useless"
"Useless?"
yes. She has left the seminary,
Hopedale, her friends, forever. She has
gone 10 her relatives under VOW never
to reveal her true identity, Happy in
her new life, with golden promises Of
wealth, you must not blame her i'm
petuous nature If she finds new friends
bp 10 har fnruat tho ni0 "
How well the shaft went home! The
blank despair, the settled conviction Of
raithlessness in the mans face was
pitiable to witness.
"She left no word for me?" he forced
himself to ask.
mo. She wrote a letter to Mr.. Bar
ton Brinsley, but it is unmanly for you
to have me betray my friend"
Speak" ordered Marshall, fiercely.
"Do you not see that this suspense le
killing me?"
Then know the worst" answered
Beatrice, bulking all her fancied power
on final venture. She wrote to Bnr-
ton Brinsley. This morning he leh
Hopedale. Miss Chandler says he has
gone away on business. l think it is tc
see Edna's new relatives and lress his
suit there. Mr.. Marshall, oh, why will
you force me to tell these bitter truths?
Forget her,-she is unworthy OF you.
! She never knew her own mind. There
are truer hearts, hearts longing for a
love they would cherish and never be.
tray"
His head had sunk on his breast. He
believed now. and his heart was broken.
Beatrice had drawn nearer to him.
| Her ewes aglOw. her checks throb bin@.
her hand upon his arm, heart and sou
breathed forth the secret that had made
her life one great void Of misery since
she had first seen his handsome, earn es
face.
With q shock he looked up. Wonder
ment, intelligence il his glance, it drove
her back abashed.
Her face betrayed her secret, sh
loved him! His face told unmistakabl.
that he read that secret Alright.
"Oh! how could 1: But pity you so
Think me unwomanly, but If your hear
is breaking so is mine. Go, Mr.. Mar
all-Raymond-go! and leave me t
tine wretchedness of the secret you
suffering has wrung from my lips.
She was sobbing, shrinking, now. II
CONSERVATION her companion regarded
her. She loved him This had bee
the secret of her wayward moods
DESPITE himself a great wave OF pit.
swept his chivalrous heart.
Il ain sorry" he said brokenly. u
true woman's regard is better than
false friends treachery. Misc Mercer
when leave you, it is never to know
happiness again, but I may know th
peace of having done my full duty if
trace this affair down to the last.
must see Edna-she shall tell me fror
her own lips what l already know
Then 1 am content to cherish my miser,
in silence. Speak! Win my gratitude
at least, by telling me whittier she ha
gone"