Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-09-11
stiaed s.gh tchlnd thcm cause.


thcv bchold, vii Ii far die crent feelings,
the dark and scowling face of Accrin5'
ton.
He had hand placed on the back of
each lady's chair, and stood thus close
to the hostess with as assured front a.
if he had been the mcst welcome guest
present. Resolved to face down the ef-
feet of Inch apes Insult before witnesses
lad an opportunity TO come to unani-
nous opinion IN discu sion among them
selves. and, trusting to thoir ignorance
of tho real circumstances he had calmly
walked in through tc very door by
which he had been expelled, as soon as
he saw Lord Irchcape's departure; and
here he was, drinking in with passion
ate delight the fresh young loveliness CT
the Fairy Queen: AMI scowllng ica'ously
upon tho too handsome youth who
seemed, by common Verdict, 10 be her
chosen mate,
AS the two ladies turncl a~ound,
Colonel Accrington met their startled
rae with a soft and melancholy smile.
"Am l inGe such a forgotten eXl G
that the GfaceS cannot recognize me?"
breathcd he His voice was low and cx-
pressivc, his manner chivalrouS. Few
ladies could have wthstoOd his power,
when he chose to exert it. but these
ladies had memories concerning him that
fortified them.
"You must pardon my amazemcnt," d"
said Mrs. Crecy, icily; 81 certa My never
expected Richard Accrngton TO visit
Stafford. again"
She did not extcrd her hand. the
Colonel bit his lirs in chagrn, and bowed
low to conceal the telta'e omission from
the on-lookers. 1t had lccOme an object
of ambition to him to stand we'll with
Stafford; if he cou not compel this OPP
ular woman to receive him under her
roof. he would commence his intended
career there heavily weighted by suS-
picon. lie knew 1nchrape lofty Pride
which void not permit Ii nj to tX! ose
the cause OF their cnmity; and ii no enc
else knew that secret Of ting past he be-
lievcd that he could have his will in Sa-
ford
"You have seen the silly, bewitcheI
moth fiuttering rounl tho ame," SAID
he, softly, and Mrs. Dcllamcre caught
his insinuating side glance: during my
weary absence from cd Eng and, sal
ford was my fame, for there | had left
my treasures of friendship and hope. |
have dared to be true to the past | have
como back to my flame.
Mrs. Crocy was silent, for the first
time in her gent life snccr cuficd her
lips
Mrs. Del amerc forced hersc + to speak
with bland Indifference.
"IIOw absence from bull dog Eng and
poishes one! Or is it your dip onat.c Il. e
that has lent such French sentiment and
fer, or to your style?"
Accrington rcyCngcd tie mOckcry Ly
bending and looking her in the eyes with
a lurking devil in his own. A small
burning lame leaped up in her y
check, she Quaicd and tn; ned ON him
fercc'y.
The amlabe Mrs. Crecy obserfcd this
by-pay with s.ckening apprehension;
she was recalling the scene she had W.T.
messed that last day five yea ago, when
Richard Accrington and aura Della
mere had parted. TO think that he
could touch her heart strings, Oh, proud
Laura, whore is your naughty spirit
now?
But lie was her lover once, Eer first
lore before her spcndthrift father so d
her to Cd Niles Dellamerc, the cotton
millionaire; Laura and Richard were
once what Lovcday and A boron are
now, playmates, conn anions-fittcd by
Natu @ her eff to be each others mates
Just now the play was done, the cur
tain down; friends clustered round
them; Squire Crecy discovered the Coo
no with shout of welcome, and Arch
eri'ed stumped over to him with grim
triumph and red fst extended In the
confusion the two ladies' retired arm in
arm from tho thea or, and sought the
bi ou grocn-roOm, where the syIphldes
and their queen were merrily chatting
| over their lato efforts.
sWhy did Laura Dclamere draw her
| beautiful child to her bosom with such
unwonted fcrvor, AID hold her there
against her heavily thrObbing heart,
while she dropped soft, silent kisses
upon her sikcn hair and wondering,
sweet eyes?
Why did Mr.. Cr cy, watching them,
after the swift, eager prayer in her
heart. ooh, God, Protect the incocent?"
! Thev were remembering the rapt gaze
J Of Richard Accrngton-the passionate
admiration, the stitlcd sigh with which
he had watched little Lo5cday through
her fairy dance.
Richard Accrlngton was the son OF a
decayed gentleman Of good birth; he
had made his own way in the word, en-
tered the army as ensign in the da;s OF
his homage. poverty and love; was Tilted
by Laura Paget, daughtcd OF ruined
baronct, and vowed to climb fortune S
ladder and wiring her heart some day,
served abroad with brilliant gal aItry,
and come home colonel and lion,
The first time they met after her rcr-
lidy, lie chose a day, they say, when
there was o grand muster of London 6
proudest in madam's splendid drawing
rooms (they had artcd with passionate
kisses in the parlors of hcr fathers tum
ble-down manSionl and he strodc through
the throng, his uniform and glitterina
medals opening path for him wherever
he would GO and buzz OF miration
following his internal beauty AMI dis
tinGuished celebrity
So he stood before her. who had vow,
cd by her maiden love TO be true to him
forever, and he answered her stricken
gaze with SIN le as cruel as the grave
TO BE CONTINUED.
GEORGIA has unique railroad
frain which IL dpscribpd nv the A +.