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

Some other witnesses had come for
ward then, with his test nony which the
Earl had noted down, and which was to
be test of his own truth now. AS.
sisted by these notes, there could be no
more shamm ng 70, getfulness he must
speak out.
"In What terms did the Colonel men,
tion you?" proceeded Lord InchcaEe.
"Inso entity" answered Sircombe, who
had never forgotten or forgiven the i'm
pertinence. "And coupled with an
odious nsinuation. He implied that my
lords secretary would not hesitate 10
trade on my lady's secrets If he could
see his advantage in it Lady lnchcape
allowed the SANDER to pass unQues-
toned, which injustice naturally irri-
tated me, for my attachment to my
patrons interest had been most devot ID. "
"And this Is your excuse for the in
Jury you did her?" said Inchcape, con-
temptuously. "How bind,y / have
trusted q cravent But proceed. What
was Lady Inchcapes reply?"
"She asked why he had deserted his
post, or some such reproach The
Colonel, l think, excused himself by
quoting his desire for reconciliation
before they should part; he spoke as
lover would speak.
"You give very free trans alton, sir,
exclaimed Lord Inchcape, sternly; Gre
memter that have the truth before me-
and be more exact / shall suffer no
distortions. Richard Accrington spoke
as lover, true, but was it not as a
scorned and rejected lover? Answer
me-"
"He did sue for moro mercy, now re-
member" reluctantly owned Sircombe,
whose stubborn pride revolted at every
self condemning admission he was
obliged to make.
"Well, and the lady's answer?"
"She reproached him for writing her
ciandestine letter. and for the impudence
of paving her compromising visit at
such an hour" He stopped Short
gnaWing his lip
"ContinueI" thundered Lord Inchcape.
"My lord, can recall no more, " pro-
tested Sirconbe, enjoying the equivOca
light he had put the lady's words in.
"Was it anything like tn So" demanded
the Earl, who read as follows: There
can be no amity between you and me.
You have dared to write me clandcs-
tire letter; well, listen to mel have
not read it, You have come back to pay
me a compromising visit; you shall gain
nothing by that but disgraceful expos
ure; for l am about to call my house
hold to protect me from the insu is of
midnight intruder Well, Mr.. Sir
combe, do you recollect these words?"
Sircombe bowed in silence. What use
to rebel any longer? He saw that Lord
Inchcape was in possession Of the truth,
and that Edgar Arden was ready to de-
nounce him if he evaded it.
"Can you recall Colonel Accrington's
response?" demanded my lord.
at was a menace, fercely delivered.
He spoke of his love turning to hatred
and revenge. My lady then detied him.
and the Colonel taunted her with deliv-
ering over your lordship to his ven
geance, and promised to work his will
rupon YOU At that. moment II j am
not mistaken, they heard the appoach OF
your lordship, and Colonel Accrlngton
amused himself by painting the srspi-
cious appearance thcir situation must
have in a jealous husbands eyes, and by
prophesying- the scandal which would
ensue, There was no answer from Lady
Inchcape; when next l h ard her voice
she was at my door, ordering me to fol-
low you and Colonel Accrington."
Lord Inchcape laid down the manu-
script, and rose with a long breath.
He fixed his quiet gaze upon his
treacherous secretary.
"You have strugg ed hard to maintain
the appearance of having suspected
Lady Inchcape," said he. sternly; "and
of course | understand why. 1t was the
only excuse for the part you have since
played between her and me.
"But now, in the far of this testi
mony, corroborated as it has been by
yourself, dare you still harbor the faint
est shade of susp cion against that
guitless lady? Speak, sir; will be an
swered."
Raging and sickening with shame, the
secretary was forced to part with this,
his last, poor rag Of defense; for Edgars
fiercc eye blazed upon him as he hesi-
tatcd, and the whitening scCrn of Inch
cape's glance convinced him that he was
not to be deuded.
81 believe in her innocence, muttered
he, with bowed head and ashen lip
"And always Nave?" pursued the Earl.
"And always havel" whispered Sir
combe; and he buried his face in his
hands with a groan of heartfelt degrade
tion.
But my lord and his young kinsman
turned toward each other with out.
stretched hands; eye sought eye in un-
speakable emotion. Forgotten was the
crushed wretch behind them; the last
faint doubt of sweet Engelonde Inchcape
was cleared away--her husbands heart
trusted in her as of yore.
One strong hand clasp, and m mor:ent-
ary paling Of the majestic face, and my
lord was himself again
sand this l owe to you, Edgar!" he
sa!d fervently
swell, my boy, cannot ftly thank
you; but trust the time may come when
l may possess the power to give you the
desire of your heart, as you have this |
day given me the desire Of m me-"
lie was interrupted by sudden move
ment of Sircombes he was cropping |
blndly for the door, his ia pale as
n. and convulsed with despair.
The two men regarded him in dismay; |
no mortal spending sickne s could have !
turned the man more haggard, old, or |
broken, than had the into cradle expos
ure Of his baseness. Ay, but was there |
not something more intolerable?
Had not the last blow fal en-, when my |
Lord Inchcape vowed TO give Edgar Ar
den the desire of his heart, If it ever
should be in his power to do so?
And did not Edgar Arden lo;e sweet |
Ulva, daughter Of this gratfuI Inchcape? |
Could it be possible, in this strange