Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-12-11
The Secret Of DunpaYen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author of"Faithful Margaret" ETC.. Eto
CHAPTER XvI.-Continued.


and threw back his head with satir cal
look, which almost disguised his fierce
agitation.
sand may one ask what power have
in the matter?" demanded he.
"Tho power Of the wrOnger to make
reparation to the wrCnged!" answered
Edgar, sternly. "COl. Accrington, it is
useless to maintain any disguises. L
have learned the whole history of your
dealings with Lord Inchcape ard his
unhappy lady; and have come to you
60 entroat you for Justice to them. "
For oment it seemed as II Ac-
cIington must spring upon him, so fierce
was Tho glare of his eyes, as he glow
cred with rage and shame: but he st'rn-
ly controlled him elf, and stood white
and mute, with clenched hands and
quivering pu SOS, while Edgar wont CS
speaking.
at was not Lcrl Inchcape whotold
me the story; deeply as he has suffered,
know he would perish on the rack be-
fore he would sue your mercy, or allow
you to be sued on his behalf. BY a
strange chance l learned it, neverthe'
less, and l call upon you to set the wife
right with the husband, and my Lord
Inchcape right with his colleagues who
doubt his integrity through your
agency"
Accrington was too proud to deny; he
saw that Arden had the truth, and that
eQuivocation wou.d not blind him.
He sprang TO soc that the door was
fast, and remained in that end Of the
apartment, pacing swiftly to AMI fro
the only relief he permitted his violent
excitement while he strove to see the
whole Importance of this exposure in its
relations to his ambitious schemes.
A wild rage possessed him; he could
have fallen upon the insolent accuser
,yonder and torn him limb from limb, If
that would have given him back bis
damning secret and silenced accusation
forever; but murder would rot help
him, that he knew; and he struggled
with himself desr ralringly for composure,
that he might work his way out of this
net which had so suddenly been thrown
over him.
II Arden chose to utter this accusa'
tion in public, AccringtOn's chance for
eect on was ruined; nay, his very resi-
dence in Stafford was impossible; for defy
the accuser as he m ght, he could not
disprove the accusation; and the whole
country would side With the powerful
Inchcape to cru h the inspected alien.
And Loveday would despiSe as well as
fear him! Loveday, whom his fierce
heart still pursued with hungering COW
etousness, while he watched for the op-
portunity to pOunce u on her!
Would anything induce this foolish
Ton QulXote 10 be silent?
What did he know?
Col ACcrington turned his lowering
eyes upon Arden, and still striding about,
said in a hoarse, changed voice:
"You have made an astonishing accu-
saton; be good enough to inform me ex-
actly what you refer TOP"
Arden turned from him scornfully. He
saw that h meant to have recOur to
shift and evasion; theic was no reaching
his scared conscience.
u appeal to your honor, Col Accring-
ton; act the honest man; doright, though
the heavens should fal, and all righteous
men shall respect you, he CRED with en-
ergy, striving to inspire the wavering
soul that might lack but spark to kin
die it into generosity,
, But Accrington could no longer act
the honest man; he had so long made his
choice of evil instead Of good, that his
character had determined towards the
bad; he must now act according to the
character which he had framed.
For few moments he stood still, gaz-
ing furlously at Edgar, then he walked
up to him, and, still with his ferJciouS
eyeball's riveted upon Edgar's, said
slowly:
"Listen, my bod mentor have per-
mltted you to have your say, because l
wanted to catch your gamo, bat l will
allow no word of al this to be uttered
in any other hearing than my own.
utterly decline to discuss my private
affairs with you, or any one else; and
warn you, that you are meddling in q
matter which may blow you along with
Lord Inchcape, into atoms. The man is
doting surely, to set you upon me-"
"My Lord Inchcape knows nothing Of
this appeal, said Edgar haughtily; "you
must know his nature better than to
suppose that he could crouch to his base
foe for his rights
"That word shall cost you dear" said
Accrington, raling horribly as the word
"base" fell like fire upon his pride.
"God knows l wish it was misappledl"
exclaimed Arden, coldly observant of
him. "Now, sir, let us to more busi-
ness-like view of the matter If you
will do Lord Inchcape Justice before the
Lords of the Oriental Mission; | promise
you to withdraw instantly from this con-
test for the borough of Stafford, and
leave you to walk over the course as
you phrase it. A few words of explain
alton from you will convince these men
Of his integrity, attainted for five long
years through no fault of his What do
you say; sIal you be the undisputed |
member for Stafford, at the cost q a few |
words of deserved self-blame?"
"Nol" thundered Accrington, writing !
beneath the humiliating pror oSal; "if !
be- villain, as you will have it, am no
villain; l wi not sell my |
honor for anyth 'ng moro material than |
'evenge BegOne, insu ting fool; you
title know the spirit you have reused
Away with you, before forget my civ.
lization and horscwhip you within my
,wn doorsl" And he lowered over Ed.
,ar convulsed with shame and rage.
"You refuse my prayer, then?" said
edgar bitterly; "and guiltless an
must suffer on to save Richard Accring-
on's spurious pridel Well, sir, | have
ilven you your chsncoj shall now op