The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-18
CHATTER ak.
REWARD,

~SN
Erect trembling, she faced him, and
the heart Of the plotter, expecting re
proaches, shrinking timidity, accusation,
took courage. She was neither the
frightened child of the past, nor the bit
ter, crushed m of the last hour
he had. seen her. Her face, growing
steadily paler, took an lev hauteur
to it's expressive depths, her eyes never
leaving Arnold Dacre's face, she stood
like a queen at bay, a being turned to
stone.
Floral he repeated" I have sought
YOU everywhere. You did not expect
me, but-speak. grill why do you stare
at me so stonily?"
He quailed before the never-wavering
glance. This unexpected iciness and
silence puzzled him.
What have you to say to me-" was
forced slowly from her reluctant lips.
What have l to say!' cried Dacre,
misconstruing the hidden contempt, re-
pugnancy and resentment that pure
soul harbored against him, supposlng
that her troubles would make her a
crushed despairing woman, reckless OF
all save a craving for peace and safety.
Much that can interest you, Flora" l
hold your destiny, your future in my
hands"
She did not reply, she might have been
marble for all she moved. Steeled to
the heart, suggested by the circum-
stances of the case, she stood curbing
every emotion.
1--WE will not waste words" continued
Dacre, ''for I see you are in a frame OF
mind to listen to me. and probably act
upon my advice. You are a refugee, &C
counted an accomplish in the robbery
of the bank. You can never return to
Ridge6eld. You are a begger, l can en-
rich you. I can restore to you your
former, your fathers name"
Only the eyelids quivered at this.
go 3D." she said, sternly, chillinglv.
II offer you wealth, luxury, peace.
If you will marry me, I will take you to
some far spot where life shall be a per-
feet holiday, l can give you a stately
home, love, devotion. You a. forget
the past, it is your only hope, or else you
are an outcast, a pauper. Choose
riches or the almshouse, love or desolu-
tion."
And il I refuse?"
The accents were ominous, but the
eager s%coundrel ran on gibly.
Then l leave you to your fate-a Bit
ter one. l leave your fathers honored
name in the mire of disgrace, where it
g~ravels. Your lover! Oh! you start,
now, He escaped, but he is now a pris.
oner at my will in the town jail ct Deep
ford. Wed me, and / agree TO clear your
fathers name Of the last veStige OF
crime, l agree to free your lover. l
agree to restore to you the fortune now
in nv possession. Speak! will you con-
sent?"
She fairly took his breath away with
the sharpness, the suddenness OF her
reply.
Eyes" she said simply.
A cry OF joy parted the schemer's
lips.
What! you agree? You will wed me"
ION ore condition, l will undertake
the marriage ceremony, yes"
"And that is?"
WORD for word, truth for truth, from
beginning to end, you are to tell the story
of the trouble at the bank-all your part
in that fraud, all the details as they &C.
Cured"
at is a bargain! You will wed me
frst?"
1T the story will be forthcoming"
II VOW it. Wait, l have brought the
magistrate with me. The ceremony can
be performed nov at once. | will re-
turn within W minutes time"
He sped back through the open door.
way. His whole soul was afame with
hope and triumph. Sbrewd plotter that
he was, he never diScerned the latent
warning that the girls immobile face ex.
pressed.
"She is too crushed to resist" he
gloated, as he dashed through the wood
in quest of the landlord. she demands
the story of the crime at the bank.
Good! I will tell it. She suspects it now.
Anything, anything to gain her as my
bride"
Blind scbemer, Had he fingered a
single moment, he would have seen Flora
Merwyn speed to the adjoining apart
ment Hurried tones issued thence in
excited consultation. Then she came
back to the outer room, and, ~steeling
her face to utter GOODNESS, she awaited
the return OF the man she was leading TO
his doom.
Farce for farce!'' she murmured.
"Oh! the torture of even glancing at the
foIl-hearted monster, but, for my poor
murdered fathers sake, for Ray Web
ster's sake, l will 60 through with the
ordeal"
The silence was broke a minute later
by the temperance OF Arnold Dacre.
Behind. the eager plotter followed his
hired emiSsary, the landlord.
Here is a magistrate spoke the
ooehtar ttun &c rranor rod m plfiniar 70 q Z
the ceremony"
you agree to confess ALTO release
Ray Webster, to vindicate my fathers
name later?" demanded Flora
"Yes, only by explaining all to you
can ! make you understand the truth,
and how it may be told to the public
with safety to me-witleSS John Whar-
ton shall bear the blame. They cannot
punish him."
"All readyr!' spoke the co~arse-grained
landlord.
They Joined hands. A sickening
shudder traversed the girls frame at the
contact, but she steeled her heart 10 the
ordeal. The ceremony was completed
MY wife-mine at last" breathed the
plotter, joyfullY. Flora let the past
die out. A life of devotion"
Send that man away
He chilled at her shrinking face and at
her icy tones, but he whispered to the
landlord to return to the horses.
Now, the story-the confession"
spoke Flora MerwYn, a strange glow in
her impenetrable eyes.
Without apology, the villain began his
narrative. In legal possession of the
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