The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-04-30

and in spite of the fiercG repulsion she
felt toward him the imperious power of
VIII subdued her raging spirit to listen
passively to that which he now was
ready to say.
"Niiss Dellamere, began he, with soft,
respectful tenderness, sthis not the time
to descant upon my love for you; you
have long seen it, and the future will
prove its sincerity. In this, your hour
of need, my love gives me right to say
to you, Make me your protector and you
are safe from every whisper. Accept
me for your future husband, betroth
yourself to mo, and the world has moth
ing left to say"
For few moments Loveday remained
speech ess, returning her lover passion
ate gaze with look of fear and amaze
ment; it seemed to her that he had sud
denly opened door through which she
could see into dark country, filled with
shadowy forms OF horror. A host OF
vague suspicious beset herr it needed
not the passing memory of Auberon to
make her shrink back from this man as
il he had been serpent.
81 do not ask your answer now" Ac-
crington fastened to add, as he saw the
stern refusal on her lips; "but think OF.
what / have said; think of how much
depends upon your decision; and, above
all, realize the fact that am your loya!
friend, whatever may befall And now
1 shall conduct you to place where you
may take some rest while l attend to
your mare"
Without giving her chance to utter
dissenting word he hurried her for
ward to the pretty rustic village inn,
and the prospect Of being relieved from
his presence for even short time went
far to reconcile her to the dreaded ne
cessity Of appearing before the public
in the company of Colonel Accrington.
Content to leave the case thus for the
present, since, deprived OF her horse,
she wou'd be completely in his power,
he murmured few last tender reassur-
ances and they were before the "Silver-
stream, Arms" the cynosure OF all the
admiring loungers about the inn court.
The landlord advanced to receive his
dist 'ngu:s shed company, and Accrington
spoke loudly, for the benefit Of the Gu
rious listeners:
"Can this lady obtain private room
for short time, while her pony's hurt
hoof is b eing examined? We have been
detained behind our party by the acct
dent and wish to follow them as soon as
possible.
The portly landlady instantly appeared
to take care Of the young lady, and Ac-
crington presented his hand to assist
Loveday to dismount, but she, coldly
waving him aside, rode to the. mount
ing block and alighted unassisted, van
ishing with the woman with formal
bow to her escort When he turned from
watching her departure, modify, he was
just in time to see an ostlar in the act OF
extracting a sharp flint from the un-
lucky Ahmed's hoof.
"If We had cast half a glance We would
have seen 1t yourself, master,s grinned
the man, holding it up for inspection;
sits wonder the poor brute walked q
STEP"
Accrington .impatiently hurried him
off with the horses, casting nervous
look toward the open window near.
Doubtless he feared that Miss Della
mere would be needleSsly panied II she
overheard the cause Of her favorite's
sufferings
His whole object now was to spin out
the time till 1t would be too late for
Loveday to take the road for such a
long journey that night He had pro-
propose an elopement now; he was ready
| by that intention.
Having sent in some tea to Miss Del
lamere and refreshed himself, he quietly
locked the stable door upon the two
] horses and walked away to perfect some
arrangements. This business took him
| to the river bank, to boat-house OF
which he possessed the key. Having I'M
| locked this place, he launched beauti-
| full little skiff which lay within, rowed
| it along the stream until it came under
| the inn, and, concealing it under a
| clump of trees, he returned to request
| an interview with Miss Dellamere.
He had delayed to the last minute he
dared. He was now ready to prove to
Loveday that her only safety lay in mar
rying him at once.
| The landlord met him with very
puzzled face
| "Your lady's been wanting to start
| off by herself, sir. She wasn't for wait
| ing a minute after you went" said he.
aIpdeed?" muttered Accrington, scowl-
ing with modification. swell, you didn't
let her go without me, hoIe?"
"Oh, no, sir, surely not, since you were
to be right back again. b'lieve you
took the stable key with you anyhow,
| didn't you sir? Though OF course
didn't say so to her."
II like my horses to eat in peace" SO
tho Colonel, coolly. handing back the
kew and a guinea with it. "You gave
some decent excuse, / suppose, for moi
fetching round her mare?"
trust me for that, sir; both horses
was off to the blacksmith's getting theil
shoes looked to- She then wanted tt
hire team with driver, but put hel
of till you would come, sir. "
@very good; you have done right,
said Accrington; but this continued re
sistance was unexpected and chafed hin
much.
Tho honest landlord, supposing tina
he had stumbled upon a pretty lovers
quarrel, went on to Darrate that tn
lady asked particularly after her horse.
hurt, and was much pleased to hea
that it was mere pebble in the hoo
and that the animal would be as Mt 10
the road as ever after feed.
@Worse and worse" thought Accring
ton; @this bungling fool has made he
independent of me, II ishe has the cour
age to shake me off; perhaps she evel
suspects pshaw nothing venture moth
ing win!"
Il He strobe to her room and knocked
she instantly opened, but he did not wal
In as he expected, for she held the doc
open little way and looked out with
,o<bor Gorco fara