The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-05-28


expect any sympathy or support from
you?"
"You wrong me, Colonel Accrington.
indeed you dol" faltered Loveday, who
could scarce believe him for joy. "l owe
you all the aid l can give you, besides
my heartfelt gratitude. Yet | cannot
see how / dare intermeddle in Lord
Inchcape's private affairs"
al exact no snch imprudence; | simply
ask you to be the bearer Of a do .ument
which Lord Inchcape would give his life
to obtain for it will establish"
81 will carry it to him." Loveday in
terrupted hastily, shrinking from learn
ing any more of the Earl's secret from
his enemy. at is small return to
make for all that you are willing to suf-
fer in the cause OF right"
Accringto ton could not quite repress a
fitting sneer, but fastened towards his
purpose.
81 thank you, Miss Dellamere; with
your cooperation l feel strong enough
to complete the sacrifice without finch
ing Without 1t. l confess I dread the
whisperings of my stubborn pride, for
you must not forget how much | am
about to lose II desthis thing-the best
of my existence.
IL shall take the document to Lord
Inchcape," murmured Loveday again.
IWhen shall you send it me?"
Il shall not send it; 1 shall trust no
human being save you with the weapon
which is to destroy me. l shall bring it
to you-to-night--"
He paused; she looked up wondering
ly at his pale face and glittering eyes.
ITO night" he continued; "and you
must come to me; / shall be at yonder
gate In the wall waiting you. And you
must come alone"
Loveday started, flashing a suspicious
look at him.
"That is too much to expect" said
she haughtily; "there can be no necessi-
ty for such thing; and L have not
found you so trustworthy that should
trust you again l decline to come here
alone to meet Colonel Accrington to-
night"
He flung on his heel with short
laugh.
THAT ends the matter" said he harsh
ly; 81, too, decline to grant Miss Della
meres prayer FAREWELL"
He was actually going, thought Love
day, and once more all her hopes were
vanishing away; she could not but re-
call the willy schemer, just as he had in
tended.
"You may have reasons for such re-
quest; at least let me hear them," said
she anxiously.
al have, but fear that they will have
little weight with Miss Dellamere," re-
torted he bitterly. "My own safety de-
ponds upon the fidelity of my messenger.
Bah! why humiliate myself needlessly?
l will plead no more. You were not in
earnest, neither was l. Let US consider
the whole matter Jest"
81 cannot-I dare mott" cried she in
great distress. Il should be wretched
forever If l were to abandon Lord Inch
cape, now that you make it depend on
me whether you will do him justice or
not. Is there no other wav?"
"That way or none!" said Accrington,
sternly sam dog to be treated with
OPEN strust at the same time that you
are ready to accept such terrible sac
rifice from me? Enough; my safety re-
quires some precaution, and in the whole
world you are the only being to whom l
feel inclined to trust it,"
II will come" faltered Loveday,
trembling.
He drew long breath of intense relief.
THANK you'll" said he, earnestly. IL
shall be at the gate by nine O'Clock to-
night with the paper, which you will not
deliver until to morrow morning. l
must be far away ere then"
He gazed sadly in the sweet, troubled
face before him; his voice softened and
sank. Il shall not fail you, Loveday.
even though am destroying my life at
your bid. l could not fail you, knowing
that you were waiting for me yonder
alone, and that for the last time we two
shared secret between u.s."
He left her at last; left her over
whelmed with apprehension and doubt.
1t was so very hard to believe in him af-
ter the day at Siverstream.
And now came the full realization of
what she had promised to do.
In the hurry and tewilderment OF the
interview, urged on by Accrington, she
had been too intent on fighting Lord
Inchcape's battle to perceive all the con
sequences involved in her promise; she
saw them too clearly now.
She must keep Accrington's confidence,
yes, even from Auberon and her mother,
until tomorrow morning; she must risk
a meeting with him unknown to every
one; and, finally, she must herself bear
the fateful document to the naughty
Inchcape, who would, no doubt, be
plunged in amazement at the extent OF
her audacity and knowledge of his m )st
delicate affairs.
And then, would her mamma ever for
give her imprudence when she confessed
it? what would Auberon think OF her
granting private interview to the
man he had rescued her from?
Girlish little Love1ay burst into tears
of sheer fright, and heartily wished her.
self out of the worst scrape she had yet
been in; but suddenly thought OF Lord
Inchcape's restored happiness shone like
bright sunshine upon her dropping
spirits, and she flung of her fears indig-
nantly
"Oh fie! to be such poltroon, instead
Of dancing with joy at getting black
wrong righted at last" she exclaimed,
dashing away her tears. "Am l not,
Puck. you poor neglected mortal?" Here
she picked up her forgotten and whim-
pering dog. and wiped her eyes on its
snowy curls.
"Come, you love; we'll keep our own
counsel and 60 through our adventure
valiantly; see if we can't play m 3use
for once, Fuck, and gnaw through the
net which has imprisoned Lord Inch
cape so long, and set him free"
She set her pretty teeth hard and
breathed quickly, while her color rose
and her eyes flashed
"I'm going to get that paper ii have