The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-03-12
CHAPTER vi

Alas for the pcrversity Of human ma
ture These obs acles set in the way OF
the youthful pairs interest in each
other had tho effect Of instantly In
creasing 1t tenfold.
Lady Ulva's proud spirit resented
holly the interference of even so es-
teemed o parsonage as Kenmore, and
his parting threat had the power of in
vesting the handsome stranger with
new and romantic interest She had
naturally thought Of him much while he
lay in the great state bed in the guest
chamber, battling for the life that she
had saved from the waves, but now she
looked upon his image with very differ
ent eyes. Poor laundering Kenmore!
He had with his own hand unsealed tho
fountain of tho maiden's romance, and
made Edgar the hero of it.
AS Tor Edgar, tho secretarys inter-
| ference had thoroughly reused his op-
position. The more he pondered over
the extraordinary statement he had
made concerning Viva, the more forcely
he doubted it. A deep distrust of Sir
| combe's character and motives began to
haunt him; he felt it almost as o neces-
sity laid upon him to stay and watch the
man long enough to learn something Of
his nature and aims. Evidently Lord
| Inchcape trusted him fully, or he would
never have placed him in such position
In his household; but then, Lord Inch
cape never came to Dunraven, and
knew no more than was reported to him
probably by Sircombe himself.
As near connection of the family,
Edgar reasoned that he had q right to
remain with them II he chose, or could,
and though he did not quito c.ose his
eyes to the fact that love had a great
deal to do with his decision, he would
not allow this to daunt him.
| He joined the ladies as he had been
| invited, and found Mr.. Sircombe in
stalled beside Viva by a distant window,
and Lady Dunraven seated apart by a
little workable. But sho was not
working; Ike some antique statue OF
sorrow she leaned forward with both
arms outstretched across the table, and
listless hands dropping from the edge,
her face all pale and rapt her bright
bright eyes fixed upon the heaving waste
of waters which stretched between her
and the world.
No mortal, spending sickness could
have spread such haggard shadow over
| that beautiful countenance; there was
the very abandon of hopeless, agonizine
| misery in her attitude. Never before
had Edgar CHANGED to see her thus,
when, su2posing herself quite unob-
served, she had forgotten all around
her, and given herself up to her despair.
| Silently as q shadow he was at heI
side before one of the three noticed his
entrance; heart-wrung and sore dis
mayed as he was, it was an ungoverna
bic impulse that made him grasp the
hand that hung so lifeless, and hold II
close between his two palms, while
he gazed at her with devotion in hi:
eyes
She was not Shareholder thoughts
had been too far Off for that She
slowly came back to the present, and
looked at him with recognition-a
strange glance, that seemed to appeal tC
him like murmur Of pain; not asking
him for help, but needing it as the
drowning mute needs rescue.
Then, with faint quivering sign, she
released her hand and signed him to @
place on a couch, luxuriously cushioned
which had evidently been prepared fol
him.
"Ah, you are not strong yet; be docilC
and recline here beside me-" she said
with sweetest solicitude. And then she
raised her voice and ca led Ulva, who
turned round with little bright cry Of
surprise, and came swiftly down the long
room, smiling welcome.
She wore a dark-blue transparent
dress, lucid as the mountain mists. an6
threaded here and there with gold; hel
slender waist was also girded with gold
and her blue-black hair, dressed for the
evening, was fastened by comb o.
pretty gold filagree. His whole hear
went out to her as she came smiling tt
welcome him. Not only beauty had she
but such modesty and truth, AMI gentle
womanhcod, that all that was noblest II
him bowed down before her.
This fair woman doomed to loveles'
solitude?
BY that nobility which he had evel
found 10 Inchcape-no!
Yonder dark-lined, lowering face be
longed to traitor, that was easier tt
believe.
snow you shall soon be WE'LL" sale
Viva, giving him her hand while he
lustrous eyes beamed pure friendlines
upon him. 1.-THE worst is passed wheI
you can leave the sick room; before tn,
week is out prophesy that you will b,
| cAQlOIluB oil tuo WOuuClS VA 0uio Ois
fortress with Mr.. Sircombe, who is al
enthusiastic arch9ologist
Mr.. Sircombe, from his distant vantag
ground, bowed here as Edgar glanced a
him; and a queer smile, just the end
one, fiickered about his mouth.
"And are you also archaeological?
asked Edgar covetously, as vision o
that charming girl wandering by his sid
through gloomy dungeons and hall
choked corridors rose before his mind
eye.
She had seated herself close to Lad.
Dunraven, and was spreading out tn
meshes of some exquisite bit Of needle
work she had been busy over, on m
lady's knee. Edgar watched the fair
nimbeness of her fingers, small ant
|. pointed as Spaniard's, but ivory white
: with rosy nails; not ring married thei
delicacy, not bracelet spoiled the per
feet arch of her wrists; her gauz
bodice clung about her warm pearl
, shoulders like the diaphanous yelling o
chiselled water-nymph He watched
her with the feeding gaze of enrapture
! admiration, hectic fire kirdling in eacl
wan cheek.
1T was the beautiful hour of first love
Door Edgar's heart was at her feet
II am nothing so severely intellectual,
i replied she lightly to his last question
athough of course am interested in al
, that belongs to my fathers race, and
| believe this ancient sea-tower has beal