The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-02-26


the dark and scowling face Of Accring-
ton.
He had hand placed on the back OF
each laoy's chair, and stood thus close
to the hostess with as assured front as
if he had been the most welcome guest
present. Resolved to face down the eff
feet of Inchcape' s insult before witnesses
had an opportunity to come to unani-
/ nous opinion In discussion among them
selves, and, trusting to their ignorance
of the real circumstances, he had calmly
walked in through tho very door by
which he had been expelled, as soon as
he saw Lord Inchcape's departures; and
here he was, drinking in with passion
ate delight the fresh young loneliness OF
the Fairy Queen: and scowling jealousy
upon the too handsome youth who
seemed, by common verdict, to be her
chosen mate,
AS the two ladies turned around,
Colonel Accrington met their startled
gaze with soft and melancholy smile.
sam / indeed such forgotten exile
that the Graces cannot recognize me?"
breathed he. His voice was low and ex-
| pressive, his manner chivairous. Few
ladies could have withstood his power,
when he chose to exert it; but these
| ladies had memories concerning him that
fortified them.
"You must pardon my amazement,"
said Mrs. Crecy, icily; Il certainly never
expected Richard Accrington to visit
Stafford again.
| She did not extend her hand; the
| Colonel bit his lips in chagrin, and bowed
| low to conceal the tell-tale omission from
| the on-lookers. 1t had become an object
| of ambition to him to stand we'll with
Stafford; il he could not compel this pop
ular woman to receive him under her
| roof, he would commence his intended
career there heavily weighted by sus-
picion. He knew Inchcape's lofty pride
which would not permit him to EXPOSE
the cause of their enmity; and II no one
else knew that secret of the past he be-
| lieved that he could have his will in Sal
ford,
"You have seen the silly, bewitched
moth futtering round the fame" said
he. softly, and Mrs. Dellamere caught
his insinuating side glance; during my
weary absence from old England, Sal
ford was my flame, for there l had left
my treasures of friendship and hope.
have dared to be true to the past; / have
come back to My flame"
Mrs. Crecy was silent, for the first
| lips.
Mrs. Dellamere forced herself to speak
with bland Indifference.
"How absence from bull dog Eng and
| polishes one! Or is it your dip omatic life
that has lent such French sentiment and
] fervor to your style?"
Accrington revenged tho mockery Gy
bending and looking her in the eyes with
a lurking devil in his own. A small
burning flame leaped up in her ivory
cheek, she quaiied and turned from him
fiercely.
The amiab,e Mrs. Crecy observed this
by-play with sickening apprehension;
| she was recalling the sceno she had wit
messed that last day five years ago, when
Richard Accrington and Laura Della
mere had parted. To think that he
could touch her heart strings! Oh, proud
Laura, where is your naughty spirit
now?
But he was her lover once, her first
love, before her spendthrift father so d
her to cd Miles Dellamere, the cotton
millionaire; Laura and Richard wero
once what Loveday and Auberon arc
now, playmates, companions-fitted by
Nature herself to be each others mates
Just now the play was done, tho cur
tain down; friends clustered round
them; Squire Crecy discovered the Colo
mel with shout of welcome, and Arch
erfield stumped over to him with grim
triumph and red fist extended. In the
confusion the two ladies retired arm in
arm from the theater, and sought the
bi;ou green-room, where the syiphides
and their queen were merrily chatting
over their late efforts.
Why did Laura Dellamere draw hor
beautiful child to her bosom with such
unwonted fervor, and hold her there
against her heavily throbbing heart,
while she dropped soft, silent kisses
upon her silken hair and wondering,
sweet eyes?
Why did Mrs. Crecy, watching them,
utter the swift. eager prayer IN her
heart, "Oh, God, protect the incoccnt?n
Thew were remembering the -apt gaze
of Richard Accrington-the passionate
admiration, the stifled sigh with which
he had watched lutte Loyeday through
her fairy dance.
Richard Accrington was tho son OF a
decayed gentleman of good birth; be
had made his own way in the world en-,
tered the army as ensign in the days oil
his homage, poverty and love; was Tilted
by Laura Paget, daughted of a ruined
baronet and vowed to climb fortunes
ladder, and wiring her heart some day
served abroad with brilliant gsllantry,
and come home colonel and lion,
The first time they met after her per
fdy, 10 chose day, they say. wher
! there was grand muster Of London's
proudest in madam's splendid drawing
rooms (they had Parted with passionate
kisses in the parlors Of her fathers tum
! ble-down mansioIi and he strobe through
tho thropg. his uniform and glitterini
medals opening path for him wherever
he would &c, and buzz OF admiration
following his internal beauty and dis
: tinguished celebrity.
So he stood before her, who had VOW
ed by her maiden love to be truc TO hin
forever, and he answered her stricken
. gaze with q smile as crnel as the grave
! no DE CoNTISuED.
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