The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-05-14
daughters sake dragged her back and

daughters sake dragged her back and
sent her the other way.
When the strangers halted at the
door, Grim on silk curtain was lifted
from the parlor window, and cheerful
Col. Accrington, Auberon Crecy and the
farmers lai who had driven them.
Mrs Cellamerc drew back from the
window with one last throe of anguish.
aHe Is here, but where is my daugh-
ter' Has he married her already?"
thought she. But she appeared at the
door with q composed mien.
Auberon clasped her hands; his eyes
were flashing with Joy.
"She is safe at Farmer Growers
house." said he; "there was an accident,
and she was exhausted, though unhurt;
we both came to tell you."
! But Aecrington was In one or his
dark, silent RACES; he deigned no in
| formation.
"And this lad does he return home
tonight" indicating the gaping farm
er's boy.
Auberon had arranged that he should
4 Obtain refreshment for himself and his
! horse at DORMANT, and return imme-
diately, bearing any message Mrs.
Dellamere might wish to send Miss
Dellamere.
He dispatched him to Do INFANT then,
| promising to bring him the message
| soon.
The three were left in the yestibu!e;
| Mrs Deilamere would not ask Col Ac-
! crington inside her door. The bright
| lamplight from the window shone full
| upon his lowering face Mrs. Della
mere turned on him with commanding
| gesture.
speak, Col. Accrington; I presume
| you are here to do so And pray be
concise, for this is the last time Mrs.
| Delamere shall have the honor of an in
terview with Col. Accrington.
Her whitening tones reused him.
MADAM" said he, quietly, u am
here to say that unless a marriage fol-
| lows the imprudence committed to-day,
! Miss Dellamere's innocent name will be
the prey of every foul mouth in Stafford.
l shall marry her."
"Never! never!" calculated Mrs. Del
1amere, growing pale as d ath; "you
have doubtless played the game very
adroitly, and will have rich revenge,
If defeated; still shall cef at you. If
it be as you say, that.you have put my
daughters name in every foul mouth In
Stafford, l shall take her far from En-
gland and begin new life. The grave
were preferable to union with you"
"Think, fair friend; marriage will
save her." said Accrington, softly; @are
you right to sentence your innocent
daughter to be UNANIMOUSLY slandere1, to
the breaking Of her heart and the ruin
of her prospects,"
"Ah, have mercyl" gasped the I'M
happy mother" covering her cars with
her hands. @What demon inspires this
man. that he can play on human heart
strings whatever tune he In his wicked
ness desires? Ny daughterl my sun
bright Loyeday. scorned and shamed,
her spirits crushed-her heart broken!
oh, my God, is there no way to save her
but this way!"
She wruDg her hands and wept, and
Accrington, leaning In the easiest atti-
tude, drank in her despair with exulting
Joy. He thought he had vanquished the
mother: and In his elat:on he felt quite
strong enough to vanquish the daughter
in turn.
Auberon suddenly spoke.
81 have waited to hear Colonel Ac-
crington's apologies for the distress he
has calsed two helpless ladies; and his
assurances that no harm has been done.
hear, instead. threat that Miss Del a.
mere shall be DETAINED if she does not
marry him. Marriage will save her. you
are quite sure of that, sir?"
Accrington bowed low and mockingly.
Auberon took Mrs Cel'amere's cold and
trembling hand, and caressed it between
his own warm nervous ores.
"Then marriage shall save her!" cried
he, flushing up, and fixing his sparkling
eyes beseechinghly upon Mrs. Della
nero, while the thrill from his own
heart tingled through his hands into
hers, and crept along all her veins like
new life. Marriage shall save her; but
l shall be the bridegroom, II you. dear
est madam, will consent Dear Mrs
Dellamere, let me marry Loyeday. l
beseech you, say yes!"
"You, my boy!" whispered Mrs. Della
mere, gazing at him almost wildly, while
Accrington sprang erect with fierce
air. "But is not this pity? generous
pity, which yet fills me with humilia-
tioa!"
"Pity!" echoed Auberon, hot'y, awho
shall dare pity Loveday! / assure you,
Mrs Dellamere, that as circumstances
nave ldilen out, AOVeudy is III no udH-
ger, not the slightest as you will see for
yourself when you have heard all. /
love her, and she loves ne"
SHa." snarled Accrington, looking as
If he would spring upon him. "You
take much for granted, my modest boy. !"
Colonel Accrington, to spare you any
further trouble ir this matter, which has
ceased to concern you, l shall explain
that Miss Dellamere and / have plighted
our troth to each other, subject to Mrs.
Dellamere's appreciation, said Auberon,
proudly.
And without waiting to watch the tor
tured face of his. vanquished rival. as
the truth struck home. he bent his curly
head and received Mrs Dellamere's fer
vent kiss upon hts brow. then caught
her ip his arms as she sank under the
wild revu' sion of feeling
AS he to.e her into the hall he saw Ac-
crington striding away in the darkness
as IL swept by the storm.
CHAPTER XVI.
EDGAR APPEALS IN VAIN
Edgar Arden returned from vain
ouest from Miss npIlamare with a spent