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

SIrcombe would allow me to explore.
but the best are sealed mysteries to me.
There are chambers cut in the solid rock
beneath the tower-below the level OF
the high tide mark; In old days we
smothered our enemies there"
II should like to explore them" said
Edgar, thinking less OF the death traps
than of the ruby lips that spoke OF
them. 49, 80. : - 49, sstssS -
Mr.. Sircombe abruptly stepped through
the window beside him, and leaned over
the broad stone balu>trade. gazing at
the glittering waves which Tapped
against the base Of the cliff below.
The conversation proceeded between
the youthful pair, Lady Dunraven lean
ing back In her carved chair, and listen
ing or seeming to listen less than she
looked at each animated face. Some.
times she reused herself to take part:
and then Edgar, with mournful regret,
could trace the signs Of once brilliant
and accomplished mind, now smolder-
ing down to dull Indifference. He had
heard much Of this unhappy lady's spirit
and fascination in the days when she
reigned as queen Of the social circle In
the Inchcape Fosse; like so many OF her
| countrywomen, she had created Juror
| by her intellectual graces as much as
by her refined and spirituelle type OF
beauty. No women in the world are
more fervently admired than American
women of culture when they come to
| shine In English circles. They WED
| the peculiar power of soul, and their
| delicacy and vivacity are rare charms In
stately England.
Edgar wvs quickly adding links to the
| chain which bound him to Dunraven
Tower. Love attracted him, but more
generous sentiment subjugated him
this wronged lady needed help.
That strange glance OF hers which
seemed to follow him like low murmur
of pain, how could he check 1t? She
asked no help, she only pined and suf-
fered for lack Of it. s..
To this chain, fastened upon him by
his own feeling alone, he could oppose
no considerations of selfish caution.
Sitting there between the girl he now
boldly acknowledged to himself that he
adored, and the woman who had reused
! all that was most generous In his nature,
he said to himself:
~ must, I will do my best to bring
back her happiness.
CHANGING upward with the fire Of that
inspiring resolve in his eyes, he met tho
gaze of Mr.. Sircombe fastened upon him.
Caught unawares, Sircombe had let his
very soul look out through those win
dows, his eyes, and Edgar started in
pure amazement. 1t was like glimpse
through the windows of hell.
But even as he stared the expression
changed to natural one, and Mr.. Sir
combe sauntered along the balcony out
| of foh% fntn "a 10 rdn yUh no n
he came to the corner of the tower, he
saw old Kenmore training up his young
lady's roses upon their trellis.
Mr.. Sircombe entered the building by
o summer portal upon the balcony, and
very soon sauntered into the garden and
came to o halt by Kenmore. He had
something in his mind to say to that
superstitious person. ..s>
He said it by degrees.
Edgar looked about Lady Dunraven's
usual living room with sympathetic in
terest 1t was crammed with articles'of
beauty or for amusement-but all wore
for Viva.
There stood the piano, Of dark and
lustrous wood, in niche arched with
pink-veined marble, the white keys
smiling out of tie darkness. A tanglo
of brier roots and heather lay across the
top and dropped upon the key board,
and Ulva's blue velvet Scotch cap with
its single feather nestled among the
odorous heap
The gloomy duskiness of the antique.
paneled room had been frightened by
voluminous draper;es Of palest blush.
rose and palest sky color; against this
background Ulva's harp stood out
prettily upon its gilded pedestal
Bright cabinets, gilt and carven, filed
in the alcoves; the carpet was like
palest moss, the very tenderest, early
green, dashed with flower petals; luxu-
rious lounges and ottomans were pro-
vided for the relief of changing atti-
tudes to tho poor captive wife; lovely
figure pictures hung thickiy upon the
walls-no landscapes, to wake the mad,
dening thirst for freedom.
The windows were modern IN shape
and size, and were flied in with many
exquisite flowers, over which the sunset
glory was now streaming into the room,
turning it into o grotto In cloud-land.
A large picture was suspended over
the fireplace, but nothing of it was Wis
IDLE but q corner of the richly gilded
frame; the painting was entirely con-
cealed by a heavy 70 e-velvet curtain.
Edgar guessed rightly that Lord Inch
cape's features might te seen behind
those shrouding folds, and that the ban
ished wife had yelled them from the
stranger
A sudden burning Impotence of this
misery and mystery beset him.
Why, why must these two fair womer
live isolated, and conceal their identity
from all corners?
fro BE CONTINUED