The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-05-21
sNCE, EAST CARROLL PARISH, LA, SATURDAY, 1885,

$40 what can your lOrdShlp allude?"
"Beware, sir! You shall tell me the
truth at last" said Lord Inchcape,
sternly.
Sircombe sank hack in his chair half
fainting. HIS only thought was that in
some supernatural way Lord Inchcape
had discovered the truth Of the young
strangers di appearance.
For a moment he wished that he had
In his pocket pinch of poison, that he
might swallow it before his ruin fell up
on him.
Utterly spee,hless, he could only
glare at his patron and struggle for
breath.
81 see you know too we'll to what al
lude," cried Lord Inchcape, in sudden.
fierce triumph. "Your very looks con-
denim you, and prove that foul wrong
has been done the Innocent"
"Mercy, mercy" my lord!" gasped
Sircombe, far too bewildered to pick his
words. at was done on the impulse of
a moment of madness, and bitterly re
pented-aye, with tears OF torturing
anguish.
3Strange repentance, that brought no
reparaton" cried Lord Inchcape, scOrn-
fully; sand that allowed you to live at
ease in the very presence of your I'M
happy victim!"
aOh, God forgive me-" groaned the
wretched man, convinced that al was
dis overed by the Earl, and overwhelmed
with shame and fear. "If my life could
purchase his, would yield it up gladly"
While Lord Inchcape was staring in
astonishment at this incomprehensible
speech the door opposite Sircombe
swung open and Edgar Arden stood be
fore him.
He started up, glarei. gave one
scream, and fell in a dead faint
Lord Inchcape's eyes inquired of Ed
gar the meaning Of all this
"Leave him to me, now, my lord,
whispered Edgar radiantly. GAIL is GO
ing on admirably. Express no surprise,
only speak when look at YOU"
A minute or two restored the secre-
tary, he got up from the carpet with Ed
gar's help, and flung himself into his
chair with groan, covering his face
with his hands.
He had never tainted in his life be-
fore; but he was not a strong man phys
icaly, and his recent distress of mind
had reduced what strength he had; be
sides, the sudden apparition of the man
he had supposed dead in the cell of the
Southern Bastion, was enough to over
come any one.
And now, as he covered there before
the two gentlemen, he was thinking him
self a ruined man; even the acute relic
of finding his victim alive, and himself
no murderer, was not enough to beguile
him from his dread of consequences
"You see there was a mistake about
my fate," said Edgar as soon as he
thought Sircombe was able to follow his
meaning. II was saved from cruel
death, which would have left Lord Inch
cape without his heir" Sircombe
started and dropped his hands from his
CHASTITY face. ayes, am Edgar Arden.
continued Edgar, sand although j en-
tered Dunraven Tower by accident
ignorant of Lady Inchcape's presence
there, soon recognized her, and as
sumed my privilege as a relative to care
for her welfare. l induced her to con-
fide her sorrow to ne; | learned the
whole history; and l left Sleat-na-Vreck-
en- pledged to vindicate her as a true wife
to my Lord Inchcape. He has sum-
moned you to repair the foul wrong you
have done Lady Inchcape by withhold
ing testimony which would have proved
her innocence. And, Mr.. SircOmbe,
advise you tc do so," added Edgar sig
nificantly, and forcing the secretary to
meet his eyes.
The whole situation was Gear to Sir.
combe now.
By his agitation at first he had Sc
eliminated himself that he must comics!
to some wrong which he had committed
It was evident that Arden had not as YET
exposed the attempt made on his life tt
Lord Inchcape, and that he meant tt
compel q confession on Lady Inchcape'.
behalf as the price of his silence Anx
iously reviewing what he had said in tht
interview, he believed that he had be
trayed nothing that would not fit In a.
remose for his guilt toward Lady Inch
cape; at all events, he was caught in ;
trap-he must confess to something.
II am ready to do anything l can To-
Lady Inchcape," said he, humbly. ain
deed, should have duplicated Lor,
Inchcape on her behalf long ago, had
supposed he wished to believe her limo
| cent"
aHypocrite!" exclaimed the Earl in
dignanty. "Long ago l would hay
| taken her back to my heart, even ha'
she been guilty OF loving another, blu
] for your insidious whisperings! Oh, hoy
l have been betrayed! And deservedly
how could dare to doubt her!"
He turned away with clenched hand
and scowling brow; grief, shame AM
anger gnawed at his heart.
"What we require Of you, said Edgar
ais that you will endeavor to recall
certain conversation which took plac
between Lady Inchcape and Colone
! Accrington that night when a duel wa
| fought in conse uence. The position
| your room rendered it impossible TO
| YOU to avoid hearing every word tina
was spoken By Lady Inchcape, VIII
| stood on the balcony above your ope
window, and by Colonel Accrington, VIII
stood I'm the garden before it.
"Your testimony will prove her limo
cence, and show how hopeless was Ae
or ngton's pursuit Of her. Be careful
then, that you do not falsify one sylla
BILE. This, sir, is the only reparaiio
Won can offer for the grievous wron
you have done"
Sircombe writhed in humiliation
How so,emnly he had affirmed that h
had heard nothing, in those days whe
Lord Inchcape's faith in his wife hun
upon his testimony.
And now he must stultify himself;
must expose his crooked policy, and sho'
that in O der to maintain comfortable
ascendency In his patrons house he ha
done his best to keep husband and wifi
sundered for years. Fain would he hay