The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-05-14
CRU Ell
-=AS=
The CRAVE +;
The Secret of DunraYen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author Of Faithful Margaret" ETC.. Etc
CHAPTER xv-fcontinued.,

gar saw that Inchcapc's heart was full
and that he longed to begin the reading
of Lady Inchcape's story; and he hoped
much from his lordshp's softened mood
1T had lain very close to Edgars hear
TO speak OF Viva during the whole oil
the interview; but honor forbade thai
he should obtrude any personal interest
before he had pleaded, like true knight
his liege lady's cause
He soon left In, hcape Fosse to visit
the Crecys; he remembered In Lady
Inchcape's story how loyal one Of the
Three Graces had been to her, namely
Alice; ard he wanted now to hear Alice
Crecys account Of Accrington's do.ngs
in Stafford.
AS he expected. he found her alone
Tor 1t was not noon yot, and the hunters
had not returned. Squire Crecy and
Auberon had gone with the rest
Edgar Arden was favorite with the
gentle Mrs. Crecy; she respected him
for h own sake, and loved him because
Auberon did so.
He narrated the adventure of the loss
OF the Mergauser, and his escape with
h crew upon sterile islet In the north
ern seas: but he gave no hint of the
discoveries he had n AIDE there, but bav-
Ing satisfied her curiosity about himself,
led her on to talk about the events
VIII had transpired in Sa ford during
his Absence
She soon mentioned The Advent of Ac-
crington, and he detected the delicate
shade Of restraint in her manner which
showed how little she liked the brilliant
ex-attache I'd pseudo represe NATIVE Of
Stafford.
"Your friends have been quito fretted
about your absence, Mr.. Arden" she
said. II confess to strong desire for
your election, and Colonel Accrington's
defeat He is dangerous man, and, l
an obliged to say, an inscriptions
onen
Her agitated demeanor riveted Ed
CARS attention; by little questioning he
drew from her delicate account of the
situation between Accringtol and Miss
Dellamere; and the grievous anxiety o.
both Mrs Bellamere and herself about
the issue
"The Gear girl is so utterly Innocent
that he dares to employ his we'll.
practiced art of fascination without fear
Of detection" said Mrs. Crecy AIRS
Tellamere is warmly opposed to any such
alliance, and has emphatically told him
80; and yet he presumes to make oppor-
tunities of meeting Loveday, and inter-
esting her in his own pathetic history, as
she imagines his ugly past to be. can
not endure the idea Of his carrying off
dear, guileless Loveday Dellamere
"He must not be permitted any such
triumph" cried Edgar, boiling over with
Indignation as he thought Of Enge,onde
Inchcapo pining in far Sleat-na- Vrecken
through this mans lawless love; while he
was pursuing fresh love with all the old
delight.
81, too, confess to special antagonism
toward Colonel Accring on, and am re-
solved to balk h m in several of his de-
s.rcs. Is Miss Delame much fascil-
ated by him?"
Mrs Crecy searched his CountenaC ce
earnestly. III fear 1t; he has been Pc
culiarly adroit In his manner with her.
He has gradually disarmed her first in
stnctive distrust of him-she believes
IN his sincerity row. Mr.. Arden, / can
see that you ow something CO lcerning
that evil man, AID implore you to use
that kr owledge on behalf of Miss Del
lamere."
ain few days ! shall probably be in
o positio, to coafide all know to you,"
said he, and thea changed the subject
He was not ready to colfide anything
he krew about Lady Inchcape, even to
her loyal friend, Mrs. Crecy, until Sir
combe had made his confession.
After lunch, Mrs. Dellamere drove
over to Dormant to assist Mrs. Crecy in
entertaining the hunters as they stray
g'ed back. for there was to be hunt
d.naer, and q da9ce afterward. She
was delighted to see Edgar Arden back
again; she was now comp etely olsen
chanted with Ri, hard Accrington, feared
and loathed his approaches to her daugh-
ter, a, d felt incli ed to welcome q stout
antago list like Arden, who might give
Accrington something else to Go than to
make love to ladies.
From these two, Mrs Dellamere and
Mrs Crecy, Edgar CLEANED a'most all
the incomings and oatgoings of Co Onel
Accrington since he came to Stafford,
and felt ready to confront him.
The hunters began TO drop 10 by twos
and threes Edgar waited on to see
Loyeday d Auberon Pretty early In
the afternoon Merton Rae came home,
and with blanched face begged Mrs Del
lam ere to so with her to her room.
There she broke the i'll news that
Colonel Accrington had gone off riding
acne with Loyeday; that AGberon had
gone in pursuit and that she had
hasteneI home to the Pa iion, to SO !,
whether Loveday had returned, as she
had said she would.
Mrs Dellam re listened to the end
with CHASTITY looks which quickened the
humb,ed girls apprehensions
"And where was Auberon CTecy, that
my daughter was left to the will of my
enemy?n demanded Mrs. Dellamere,
bitterly; II put her in his sacred charge
for the day; / thought he was trust
worthy. aud they we're old-time play
mates"
"Blame no one but me-" said Merrion,
giving way to passionate self,reproach
ANY vanity made me Colonel Accring-
toms dupe. He begged me to arrange
for him short interview with Loveday,
assuring me that Auberon-that Au-
b ,ron-I will speak out; deserve this
me to any woman.
She covered her burning face with her
hands, and wept convuisively; and Mrs.
Dellamere curbed her own emotion
cough to draw her to her bosom; and
whisper sweetest thanks for her self
sacrificing confession.