The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-05-21

D.,
the Earl and crfmsoIed with shame.
Some other witnesses had come for
ward, then, with his testimony which the
Earl had noted down, and which was to
be test of his own truth now. As.
sisted by these notes, there could be no
more shamm.ng 70. getfulness;. he must
speak out.
ain what terms did the Colonel men
tion your" proceeded Lord Inchcape
"Inso' entity" answered Sircombe, who
had never forgotten or forgiven the i'm
pertinence. "And coupled with an
odious insinuation. He implied that my
lords secretary would not hesitate TO
trade on my lady's secrets ii he could
see his advantage in it. Lady 1nchcape
allowed the SANDER to pass unques-
toned, which injustice naturally irri-
tated me, for my attachment to my
patrons interest had been most devot ID.
"And this is your excuse for the in
jury you did her?" said Inchcape, con-
temptuously. "How b.indly / have
trusted craven! But proceed. What
was Lady Inchcape's reply?"
"She asked why he had deserted his
post, or some such reproach The
Colonel, l think, excused himself by
quoting his desire for reconciliation
before they should part; he spoke as a
lover would speak"
"You give q very free trans alton, sir,
exclaimed Lord 1nchcape. sternly; "re-
member that have the truth before me,
and be more exact. / shall suffer no
distortions. Richard Accrington spoke
as a lover, true, but was 1t not as a
scorned and rejected lover? Answer
me-"
"He did sue for more mercy, l now re-
member" reluctantly owned Sircombe,
whose stubborn pride revolted at every
self condemning admission he was
obliged to make.
"Well, and the lady's answer?"
"She reproached him for writing her o
clandestine letter, and for the impudence
of paving her compromising visit at
such an hour" He stopped short,
gnawing his lip
"Continue!" Numbered Lord Inchcape.
@My lord, can recall no MORE" pro-
tested Sircombe, enjoying the equivocal
light he had put the lady's words in.
aWas it anything like thts?" demanded
the Earl, who read as follows: There
can be no amity between you and me.
You have dared to write me a clandes-
tine letter; WELL listen to mel have
not read it. You have come back to pay
me compromising visit; you shall gain
nothing by that but a disgraceful expos
ure; for am about to call my house
hold to protect me from the insu't is Of q
midnight intruder Well, Mr.. Sir
combe, do you recollect these words?"
Sircombe bowed in silence. What use
to rebel any longer? He saw that Lore
Inchcape was in possession Of the truth
and that Edgar Arden was ready to de
nounce him If he evaded it.
@Can you recall Colonel AccrIngton'!
response?" demanded my lord
at was a menace, fiereely delivered
He spoke of his love turning to hatred
and revenge. My lady then defied him
and the Colonel tainted her with deliv
ering over your lordship to his ven
geance, and promised to work his will
upon you. At that moment II l an
not mistaken, they heard the appoach o
your lordship, and Coleael-Accringtol
amused himself by painting the suspi
cious appearance their situation mus
have in jealous husbands eyes, and b,
prophesying the scandal which would
| ensue. There was no answer from Lad.
Inchcape; when next heard her voic'
she was at my door, ordering me to fol
! low you and Colonel Accrington."
Lord Inchcape laid down the manu-
script, and rose with long breath.
| He fixed his quiet gaze upon hi
| treacherous secretary.
"You have struggled hard to maintain
the appearance of having suspecte'
Lady Inchcape," said he, sternly; "an'
of course understand why. Itwas tn
only excuse for the part you have sine
played between her and me.
| "Rut now, in the face Of this testi
mony, corroborated IS it has been b.
yourself, dare you still harbor the faint
| est shade of suspicion against tina
guiltless lady? Speak, sir; will be an
swered"
Raging and sickening with shame, tn
secretary was forced to part with this
his last, poor rag of defense; for Edgar
fierce eye bazed upon him as he hest
tated, and the whitening sccrn of Inch
cape's glance convinced him that he wa
not to be deluded
Il believe in her innocence" muttere
he. with bowed head and ashen lip.
sand always have?" pursued the Ear
"And always have!" whispered Sir
combe; and he buried his face In hi
hands with groan of heartfelt degrade
ton.
But my lord and his young kinsmal
turned toward each other with out
stretched hands; eye sought eye in I'm
speakable emotion. Forgotten was tn
crushed wretch behind them; the las
faint doubt Of sweet Engelonde Inchcap
was cleared away-her husbands hear
trusted in her as Of yore.
One strong hand clasp, and moment
airy Ealing of the majestic face, and m
lord was himself again.
"And this I owe to you, Edgar!"
sad, fervently.
"Well, my boy. l cannot fifty thanl
YOU; but trust the time may come whe
may possess the power to give you th
desire of your heart, as you have thi
day given me the desire of nine"
He was interrupted by sudden move
ment of Sircombe's; he was gropin
blindly for the door, his face pale a
dea III, aud convulsed with despair.
The two men regarded him in dismay
no mortal spending sickness could hav
turned the man more haggard, old, @
broken, than had the into cradle expo.
ure of his baseness. Ay, but was ther
not something more intolerable?
Had not the last blow fal en-, when m
Lord InchcaIe vowed to give Edgar Al
den the desire of his heart, II it eve
should be in his power to do so?
And did not Edgar Arden lore swee
} Viva, daughter of this gratful Inchcape
J Could it be possible, in this strang