The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-04-02


my. What thought you OF your youn
Tor Engelonde, that lowering doubt cam
closer then.
On he came, tall, naughty, with b
noble air, his impassive couptenanct
nearer, nearer, his measured step tro
upon my heartfelt Of brass!
He looked up, beheld me, came to
, dead stop-the hue of death passed upo
his bronzed cheek.
groaned.
l felt the shock that thrilled through
my husband as chung, half sinking, t
his arm; he scanned each conscious fac
with p1tiless inquisition, but not o word
@Yes. 1t is ], Col Accrington, / re
torted, stung into defiance by pain
"and why not 1? Am / the first wifi
who has found her happiness in wander
ing the world over by her husband
side?"
"Perhaps. not" replied he, demon
prompted; "nor are you tho last poo
mortal who will wander the word owe
In search OF lost peace, as / have done
In vain"
My lords brow darkened as the odiou
picture rose before him of two sad heart!
roaming the world over in search of 4
balm that might heal the wounds of 9
hopeless, an unlawful love.
l could not defend myself against the
unjust thought In that hated presence,
and retired. From my windows
watched the two brother ENJOYS pacing
to and fro; need not have feared that
Lord Inchcape would forget his duty to
his country to demand private satisfac-
ton for personal injuries. They dis.
cussed business, coldly, courteocsly.
with the internal fires of jealousy be-
tween them.
How changed was my wicked lovers
naughty beauty, how blurred by mental
strife, how marred by the triumph Of
evil! Yet may judge him harshly; he
had seen service among the barbarians
since he lounged among US in silken
da!liance, and had borne peril and hard
ship brayely for England's sake; who
shall say that he had not been suffering
whitening remorse and shame because
OF his fall from honor? Ay, who shall
say, when suffering had not taught him
mercy and he Willingly sowed misery
betwixt my lord and me.
Alone. pondered how I might save
our happiness. We two, go united by
truest love. surely we could never be
sundered by mere mistake? Should
now confde that long withheld secret
which had been the only disturber of
our peace, leaving my husband to deal
with the matter as he judged best? All!
how l lonsed to do that! How weary l
was Of standing in my own poor
strength!
But dared not. What madness, to
set two fierce men at enmity, on the eve
OF mission which they must undertake
together A revelation now would too
likely rupture the whole scheme; my
lord would be less than human il he
could postpone the punishment of his
wife's insulter.
Silence, at any cost!
But, thought /, surely l may appeal
TO my husbands love, to trust me de- |
spite appearances,-or to await expla-
nation until his return? And with this |
hope l supported myself till he should |
come to bid me farewell.
watched them part for the time, the
colonel strobe to the gates, where his
,Ortege waited, my lord entered the
house. Slowly he assembled the marble
'tairs,-was he coming straight to his
unhappy Engelonde, to take her in loving
arms, and to win from ner the truth with
generous forbearance?
Slowly, heavily he paced onward
passed my chamber door-oh, love! was
t well? end entering his private apart.
rent, locked 1t upon all the world, and
re.
Shut out. Judged. CONDEMNED, bereft
II even one chance Of vindication. Was
t well, my Lord Inchcape?
In stupid misery remained where
vas, and the precious moments fed
way forever. The sound of the horses
loofs, as Kenmore brought them to the
DOR, reused me at last In sudden
'anic hurried to my husbands door,
nd knocked till, against his will, he
pened. He started back when he saw
hat 1t was his wife who would not be
enied, then led me in with cruel pune
iliousness.
/ threw myself at his feet.
@You have no cause in me for anger
r sorrow. Oh, Raleigh, lift me to your
leart again." pleaded.
II have not accused you," said my
,rd. 1Rise; that Is not the attitude of q
uilt'ess wife," How austere; each
'ord q morsel Of ice! wondered at its
ruelty. had yet to learn that jealousy
J cruel as the grave.
II kneel for justice, not for mercy"
answered proudly; "look in my true eyes
nd say that you can doubt my loyal [
we for you" He gazed into my eyes
0 was moved; what blight was on him ]
lat he could fos er doubt even yet?
"Fain would believe in your love for
% as much as you believe in It." said
., "but have seen you sinking under |
le weary strife Of your heart aga INST
onor / am too old for you; you wish to !
} true to me, you are true to me, as 4
slieve, In act and thought, but you are {
ring Of the struggle" c
@And you suspect my heart of stray
g from you to that man?s cried de- T
sively.
Just then came hurried knock, my t
aid Mary was seeking her mistress to :
liver letter which she had been. or
red to place in my own hand; too
mple to divine the intended secrecy of n
9 transaction, she had brought it to p
Q thus. |,
My lord handed me the letter with S
tier sneer; it was from Colonel Ac- t.
ington, l knew the hand at once, Il
Is stricken dumb by the calamitous
niu- ct!on of circumstances
"Allow me to leave you, madam, to j
o perusal of your admirers rhapso- "
ss,D tainted Lord Inchcape sprang s.
ter him, thrust the loathed thing in
his hand b
aOpen and read, and deal with the b