The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-05-14

said. @What are VIC poor simple hearted
women in the hands Of specious mis-.
creant whose Toast is that he can use all
mankind through their weaknesses
And my beautiful Merrion has her heart
ache, too! No, no, my child, there Is
nothing to be ashamed of; there are
few true-heartcd women who have not
loved"
"But have they loved unsought?"
sobbed Merton.
"You are, think, mistaken in that,
said Mrs. Del'amerc. generously hiding
her keen d appointment Il have
fanc.ed many times of la.e that Auberon
loved you. He does not love my poor
Loveday, / am sure of that"
@You did not see him as l saw him
when first we missed Loveday and the
Colonel" said Merton, despairingly.
such grief and self-reproach i never
saw on human face"
ale was distressed because he had
not been true to his trust" suggested
Mrs Dcllamere, though her hopes rose.
"Ah, madam, simple chagrin never
wore such an aspect" mcaned Merton.
@He said he would never return without
her-or Accrington; love and jealousy
breathed in every accent. Ay, and
they are worthy of each other." cried
she, nobly; and IL he loves her, will
pray heaven that she may love him."
"Great heart!" murmured Mrs. Eel
lamere, with emotion. And she pressed
one of her rare kisses upon Merrion's
brow.
1t was agreed between them that
nothing was to be said about their anxi-
ETY., and they appeared at the hunt din
ner with not a cloud on their serenity
Accring;on had not teen seen at the
hunt, so that the continued absence of
Miss De'lamere and Auberon Crecy,
though gayly observed, was not con
nected with his name.
AS time wore on, Mrs Crecy's anxiety
about the absence OF Auberon Obliged
Mrs Dellamere to confide the matter to
her, when her apprehensions rose to
such pitch that Edgar perceived her
misery, and connected 1t with the theme
of their late conversation.
Fearing the worst from Richard Ac-
crington, he got the two ladies apart for
moment, and implored them to make
him OF use If Miss De.lamere's safety
was In question
The terrified ladies looked beseech-
ingly at each other; should they trust
him? oh, yes, yes-if truth lived on
earth, surely it II ed In Edgar Arden;
and, too, did he not possess mysterious
power over the enemy?
So they confied all to him, and the re-
suit was that he started off with fresh
horse to aid Auberon Crecy.
All this time the honest squire had
been kept in ignorance of the trouble;
for his place was obligatory at the head
Of t. table, and he could not have dis
gui ed his uneasiness for moment.
1t was trying to see his big, beaming
eyes travelling round and round the
table every few minutes in search Of the
fairy Loveday and his idolized Auberon;
but he wa slow of spec h, and Mrs.
Dellamere was always ready with sally
In time to repress his loud inquiries.
Then came the dance, and then indeed
the bright queen of 10Y was mi sed; but
some subtle spirit set hint circulating
that Mamma Cellamcre did not care to
her daughter by granting
the same company two appearances in
one day; so that little Loveday was very
likely at home, dressed in cir ish cam
brio and romping with her dog, instead
Of monopo izing all the eligible partners;
and though the gentlemen might muir
muir against nadam's policy the lad.e s
her maternal tenderness; and
made the best of Loveday's absence.
But where was Auberon Crecy? That
was the next query.
"You know that Edgar Arden is re-
turned?" said Merton Rae, very impres-
sively.
"Yes. wa, he not at dinner? What
then?"
"Depcnd upon it, he ha' carried Au-
beron Crecy off with him for a chat: You
know they always were wonderful
friends. Oh, we sha'nt see Auberon
Crecy here this evening; it is not every
day that an adored friend comes home"
So that explanation was accepted also;
and busy rumor had nothing as yet to
ms 'nuate concern ng M IS DellaTere's
o fairs.
Tie hunt dance ended, Corim ant was
left to reIose; and still Auberon had not
returned.
Mrs. Del'amere went homo to the Pa
vilion, hoping against hope that she
might find Ioveday there; but no one
greeted her save her own sleepy maid,
whom she hastily sent to bed before she
could observe that Miss Dellamere was
not with her mother.
And then the unhappy lady drew her
cashmeres about her again, and stole
outside to endure her wild terror alone.
Richard Accrington had taken his re-
venge on her for her early sin. Alas!
he had known where 10 strike to wound
her mortally
Laura Dellamere's proud head bowed
under the blow; her heart bled for her
sweet child: something of the fell spirit
Of Accrington was re called to her, she
knew him now, merciless, vindicti g,
a,.d this man held her darling
Loveday at his mercy!
The night was cold and bleak, the av-
enue where she had paced was white
with the hail that had fallen few hours
earlier; a piniag and bitter wind moaned
through the trees.
She felt no cold; like spirit she lott
cred in the lime walk, weeping, praying,
with strained ear, agonizing
" tn breaking heart-a mother bereaved
Of her child.
And in that dark hour of sorrow the
Of Engelonde Inchcape fash
I'd upon her with rev revelation of her
brief story
Alice (recy had always believed her a
yuiltless wife, DETAINED by Richard Ac-
,rington In revenge; while she had con-
lemned her through lurking sentiment
n favor of Accrington.
And now her own innocent Love'ay
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