The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-04-30
CRU Ell
-=AS=
The CRAVE,
The Secret of DunraYen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author Of Faithful Margaret" Etc. Etc
CHAPTER xrI1.-con,lnued.

iooh upOh tuc pair -tTufy u scctucu iho
IT! Her heart swelled bitterly; 1t was
hard to find herself in Auberon's way
to see that all this xeet, loving intimacy
was but lovers ruse to bring Miss Rae
to terms!
She followed Accrington's guidance
without doubt; she felt as II she could
never meet Auberon again.
Accrington knew every foot OF the To-
cality; five years ago he had spent many
q day with his sporting companions
beating those glades for game
He did not at once disturb the painful
reverie OF his companion, but took ad-
vantage OF her preOccupation to lead
her so many turns and twists that when
at length she looked round, she felt COM
pletely at fault. Accrington confidently
assured her that they were en- the route
for home, and drew her into converse
ton with such tact that she gradually
yielded herself to his influence, and
listened, responded, and became inter-
ested, while time few, and the miles
stretched behind them
Never had Richard Accrington exert
ed himself so earnestly; he was talking
against time, and each haf hour they
fingered together-each mile they left
behind them-was another link to the
chain he was forging for the capture of
Miss Dellamere!
He wooed her thoughts far from her.
self and her present surroundings, to
follow him from land to land where he
had been; when marvels might begin to
anew with a pathetic version of
his own history, specially adapted
to attra.t her tender and innocent
sympathies; she lent herself to his
charm willingly, for her own thoughts
were very bitter, and escape from them
was welcome.
They reached the margin Of wide
moor; not another human being was
visible on all the broad expanse, Only
the bleak October sky lowered OYER it,
and a low wind moaned across the
Loveday looked around her with
shiver.
al don't In the east know where we
are," said she, blankly; "are you quite
fLre that you do?"
"Trust me, Miss Dellamere, you are
quito safe," said Accrington, with
frank smile which almost treasured her;
mo. don't look at your watch, entreat
you; let me take all care Of you for this
once; give me the delight Of seeing that
you have perfect faith in me-"
"You treat the matter more seriously
than it deserves" replied Love1ay,
somewhat startled; but she had no mo.
tive strong enough to bid her cross his
mood, and slipped back her watch with
out glancing at it However, as they
crossed the moor, the only beings visible
upon 1t, and her wandering eyes encoun-
tered not one fami lar landmark, she be-
gan to own secret uneasiness, and to
chide herself for having left her friends
so far behind as to be committed to
such prolonged tete-a tete with the
Co onel.
Accrington, observing the turn Of her
thoughts, gradually allowed the CONVEX
sation to flag, and appeared to share her
gravity, often turning in his saddle to
watch the action Of her mare for min
ute at q time; and, indeed, she began to
notice herself that both the animals
seemed spent, and dropped their heads
WEAKLY.
At last Accrington said. with visibly
assumed lightness:
"Will you allow me to have look at
your mares hind shoe? To me she
seems to vince at every STEP"
A chill misgiving swept over Loveday,
thouuhtless imprudence. Without a
word she drew rein and dropped lightly
to the ground without waiting for assist
ance.
u begin to fear that it is later, and
that we are farther from home than we
imagine, said she anx 'ously, and again
drew out her watch. One glance, and q
CRY OF dismay burst from her-it was
hours past the time when the hunters
were expected to reassembe at Dorl-
mant. Bewildered, angered, and dis
trustful, she moved apart from her COM
panion, without needing his exclama-
fions of surprise; she felt as IL his prox-
Unity stifed her.
An ordinary admirer might have
suffered pang OF sorrow or mortihca-
tion at such q movement on his lady's
mart whenever her hour Of need came
upon her, but the Colonel only glanced
after her with . peculiar smile, and bent
over Ahmed's hoof while he performed 9
slight operation with dexterity worthy
of q prestidigitator He laid down the
boof with look of ominous gloom.
aCome, Miss Dellamere, COURAGE" hs
c.ied. with affected cheerfulness, @thert
il nothing far wrong with Ahmed yet
but we must deal gently with her.
more cut, which her shoe irritates; II W.
can reach blacksmith In time, ne cai
shift the shoe and preserve the wount
from painful pressure. We cannot b
far from the village Of Blackjack, wher'
we shall find help"
Loveday's crimsoning cheek and com
pressed lips showed her deep annoyance
1t such an ADVENTURE how heartily sh'
reproached herself for the ill-timed pc
occupation OF mind which had places
her in such an unwelcome situation! y
be separated from the general compan!
was bad enough, even had her cavalie
been an old and trusted friend. approves
by her mother; but to be cast upon tn
courtesies Of Richard Accrington TO
long hours-to exhibit herself before tn
curious eyes Of Blackjack with him 10
sole companion-was modification sh
could not endure.
~If we are near Blackrock, we are no
five miles from home,s said she c0ldly
aand I would infinitely prefer walking
the whole way to making any stop. Blu
since this mischance has befallen me 4
Colonel Accrlngton's company. ! ~