The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-05-21
Cruz Ell
=AS=
The GRAVE,
The Secret of DunpaYen
Castle.
BY ANNIE ASHMORE,
Author of Faithful Margaret" ETC.. Etc
CHAPTER xvI.-Continued

NlSltOT, WHO Udu QtC ineu tut OucIcu
chair; he now Strengthened his tall form,
and threw bark his head with satir cal
look, which most disguised his fierce
agitation.
sand may one ask What power / have
I'm the matter?" demanded he
"The power of the wronger to make
PREPARATION to the wrcnged!" answered
Edgar, sternly. "Col. Accrington, 1t is
useless to maintain any DISCUSSES. l
have learned the whole history of your
dealings with Lord Inchcape ard his
unhappy lady; and have come to you
to entreat You for justice to them"
Fer omcnt 1t seemed as II Ac-
crington must spring upon him, so fierce
was the glare of his eyes, as he glow
ered with rage and shame; but he st rn-
ly controlled him elf, and stood white
and mute, with clcnchej hands and
quivering pu ses, while Edgar went on
speaking.
at was not LorI Inchcape whoto'd
me the story; deeply as he has suffered,
i know he would perish on the rack be-
fore he would sue your mercy, or allow
you to be sued on his behalf. By q
strange chance / learned II, neverthe-
less, and l call upon you to set the wife
right with the husband, and my Lord
Inchcape right with his colleagues who
doubt his integrity through your
agency"
Accrington was too proud to deny; he
saw that Arden hal the truth. and that
equivocation won not blind him.
He sprang to see that the door was
fast, and remained in that end OF the
apartment, pacing swiftly to an fro
the only relief he permitted his violent
excitement while he stroye to sec the
whole importance Of this exposure in its
relations to his ambitious schemes.
A wild rage possessed him; he could
have falen upon the insolent accuser
yonder and torn him limb from limb, If
that would have given him back his
damning secret and silenced accusation
forever; but murder would not help
him, that he knew; and he struggled
with himself despairingly for composure,
that he might work his way out of this
net which had so suddenly been thrown
over him.
If Arden chose to utter this accusa-
ticn in public, Accrington's chance for
election was ruined; nay, his very resi-
dence In Stafford was impossible; for defy
the accuser as he might, he could not
disprove the accus alton; and the whole
country would side with the powerful
Inehcape to crush the suspected allen.
And Loveday would despise as well as
fear him! Loveday, whom his fierce
heart still pursued with hungeriny COW
etousness, while he watched for the OPP
portunity to pounce UPON her!
Would anything induce tbs foolish
Eon Quiyote TO be silent?
What did he know?
COL Accrington turned his lowering
eyes upon Arden, and still striding about,
said in a hoarse, changed voice:
"You have made an astonishing accu-
sation; be good enough to inform me ex-
actly what you refer to?"
Arden turned from him scornfully. He
saw that h meant to have recour to
shift and evasion; there was no reaching
his search conscience
II appeal to your honor, Col. Accring-
ton; act the honest man; do right, though
the heavens should fall, and all righteous
men shall respect you." he cried with en-
ergy, striving to inspire the wavering
soul that might lack but o spark to kin
die 1t into generosity,
But Accrington could no longer act
the honest man; he had so long made his
choice OF evil instead Of good, that his
character had determined towards the
bad; he must now act according to the
character which he had framed.
For few moments he stood still, gaz-
ing furiously at Edgar, then he walked
up to him, and, still with his fer ,cious
eyeballs riveted upon Edgar's, said
slowly:
"Listen, my bod mentor. have per.
mitted you to have your say, because
wanted to catch your game, bat will
allow no word OF all this to be uttered
In any other hearing than my own.
utterly decline to discuss my private
affairs with you, or any one else; and
warn you, that you are meddling In q
matter which may blow you along with
Lord Inchcape, into atoms The h,Sn /.
doting surely. to set you upon me-"
@My Lord Inchcape knows nothing OF
this appeal, said Edgar hanghtily; "yor
must know his nature better than tC
suppose that he could crouch to his base
foe for his rights
THAT word shall cost you DEAR" said
Accrington, paling horribly as the WORD
"basen fell like fire upon his pride.
God knows wish it was misappiied!'
exclaimed Arden, coldly observant o.
him snow, sir, let MS to more bust
ness-like view OF the matter. If yoI
will do Lord Inchcape Justice before tn,
Lords of the ORR ntal Mission; promis;
you to withdraw instantly from this con
test for the borough Of Stafford, ant
leave you to walk over the course a
YOU phrase it. A few words of explain
alton from you will convince these mel
OF, his integrity, attainted for five lont
years through no fault of his What d.
you say; shall you be the undisputet
member for Stafford. at the cost OF few
wordsio OF deserved seif-blame?"
"No." taundered Accrington, writhinl
beneath ne humiiiating proposal; -if
be villain, as you will have it, am M
mercenary villain; / will not sell m.
honor for anything more material thai
revenge Begone. insulting fool; yo'
little know the spirit you have reused
Away with you, before forget my civ
ilization and horsewhip you within m,
own doors" And he. lowered over Ed
gar convulsed with shame and rage.
sYou refuse my prayer, then?" sal,
Edgar bitterly; @and guiltless MAJ
must suffer on to save Richard Accring
toms spurious pride! Well. sir, has,
given you your chance: shall now IN