The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-10-25

| 'uS very Pale anQ ruSnlnS 10 Cne QOOt
of the back staircase, on which his
room opened.
lady closely yelled entered the
room quietly, evidently much ex-
hausted, for she dropped into the first
himself on his knees before her. He
did not dare guess the truth, and still
be knew why Marcelline, pale and
trembling, had come to him at such an
uour. nU reIC rHaJ Jno COUNT wanC2u co
play his last trump, and that he had
been base enough to enlist in his de.
tense this pure, chaste soul.
Marcelline made an effort to master
the emotion that shook her whole frame.
She flung her arms around Victor's
neck, and with voice broken with
sobs, murmured: "Oh, Victor, Victorl
I know everything"
What" he exclaimed, your father
"Everything.' replied Marcelline,
But it can't be-, said Victor, revolt
Ing at the idea.
Il tell you he has been absolutely
pitiless; my dearest recollections, my
most cherished affections, my modesty
az a young girl, he trampled everything
ander feet. You may we'll pride your
belf on what you have done. You have
killed me-" And she dropped her head
IN her breast with gesture Of harrow
| ing despair, while her sots welled forth
l1ain as they did during the whole OF
the night.
Victor stood like one petrifled, dumb
stricken, finding no word Of comfort for
her. But gradually the storm that was
sweeping over Marcelline soon subsided,
and Victor made haste to console and
| comfort her with the assurance of his
love and devotion.
you are kind" she murmured, ito
| try and soothe the terrible pain he
caused me; now be kind to the end and
give up this fatal idea Of involving my
father in this trial.
But, Marcelline, you know that one
innocent man has been convicted in his
stead"
"Oh, II you love me-" she murmured,
would you fling my life, my future, in
the scale against the interests of
stranger, whom the merest accident
brought TO your door?"
Il see, Marcelline," replied Victor
grayely, that your father has not told
you everything"
And then he told her OF the part his
own father had executed in the drama.
He pointed out to her that he would be
the basest OF men and unworthy Of her
affections if he refused to aid the poor
wretch who had come to ask him for 1t.
Besides, can you not see that 1t is
in your and my fathers interests that
I must undertake this case? If I refuse
L. 10 1phn mill
assuredly not have the same motives in
conducting tho case cautiously. Your
mothers name"
stop! stop! Victor, say no morel
My poor mother" sobbed the young
girl.
You see, therefore, that we must
avoid such scandal at any cost, said
Victor gently, but firmly. And, in Or
der to do this, he who is most guilty
must sacrifice himself"
What do you meaL?"
Il mean this, Marcelline," exclaimed
Victor solemnly, your father had an ac-
complice; you know her at least by
sight-Jeannette, The Hag' they call
her. The creature Is devoted to him,
body and soul. The brunt Of the charge
will probably recoil on her-I mean the
poisoning OF Huguette. Your father
will only have to answer for the death
Of Viscount de Varville, and the extern
uation Of the deed will be found in his
wrath at the injury done him. We will
find barrister who will conduct the de-
Tense in that sense, and who will keep
your mothers name as much as possi-
bic out Of the case. Tell him all this,
tell him instead of laying the blame at
my door, he ought to thank Heaven that
the case fell into my hands.
But the sacrifice you named?" . .~-.
as that the Count de Chauvannes
SHALL instantly quit France"
And that the Count de ChauvaQnes
will never dol" exclaimed that gentle
man pushing open the door where he
had been listening, and striding into
The room.
"Father!" gaspsd Marcelline. turning
whittier than the gown that she wore.
Yes, your father" blurted out the
Count, come to accompany you home.
And as for you, SIR" he continued, fac
Ing Victor with flashing eye. from this
day forward everything ls at an end
between you and this young lady.
From this day forward, you will not set
eyes on her again. II you make the
slightest attempt to speak to her, if you
attempt to enter my park or my house, l
will shoot you like common thief"
Il know that the idea Of a murder does
not frighten you, Monsieur, " sneered VIC
tor, but allow me to tell you that your
threat does not frighten me in the least
This lady is my affianced wife before
God swear to you that she shall be
x,,x, 20 hafora world md fhot the
obstacles which you may place between
us will only have the effect Of increas.
ing our mutual affection"
my authority over my daughter is
nothing to you, I suppose?" yelled the
Count, coming closer 10 Victor and as
suming threatening attitude.
The law fixes limit to the author
ity Of parents over their children, re.
Piled Victor, in a calm but ironical tone,
'and that limit will soon be reached"
The law, the law" Kissed De Chau
vannes, contemptuously. i have never
will. For whom do you take me? If
had ever given you the hope Of being
united to my daug ghter-though such
marriage might be considered as a mes
alliance-it is because I took you to be
a man OF honor, who would not suffer
all those lawyers to modest me for LOT
Of old and forgotten stories; but in.
stead Of defending me you have become
my accuser! Henceforth we are stran.
gers, enemies if you like it better. ]
| have warned you. You will have to
give up Marcelline Or that ridiculous
| lawsuit.
Neither the one nor the other" said
Victor, calmly. "Mademolselle de