The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-02-15
CHAPTER XVI.
EDGAR APPEALS IN VAIN.


conveying the welcome news that her
daughter was safe, and the earnest re.
QIest that he would come 20 her that
dav, as she wished to consult him upon
painful subject
Richard Accrington again." thought
Edgar, with rising wrath. beware,
Sir Diplomatst, that you do not go too
far, for / may feel obliged to unmask
YOU"
Having rested and refreshed himself.
Edgar inquired where he might lind LORD
lnrhCape. He was conducted to room
which went by the name Of "My Lady's
Chamber" he had been told long ago
that Lord lnchcape's beautiful second
wife had arranged it according to her
own taste. and had loved it in her time;
also, that Lord Inchcape had never en-
tered it since he lost her.
Signing the servant to leave him at
the door Edgar knocked and spoke, that
my lord might know his visitor in time
to receive or refuse him, as he desired.
Come in, Edgar, want you, called
the earl, and Edgar entered, and found,
10th his hands instantly grasped by Lord
!nchcape. whose appearance indicated
that he had been up all night. The table
was covered with papers; a burnec-out
fire Smoldcred in the crate.
II have read her story" said my lord.
"and pray God for proof of its truth.
TO win back the love of such heart
is she not a sweet soul? And If she did
for single moment falter in her 10y
atty"
Then You do not believe her?' cX-
claimed Edgar. in grieved surprise; @you
think she deceived you?"
NO, no." cried Inchcape, cmphat C.
ally: but she has deceived herself She
is now all my own; and she never was
unfaithful in look or word-she has for
gotten her heart. There must hav!
been some hope held out for Accrington,
unconSciouSly given, perhaps, but he un-
derstood it, and sold his honor through
that hope. Sweet Sonl. l have been
harsh to her as fire to a butterfly; /
should have remembered the disparity in
our ages, and not expected a perfect
love"
ALAS, my lord you never wronged
her more than you wrong her now, said
Edgar, with heartfelt fervor; yet how
can | prove it? If you will not believe
her. whom will you believe? Not even
Srcombe's testimony, from which !
hoped so much. will convince You"
That is different matter" said my
lord, eagerly. Il could believe the tes-
timony OF d;sintereSted person, when
it is an imposSibiIity for this stubborn
heart of mine to believe altogether the
emotional outpouringS of an exquisite
spirit like my Engelondr'S. after the
cruel Suffarings which she has patiently
endured for my sake She believes what
he has writ n. because it describes the
state of her heart now; but-oh, that |
could bellcve."
The last words burst from him like a
wall: he turned from his young kinSman
and gazed with unseeing eyes from a
window.
fdgars youthful anger died as he OBJ
served the naughty noble. The storm OF
misfortune which had passed over him
had wrought such a revolution in his
nature as only the afflicted know.
The spring of his mind was broken; no
longer could he hope or love or trust at
will. The cruel whisper or sad ey-
pcrience was ever at his ear reminding
him that he had been betrayed.
Edgar saw that, although Lady Inch
cape'S story had moved him to the
depths OF his heart, she had not yet
gained the victory; proof was needed.
lie counted the hours to Sircombe'S ar
rival.
He remained for some time with the
Earl, and his whole talk was OF Sleat.
ma Vrrcken. Lord Inchcape listened
like one spell-bound, saying little, but
never suffering the subject to be
changed
rlva was spoken of, but as child.
for her father had not seen her for two
years, and manlike, pictured her as ne
had last seen her, without taking note
of time. Edgar guarded the sweet
secret of his own love Loyalty; for he
was too highminded to utter his hopes
to Lord Inchcape at time whom he was
laving him under such deep obligations.
wait" he thought, proudly; "when
lie is happily reunited to his beautiful
young wife, he may give me Uiva OF MS
own free will. but this is not the time TO
crave such favor"
That afternoon Edgar rode over TO
Go onel Accr!ngton'S new purchase,
Castle Skcldraik. He was astonished at
the evidences Of unbounded wealth
which met him at every turn: he recog-
nized the strength of his opponent more
fully. and his hopes of compromise
sank.
A candidate with so much money at
command, could afford to laugh at his
forbearance-truly, it seemed aS II he
could get on without it
But he pushed forward with q grim
resolution to stand to his guns.
Enquiring for the Colonel, he was in
formed by the gent'emanly footTan
that his master was in his library, en-.
gagged with his agent.
"But he will see you, Mr.. Arden,
propheSied Hardy reverentially. @JuSt