The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-03-01

weeping bitterly. h.r hopes completely
crushed.
Accriugton could only gmaw his lip in
sickcning abaScmcnt. How could he
have hoped that he could build ella m
on that act Of common honesty? She
on.y dcspSed him the more for the
OF .ouS Suggestion.
lie thought the end had cone, but no.
To hiS surprise, she came to him pres
emily. and began to plead with her whole
soul for Lord In,hcarc. Would not
Co oucI AccrinSton perform this just act,
and be worthy Of her lifelong gratitude
and prayers
He stDCd mute and frowning. and let
her pour forth hc" sweet beSceching: he
was weaving his ,."b Of thought buSily.
When he had formLd his purpose. a
peculiar fash lit his gloomy eye-a faint
smi q played about his mouth for mo-
mrnt: but he Subducd all such signs Of
sclf-gratu alton before the simple girl
could catch their evil significance, and
with wcll-feignGd agitation said:
"lOu nave con iucred. How can ]
resist You! love you: YOU bid mo de-
stroy mysclf-for cold duty'S sake alone.
Well, / obey you. Ila. ha! will Crecy
loIc you like that? but let that pass;
since 1 make rcparatiOn to mT ancient
foe at your command, viii you DO my
agent? all. you shrink from the suggcS-
ton forgive me. what right have to
expect any sympathy or support from
yoA?"
"You wrong me, Colonel Accrington,
indeed you Go.7 faltercd Loveday. who
could scarce believe him for joy. Il owe
you all the aid | can give you, besides
my heartfelt gratitude. Yet J cannot
see how | dare intermcddlo in Lord
Inchcapc's private affairs"
Il exact no such imprudcncc: simply
ask YOU to be the bearer Of u do 'umcnt
whicn Lord Inchcape would give his life
10 obtain-fOr it will establish
"I will carry il to him" Lovcday in
tcrrupted hastily, shrinking from learn
ing any more OF the Earls secret from
his enemy at is a small return u
make for all that yon are willing to sui-
fer IN the cause of right"
Accrington could not quite reprcSs
fitting sncer, but fastened towards his
purpose.
Il thank YOU, Miss Dellamcre; with
your cooperation | feel strong enough
10 complete the sacrifice without finch
ing. Without it. confess 1 dread the
whisper ngs Of my stubborn pride, for
you must not forget how much am
about to lose If do this thing-the best
OF my existence"
Il shall take the document to Lord
Inchcape." murmured Loveday again.
when shall you send it mc?'
Il shall not send it: 1 shall trust no
human being save you with the weapon
which is 10 destroy me. | shall bring II
to you-to-night--"
He paused: she looked up wondering
ly at his pale ia @ and glitterins eyes.
10 night" he continued: "and you
must conc TO ne: | shall be ~ yOndcr
gate in the wall waiting you. And you
must come 4 one"
Lovcday started, flashing I suspicious
look at HIN.
That l. too much to expect, said
she haughtily; there can be no neccSSi--
ty for such q thing: and have not
found you SO trustworthy that should
trust you aga n dec Inc to ccnc here
alone to meet COlonc! Accr.ngton to-
night
lie lung on his heel with a short
laugh.
That ends the matter" said l." horSh-.
Iy: u, too decline to grant Miss Della
mere prayer. Farewell"
lie was actually going, thought Love
day. and once more all her hopes were
vanishing away: she could not but re-
call the willy schemer, just rs he had in
tended.
"You may have reasons for such 4 re-
quest: at least let me hear them" said
shn anXiously.
II have, but fear that they will have
little weight with Miss Dcllamere," re-
torted he bitterly. My own safety dc.
pcndS upon the fidelity of my messenger.
Bah. why humiIiate myself nccdlesSly?
will plead no more. You were not III
earnest, neither was I. Let US consider
The whole matter est"
Il cannot-I dare not" cried she III
great distress. Il should be wret he'd
forever if / were to abandon Lord Inch
cane. now that you make it depend on
me whether YOU will do him Justice or
not. Is there no other way?'
THAT way or none" said Accrington,
Starnly Am 4 dog to be treated with
o! en- d sirius. ut the same time that you
are .ady to accept such terri bic sac
rilicc from me? Enough: my safety re-
quircS some precaution. and in the whole
worli You are the only being to whom |
feel inclined u trust it,"
# will come" fal;cred Loycday,
trembling.
lie drew Il lCng breath Of intense relief.
Thank you!" said he. earnestly. Il
snail be at tnc gate by nine o'c.ock to-
night with the paper, which you will not
deliver until 10 morrow morning. L
must bc far away ere then
tie cazed sadly in the sweet, troubled
face before him: his voice softened and
sank Il shall not fail you, Lovcday,
nrnn thouuh | am dcSi irOEing my life at