The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-02-15
worthy, end they were old-time play

"My vanity made me lOlOnel AccrIh%-
tons dupe He begged ME to arrange
for him a short interview with Loveday,
assuring me that AuberOr-that An
beron-I will speak out; | deserve this
shame-preferrcd me to any woman.
She COY cred her burning face with her
hands. and wcpt convul>tvely: and Mrs.
Dellamere curbcd her own emotion
enough to draw her TO her bosom: and
whisper sweetest thanks for her sell
sacrificing confession.
Dear girl, YOU are not to blame. Shc
said "What are We poor simpfc-hcarted
women in the hands Of a SpeciOuS mis-
crcant whose toast is that he can use all
mankind through their weaknesses?
And my beautiful Mcrrion has her heart
ache. too. No. no. my child. there Is
nothing 10 be ashamed of: there are
few true hearted women who have not
loved"
But have they loved unSOnght?'
Sohted Merr.0n.
You are, think, mistaken in that
said Mrs. Dellamcrc, generously hiding
her keen disappointment. 81 have
fanccd many times Of late that Auberon
loved you. lie does not love my poor
Loveday, am sure OF that
"Nou did not see him as | saw him
when first we missed I.ov"day and the
Colonel" said Merrion, deSpairingly.
"Such grief and sclf-reproach | never
saw on human face"
"lle was distressed because he had
not been true 10 his trust, suggested
Mrs. Delamere, though her hopes rose.
"Ah, madam, simple chagrin never
wore such an aspect" moaned Merrlon
"Hc said hr would never return without
her-or Accrington: love and Jealousy
breathed in every accent. Ay, and
they are worthy of each other" cried
she. nobIy: and if he loves her, ! will
pray heaven that she may love him.
"iircat heart" murmured Mrs. Del
lamere. with emotion. And she pressed
one of her rare kisses upon MerriOn'S
brow.
1t was agreed between them that
nothing was TO be said about their anXi-
ETY.. and they appeared at the hunt din
ner with not cloud on their serenity
Accrington had not been seen at the
hunt, so that the continued absence OF
Miss Dcilamere and Auberon Crecy,
though gayly observed, was not con-
nected with his name.
As time wore on, Mrs Crccy'S anxiety
about the absence OF Aubrron obliged
Mrs. Dellamere TO confide the matter to
her, when her apprehcnsions rose 10
such a pitch that Edgar perceived her
misery. and connected it with the theme
Of their late conversation.
Fearing the worst from Richard Ac-
crington, he got the two ladies apart for
a moment, and implored them to make
him OF use il Miss Delamere's safety
was in question.
The terrified ladies looked beseech-
ingly at each other; should they trust
him? oh, yes, yes-if truth lived on
earth. surely it lived in Edgar Arden;
and, too, did he not possess mysterious
power over the enemy?
So they confied all to him, and the re-
suit was that he started off with fresh
horse to aid Aubcron Crecy.
All this time the honest squire had
been kept in ignorance Of the trouble;
for his place was obligatory at the head
OF tie table, and ne could not have dis
gui.ed his uneaSineSS for moment.
1t was trying to see his big, beaminS
eyes travelling round and round the
table every few minutes in search OF the
fairy Loveday and his idolized Auberon;
but he was slow OF speech, and Mrs.
Dellamerc was always ready with sally
IN time to repreSS his loud inquiries.
Then came the dance, and then indeed
the bright queen Of Joy was mi sed; but
some subtle spirit set hint circulating
that Mamma Dellamcre did not care TO
commonize her daughter by granting
the same company two appearances in
one day: so that little Loyeday was very
likely at home, dressed in cir ish cam
brio and romping with her dog, instead
of monopo,iZing all the eligible partners;
and though the gentlemen might muir
mur against madam'S policy, the ladies'
approved her maternal tenderness: and
made the best of Loveday'S absence.
Bnt where was Aubcron Crecy? That
was the next query.
"You know that Edgar Arden is re-
turned?" said Merrion Rae, very impress
Sively.
Yes. was he not at dinner? What
them"
depend upon it. lie ha' carried An
beron Crecy off with him for chat; you
know they always were wonderful
friends. Oh, we sha'n't see Auberon
Crecy here this evening: it is not every
day that an adored friend comes home"
So that explanation was accepted also:
and busy rumor had nothing as yet to
insinuatc concerning Mss Dellamere'
affairs.
The hunt dance ended, Dormant was
left to rrpose; and still Auberon had not
returned.
Mrs. Dellamcre went home to the Pa
vilion, hoping against hope that she
might find Lovoday there; but no one
greeted her save her own sleepy maid,
whom she hastily sent to bed before she
could observe that Miss Dellamere was