The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-10-03
CHAPTER XL.
CONTINUED.

CONTINUED.
Pauline felt some vague but trouble
some stir OF excitement in her heart
when Colonel Loring came to remind
her of the promised dance. It was as
If she feared him and yet felt drawn
toward him; as if some mystery in
his nature or character possessed q
fascination, while at the same time 1T
suggested dark doubts.
There is lure in yelled and shadowy
things; we cannot resist the influence
of those elusive elements which, in
some way, like fine films of connec-
tion, set US in communication with
the unusual, the strange, the romantic.
It is especially dangerous for young
GIRL to come within the reach OF such
an influence when a strong-willed and
handsome man is at the base OF it.
The snake and the bird, tho fascina-
tion of deadly thing-we all know
how nature lends to fatal venom the
tender glow of precious elixir.
Colonel Loring was an interesting
talker. He had travelled in many
lands. His mind was stored with
recollections of adventure, of periis
by land and sea, and these he could
set in contrast with pleasant ex-
periences Of social life in many y gay
city of the old world, He was in the
early prime of manhood, strong, in
perfect health, and he had, when he
wished, q way of sending his vigor
through his firm, positive voice into
every word he spoke. .
In his presence, with his hand
clasping hers now and again during
the old-fashioned dance, Pauline felt
that she was acting a part IN
romance, and the sensation lifted the
color into her cheeks and lips.
When the dance ended, Colonel
Loring slipped her arm through his
and led her through broad, gar
landed doorway into the conserva.
tory. \,
US take turn or two up and down
this charming aisle. This is like
Mexico" he said, touching vigorous
cactus. "I can almost feel the winds
of the plains" -
Life here must seem very dull and
tame to you after all your stirring ad-
ventures" she suggested, looking up
with frank interest into his face.
"No. It is delightful. I am enjoy.
ing every moment of it. I wish I
could forget my whole past and begin
anew from this moment"
There was a ring of infinite regret
in his words, along with something
wistful, that thrilled Pauline's heart.
She was about to speak with all the
outright sympathy of her impulsive
nature; she was going to enter straight.
way into the spirit of his mood; her
words were already at her lips, and
her eyes were upturned to his with
an expression Of earnestness and deep
interest, when, just at the angle OF the
way between some tall vases, they
came upon Fairfax standing quite still
with folded arms. His eyes met
Pauline's as she turned them quickly
from Loring's face. Then the two
men exchanged glances which con-
& !veye6 no sign of pleasure. A deadly
hatred, indeed, which had been kept
hidden by both, showed itself
ominously, as Loring, with head high
and sinister smile on his lips, passed
Oh, taking Pauline with him.
She felt in some indirect way the
change that passed over the dark face
of the man whose arm she was touch.
ing. and something in the manner oi
Fairfax affected her unpleasantly. Al
the moment she did not examine, or,
in fact. fully realize her impression
but later, when Lieutenant Ballanche
was telling her that in day or two
he was going away to report to General
Jackson at some place in the interior,
and when she saw how piqued and
almost savage he looked as he glanced
Of Parker who was dancing again with
Mademoiselle de Sezannes, she sud
denly understood or half understood
what was happening, save that it was
impossible to connect herself with it.
These men, she surmised, were, all
four of them, ready to quarrel about
Mademolselle de Sezannes, and the
thought at once suggested duel OF
two.
In those days 'duels were of almost
daily and nightly occurrence in New
Orleans and at the famous dueling
grounds of the surrounding country
Consequently death on the swords
point or at the pistols mouth was not
so shocking to think of as it is now.
The creole girl of our story's time
could not fairly understand the philos.
ophy of it, but still she recognized
the importance of what was called
"the only method by which insulted
honor may be defended and purified, y
or as another old writer states it: "the
swiftest, the fairest and the most salts
factory mode of settling, matters oi
deadly concern between gentlemen.
The party at Chateau dor was like
ly to be pleasantly remembered; but
it was also, as we shall see, the gen
Grating point for some disagreeable
developments and some strange anG
sinister complications.
"It has been delightful, charming"
exclaimed Mrs. Vernon, fiinging her
self into Pauiine's arms after the last
guest had gone. every one was
happy and how lovely the whole
house was! And you were so beauti
full; dear, so very, very beautiful!"