The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-02-01

crington in a tone Of poignant grief,
chow shall I screen her? What repara-
ton shall / offer her for the wrong
have done her? You little know how
evil are the thoughts Of those who seem
our friends, Miss Dellame-e," resumed
he, tendcrly; "a simple improperly like
this OF To day has often doomed the in
nocent 10 the suspicion and scorn OF
society,""
"Oh. you are cruel! you have no pity!"
, faltercd Loyeday, suddenly bursting
into an agony of tears. as her girlish
Scnsibility at last succumbed to his re-
pcatcd attacks and her fears over
whclmcd her: "if you had been worthy
of the trust you asked Of me i should
not have been in this false position now. 1"
81 deserve your reprOacheS, said Ac-
crington, humbly; but not for ventur-
ing to show you the edge of the pIecipice
upon which you are standing. This |
am obliged to do TO prevent you from
committing yourself TO the destruction
which awaits you. For there is pre-
Ncntion."
lie uauSrd to allow her tcrrors to rack
her into q mood for his purpose: She
crushed back her agitation and cndeay-
ored to follow his meaning, her mute
glance bidding him continue.
Accrington once more took her reluct'
ant hand in his, and fixed his fiery eyes
upon hers; she could not escape him,
and in spite OF tho fierce repulsion she
felt toward him the imperious power OF
VIII Subdued her raging spirit TO listen
paSsiveIy to that which Ee now was
ready to say.
Miss Dcllamerc," began he. with soft,
respectful tenderness, this not the time
TO dcscant upon my love for YOU; you
have long seen it, and the future Will
prove it's sincerity. in this, your hour
of need. my love gives me 4 right 10 say
10 you, Make me your protector anl You
are safe from every WHISPER. Accept
me for your future husband. bctroth
Yourself to me. and the World has moth
ing left to say"
For few moments Lovcday remained
speech cSS, returning her over passion
ale gaze with look Of fear and amazc-
ment: it seemed to her that he had sud
denly opened a door through which s2c
could see into a dark country, flied with
shadowy forms of horror. \ host OF
vague suspicious bcSct her: 1t needed
not the passing memory of Auberon tc
make her shrink back from this man as
if he had been serpent
81 do not ask your answer now" Ac-
crngton fastened to aid, as he saw the
stern refusal on her lips: but think of
what have said: think Of how much
dependS upon your decision; and, above
all, realize the fact that / am your loya'
friend, whatever may befall. And now
! shall conduct you to place where you
may take some rest while i attend TO
your marc"
Without giving her chance to utter
a dissenting word he hurried her for
ward to the pretty rustic village inn,
and the prospect Of being relieved from
his presence for even short time went
far to reconcile her to the dreaded ne
cesslty of appearing before the public
in the company of Colonel Accrington.
Content to leave the case thus Tor the
prcseEi since, deprived OF her horse,
she won be complete y in his power,
he murnurcd q few asst tender reasSur-
anCcs and they were before the SILVER
stream. Arms" the cynoSure OF all the
admiring loungcrS about tn, inn court
The aldlord advanced TO receive his
dist ngu she'd company, and AccrinSton
spoke loudly, for the benefit OF the Gu
riouS listeners:
Can this lady obtain private room
for short time, while her pony'S hurt
hoof is b ing examined? We haze been
detained behind our party by the accl-
dent and wish to follow them as soon as
possible"
The portly landlady instantly appeared
to take care Of the young LAZY, and Ac-
crington pres nted his hand to assist
Loveday to dismount, but she, co'dly
waving him aside, rode to the mount
ing bio k and alighted unassist2d, van
ishing with the woman with forma!
bow to her escort When he turned from
wa itching her departure, mootily. he was
iu,t in time to see an oStlrr in the at OF
extracting o sharp flint from the un-
lucky Ahmed'S hoOf.
"If We had cast half a glance ye would
have seen it yourself. MASTER" grinned
the man. oding it up for inspection:
"its wonder the poor brute walked
STEP"
Accrington impatiently hurried him
off with the horses casting nervous
look toward The open window near.
Doubtless he feared that Miss Della-
mere would be needlessly panied if she
overheard the cause OF her fayorite's s
sutferingS
His whole object now was to spin out
the time till it would be too late for
Loyeday to take the road for such Il
long journey that night He had pro-
posed her betrothal to him: he meant to
propose an clope ent now; he was ready
for it. His who.c day had been governed
by that intention.
Having sent in some tea to Miss Del
lamere and re reshed himself, he quietly
locked the stable door upon the two
horses and wake away to rertect some