The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-02-15

in favor of Accrinston.
And now her own innocent Loveday
had fallen into his power: and OF what
avail had her innocence been 10 preserve
her from him?
He had craftily involved her in cir
cumStan,eS which would fatally COM
promise her. even as Engelonde Inch
care had been compromised-and the
world would be aS ready to condemn her
darling as she had been to condemn the
other.
Il NAV have wrOngcd her all these
years,o mou:ncd Mrs. DelameTe: yes.
let me confess it before Heaven, be-
Iicvc through cruel jealousy have
wrongcd the innocent Mcrcifui God,
punish NE, but not through my child!
| Take life, riches. ay, even my reason,
but spare my guiltleSS child"
She sank o. her knees on the road;
| her heart was bowed down within her:
the worldly, brilliant woman prayed.
Even as she knclt. the sound OF APP
! preaching wheels reached her-St0pped
! at the gatc-entcrcd. With stuffed
| Shrek she few toward the midnight Wis
| itorS, but even then the instinct TO con-
| ccal the dread she had endured for her
daughters sake dragged her back and
sent her the other way.
When the strangers halted at the
| door, a crimson silk curtain was lifted
from the paror window, and cheerful
| stream of light illumined the faces Of
| Col. Accrington, huberon Crecy and the
| farmers lad who had driven them.
Mrs. nellamere drew back from the
| window with one last thror Of anguish.
"He is here. but where is my daugh-
| ter' Has he married her already?'
| thought she. But she appeared At the
door with composed mien.
Auberon claSped her hands: his eyes
were flashing with JOY.
"She is safe at Farmer Growers
house." said he: "therc was an accident,
and she was exhausted, though unhurt;
we both came to tell YOU"
But Accrington was in one OF his
| dark, silent RACES: he dcigneu no in
| formation.
"And this lad does he return home
| to-night?" indicating the gaping farm
| er'S boy.
Auberon had arranged that he should
obtain refreshment for himself and his
| horse at DORMANT, and return immc-
ululclN. UCdl HhSSSu-N -'A''
| Dellamere might wish TO send Miss
Deilamere.
He dispatched him to DORMANT then.
| promising to bring him the message
| soon.
The three were left in the vestibue;
Mrs DeIlanrre would not ask Col. Ac-
crngton inside her door. The bright
lamplight from the window Shone full
upon his lowering face Mrs. Della
mere turned on him with commanding
gesture.
Speak. Col. Accrington; / presume
YOU are here to do so And pray be
concise. for this is the last time Mrs.
Dellamere shall have the honor OF an in
tcrview with Col Accrington."
Her witherng tones reused him.
MADAM" said he, quietly, Il am
here to say that unless marriage fol-
lows the imprudence committed to-day,
Miss Dellamcre'S innocent rame will be
the prey of every foul mouth i'll Stafford.
l shall marry her."
@Never. never" calculated Mrs. Del
lamere, growing pale as death: "you
have doubtless played the game very
adroitly, and will have a rich revenge.
III sun L SHtlIl 'iCi' dI yOu. -
it, be as YOU say. that You have put my
daughters name in every foul mouth in
Stafford, ] shall take her far from En-
gland and begin new life. The grave
were preferable to union with YOU"
Think, fair friend; marriage will
save her." said Accrington. softly; "are
you right 10 sentence your innocent
daughter to be infamouSly slandered, to
the breaking OF her heart and the ruin
of her prospects,"
"Ah, have mercyl' gasped the un-
| happy mother" covering her ears with
| her hands. What demon inspires this
man. that he can play on human heart
strings whatever tune he in his wicked
| ness desires? My daughter. my sun
bright Ioyeday. scorned and Shamcd.
her spirits cruShed-her heart broken!
| oh, my God, is there no way to save her
| but this way"
She wfung her hands and wept, and
Ac.rington, leaning in the easiest atti-
| tude, drank in her despair with eXulting
| Joy. lie thought he had yanquished the.
mother: and in his elatOn he felt quite
| strong enough to vanquiSh the dau 5hter
| in turn.
Auberon suddenly spoke.
Il have waited to hear Colonel Ac-
! crington's apologies for the distress he
| has caused two helpless ladies'; and his
| assurances that no harm has been done.
| hear, instead. a threat that Miss Della
| mere shall be DETAINED if she does not
marry him. Marriage will save her. you
are quite surr of that, sir?'
| Accrington bowed low and mockinglY.
! Auberon took Mrs Delamere's cold and
| trembling hand, and caresscd it between
| his own warm nervous ores.
"Then marriage shall save her!" cried
he flushing up, and fixing his sparkling
| eyes beseechinghly upon Mrs. Della