The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-21

N+l PUNISHMENT. V4I1N
@EM AgEg
BY MARY GRACE HALPINE. *
UIEIuLIIIu
iT % SCAR HOWARD stood be
IS gl fore Isabel Lorne, pleading
with her for word OF
EO- hope, as the condemned
l@ll l9lll might plead for life at the
foot OF the gallows.
Accustomed as she was to such
things. even she was startled by the
fierce eloquence of the impassioned
words tnat fell from his lips.
Il cannot give you what do not pos
sess." she said, coldly, withdrawing
her hand from his too ardent clasp
II have no heart. Don't mistake me,
she added, as she noted the fierce
jealousy aroused by these words. III
is not that have bestowed it on any
one. l have no heart to give. l don't
think l ever had any. Men have come
to me, asking of me what you ask.
and telling me the same story. They
spoke. as you have spoken, Of feelings
and emotions which are utterly in
comprehensive to me, and in which
I could not share if I would"
Young Howard turned his eyes stead
lily upon the face Of the speaker: so
rarely beautiful in outline and color
ing, but as calm and passionless rs
a summer lake. He raised his hand
to heaven, as if invoking upon her
head q voiceless curse.
Your time will comer'
The door closed upon the speaker,
but there was something in that hag-
gard face, in those despairing eyes,
that haunted Isabel for some months
after.
II wonder if I shall ever love?' she
murmured. as, drawing down the sofa
cushion under. her head. she settled
herself for the afternoon nap with
which she usually refreshed herself
for the evening. II hope not, if it is
going to affect me as it does most
people,
How very shocking"
The sun had disappeared behind the
Western hills. and refreshed by the
quiet sleep she had. Isabel stepped
out upon the veranda when this eX-
claIlation fell upon her ear, uttered
by one of the excited group that had
gathered in one corner Of it.
What is it,"
young Howard has shot himselfr'
Fortunately. the gathering shades of
twilight concealed the face that sud-
denly blanched at these words, and
those present were too much absorbed
in their own feelinGg of astonlsnment
and horror to notice the unsteauiDess
in Isabel's voice. as she said.
What could have induced him to do
that:'
"He was. without question, insane"
said grave, pompous looking man
among the group. Insanity is hered-
itary in his family; his mother died
insane"
Isabel drew a lorg sigh of relief.
"Oh, that accounts for it, then"
'Who is he?"
Again Isabers eyes wandered across
the room to where a plainly dressed
man was standing, rather distinguished
looking. and yet not sufficiently so to
warrant the attention and interest be
seemed to excite.
There was an unmistakab!e air of
triumph in Mrs. Fane's manner, as she
replied:
La! my dear, don't you know? It's
N lurice Dudley, the new arrival. So
charming, and yet such an oddity!
Half the women are crazy after him,
though it's easily seen that he doesn't
care for them. And he doesn't mind
their knowing it, either. What do you
think he said to Mrs. Kinds, the other
evening. when she offered to intro
duce him to you-'tEe reign:ng belle,
as she called your
Isabel saw and felt the malice that
lurked beneath those smooth, dulcet
words.
How should I know she said,
with an air of Indifference that was
feigned, as Mrs. Fame we'll knew.
1--we no especial liking for reigning
belles,' he said, as grand as the Grand
Mogul himself. Wasn't that an odd
speech, my dear"
II suppose he meant it to be odd"
retorted Isabel, unable wholly to con.
ceal the wound her vanity had received
from the malicious eyes that were
watching her. cts the height of
some peoples ambition to be odd. l
don't see anything very alarming about
him. I can point you to half dozen
men in our own set better looking
than he"
I "Ah! but you should hear him talk
Hes been everywhere. / should say.
And then he has such a musical voice,
and such expressive eyes! Take him
altogether. he is the most fascinating
man ever met. though you might find
score that are handsomer."