The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-21
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| heart OF Which She had not supposed
herself capable-how easily be could
turn from her to any other, forget
ting, apparently, her very existence.
She could not but know that he took
strong interest in her, but of what
nature this interest was she tortured
herself vainly to determine. She often
caught his eyes fixed intently upon
her, q strange, inscrutable. look in
them, which made her heart futter
with the vague and delightful hopes
to which it gave rise.
Mr.. Dudley'S moods were very vari-
able, to say the least. Sometimes he
saw her almost daily, and then absent
ed himself for days at time; some
times he came into the room where she
was without speaking to o. even look
ing at her, and then lie was almost
lover-like in his looks and manner.
In this way Isabel was kept for
some weeks in state of alternate hope
and fear, thus experiencing the tor
ments she had herself inflicted so often
and so remorselessly.
Il thought that you did not believe
in love?"
The two-Isaba and Mr.. Dudley
were alone together, which seldom oc-
Cured.
| Isabel's heart beat fast: there was
something in the look and tone of the
speaker that strengthened her hopes
almost to certainty. She determined
to bring matters to crisis.
THAT was before"-the eyes lifted
to those that were regarding her SO
intently, We're wondrously bright-"be-
fore I met you, Maurice"
And so you do love me, Isabel"
A swift, burning flush swept up over
neck and bosom, even to the temples.
More than life-better than my own
soulw
| The silence that followed fell coldly
| on the heart that gave utterance to
this passionate outDurst, and the look
which met the questioning glance that
Isabel lifted to that dark, stern face,
struck more colder still.
But she had go1e 90 Tar to retreat
now.
Even as I believe-as must believe
you love me-
Did l ever say that I loved you?'
Isabel was silent for some moments.
He never had, as she vas BUNDLED
and sick at heart 20 remember.
Not in words, perhaps, but there
are ways, there are looks, far more
eloquent"
True. But did you never look a
love that you did not feel?-fllins the
cup of hope and Joy to the very brim,
and dashing it to earth as it was raised
to the eager lip"
She had done this many. many times,
as she we'll knew. But she had no
thought for this now.
"You do love me, Maurice"
Not many men could have resisted
that appealing look.
Taking a Iocket from his breast. Mau-
rice Dudley touched the spring. re-
vealing q fair young face, almost in
fantine in its innocence and beauty.
This is all that remains to me OF
the only woman 1 have ever loved
that ever shall love. If there are such
things as angels. she is one now
The fierce jealousy that had taken
possession of Isabel's heart was fol-
lowed by a sense of relief at the con-
Guiding sentence. She made no effort
to disguise the joy that flashed from
the suddenly lifted eyes.
Dead"
Murdered! And By hands as soft
and white, and beautiful as yours,
lady"
Isabel shrank. she scarcely knew
why, from that burning gaze.
"How-how terrible"' she faltered.
"Ay, it was terrible, as you will
find. Woman, it WIS you that muir
dered herr
~"
"You! Do you remember Oscar How
ard, he whom your vile arts drove to
despair, to madness, to death? He was
her brother, her only brother, and
when the terrible tidings reached her,
her gentle heart broke. Now. farewell.
Tomorrow. at this time, l shall be
many miles from here"
The despair. the agony in Isabel
Lorne's face was something terrible
to look upon.
But you will return? Oh, Maurice.
I repent-I repent! Do not utterly
forsake me"
II shall never return! My work
here is done. In your victims letter
to his sister he related your words
to him the last time he saw you. l
came to revenge his death and hers,
! who fell by your hand as well; to
teach you that you have a heart that
can feel and love. and suffer as other
hearts do. May this knowledge make
you a better. if not happier, woman.
Farewell forever."-New York Weekly.
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