The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-12-10

Il
not do that"
"Why not?" he demanded, with
something like brutal emphasis.
"What should hinder me? These
Americans have set a price on my
head; and, besides, I am Scotch
man. 1 owe my allegiance to my
country"
The scene in the theatre rose in
| MademoiseIle de SeZannes's memory
at once, and so wildly that she
clasped her hands and uttered a little
cry of pain and anger.
Loring smiled sardonically. feeling
her thought, as it were, flung upon
| him.
"This country is too small for both
me and my enemies" he smiled, "and
SO for a few days leave them in pos,
session; but when I return" and his
face showed sudden concentration
/ of passion, "when return they will
be glad to get out of my way"
He turned and waved his hand, and
his men retired from the house.
go give them something to eat,
he seid to Lapin.
Then he began trarnping heavily
back and forth across the floor.
Pauline went to him and timidly
vet with a certain tirmness laid her
! band on his arm. She walked beside
him. 1t was a strange picture they
made. The girls impulse could not
have been explained by her; she felt
| as if she could save him, as if some
! great spring in her nature compelled
| her t. try.
TIE thought tlrat the British army
was very near her had affected Mrs.
Vernon to such degree that she
could not feel the full force of what
was impelling Pauline. As for Mad
emoiselle de Sezannes, she stood
shivering with chill of blended emo
tions while she gazed at Loring.
1t is the last refinement of torture
, when we feel that we hate and detest
and yet have to admire. Lorlng COM
PEELED Mademoiselle de Sezannes's ad-
miration in some mysterious way.
His manly beauty, marred with the
gloom of evil as it was, had yet the
fascination which captivates while it
repels.
"Do not co." murmured Pauline;
"stay with us. do not know why,
but / feel that cannot let you CO."
Her appeal was so simply spoken,
so earnest, so evidently straight from
the heart that Loring looked down
into her face with sudden softening
of his cruel eyes. He did not speak,
but she saw his look.
"You know that it is not right for
you to-"
"Rightp he interrupted. "I Inever
did right thing in my life. Doing
right would be new experience"
"Begin Dow," she urged. 'You
will find it very comforting"
"Do you know who l am?' he de-
manded, almost grufiy.
"Yes, I know"
"No, you do not. If you did, you
would not touch me, speak to me,
! look at me. You would abhor me-"
81 heard your name just O while
ago."
"Ah, that name! Yes, you heard
| that. Is it not dreadful to you?"
"You might be good man yet"
"The words come easily; but deeds
are not 50 lightly fashioned. If 1 had
always had one like you to influence
me-
"It is yourself that must do that.
You are no child to be influenced. l
am scarcely more than child myself,
but I know that"
"You know absolutely nothing"
IT know that, if you would try, you
| could be good man. Forgive me, if
+ say that you are bad; but"
He laughed outright and looked at
her as one looks at child when it has
said some laughable thing.
She let go his arm and stood facing
| him. Her attitude and her fresh deli
| cate beauty made her look like tall.
graceful flower.
He reached hand and half caress'
ingly touched her hair. 1t was the
thing that brother would have done:
there was no way of resenting it.
'I'd rather have biscuit than a
lecture" he said, lir"''- enough.
"Can't you offer me something to eat
and drink? I'm hungry.
eyes, certainly"
They together approached Mrs. Yer
non and Mademoiselle de Sezannes,
who had been standing helplessly look
ing upon what was to them an mex
plicable scene.
"Colonel Loring has not had din
ner," Pauline said to her mother; eve
must be hospitable.
Mademoiselle de Sczannes shrank
away as they came up.
Loring noticed this and gave her a
smile which made his face show all oi
it's evil beauty. He waved his hand
at her and said:
"You hate me becpuse l punished
Ballanche for his impudence." His