The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-08-27
CHAPTER XL.
CONTINUED.


II she feared him and yet felt drawn
toward him; as if some mystery in
his nature or character possessed a
fascination, while at the same time it
suggested dark doubts.
There is q lure in yelled and shadowy
things; we cannot resist the influence
af those elusive elements which, in
sone way. like fine films of connec-
tion, set us in communication with
flae unusual, the strange, the romantic.
Ii is especially dangerous for young
@irl to come within the reach of such
an influence when q strong-willed and
hendsome man is at the base OF it.
The snake and the bird, tho fascina-
tica of deadly thing-we all know
how nature lends to fatal venom the
tcuder glow of precious elixir.
Colonel Loring was an interesting
taiker. He had travelled in many
lands. His mind was stored with
recollections of adventure, of perils
by land and sea, and these he could
aet in contrast with pleasant ex-
periences of social life in many gay
city of the old world. He was in the
eariy prime of manhood. strong, ~
perfect health, aud he had, when he
wished, a way of sending his visor
fArough his firm, positive voice into
every word he spoke.
In his presence, with his hand
elasping hers now and again during
the old-fashioned dance, Pauline felt
that she was acting a part in o
xunance, and the sensation lifted the
eolar into her cheeks and lips.
Wkea the dance ended, Colonel
Loring slipped her arm through his
and led her through broad, gar
landed doorway into the conserva-
tory.
1'It is deliciously cool here. Let
as take turn or two up and down
ssis charming aisle. This is like
Mexico" he said, touching vigorous
cactus. ''I eau almost feel the winds
af the plains"
<'Life here must seem very dull and
tame to you after all your stirring ad-
ventures" she suggested. looking up
with frank interest into his face.
-'No. It is delightful. I am enjoy
Ing every moment of it. I wish I
soxad forget my whole past and begin
.aaew from this moment"
There was ring of infinite regret
nm his words. along with something
wistful, that thrilled Pauline's heart.
She was about to speak with all the
uutrigdt sympathy of her impulsive
aStare; she was going to enter straight
xxy into the spirit of his mood; her
vords we're already at her lips, and
her eyes were upturned to his with
IN expression of earnestness aud deep
snterest, when. just at the angle Of the
way between some tall vases, they
came upon Fairfax standing quite still
with folded arms. His eyes met
Yssine's as she turned them quickly
!: from Loring's face. Then the two
,SnAp exchanged glances which con-
Sxxyed no sign Of pleasure. A deadly
haired, indeed. which had been kept
hIddea by both, showed itself
ousiaously, as Loriug, with head high
snd sinister smile on his lips, passed
: on, taRiag Pauline with him.
She felt in some indirect way the
change that passed over the dark face
of the man whose arm she was touch
Hssg, and something in the manner OF
Fairfax affected her uupleasantly. At
ahe moment she did not examine, or,
In fact. fully realizs her impression;
hnt later, when Lieutenant Ballanche
vas telling her that in day or two
he vas going away toreportto General
.Jackson at some place in the interior,
and when she saw how piqued and
almost savage he looked as he glanced
ak Parker who was dancing again with
Maaemoiselle de Sezannes, she sud-
denly understood or half understood
what vas happening. save that it was
1rnpossible to connect herself with it.
These men, she surmised, were, all
four of them, ready to quarrel about
Nademoiselle de Sezannes, and the
fhonght at once suggested duel Or
two.
Ia those days duels were of almost
daily and nightly occurrence IN New
Orleans and at the famous dueling
grouads OF the surrounding country.
Consequently death on the swords
point or at the pistols mouth was not
80 shocking to think OF as it is now.
The creole girl of our story's time
eozld not fairly understand the philos'
ophy of it, but still she recognized
&hs importance of what was called
@ethe only method by which insulted
honor may be defended and purified, "
or as another old writer states it: "the
swiftest, the fairest and the most salts
factory mode of settling matters OF
deadly concern between gentlemen. y
The party at Chateau dor was like
iy to be pleasantly remembered; but
1t vas also, as we shall see, the gem
Grating point for some disagreeable
developments aud some strange and
sinister complications.