The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-12-04
CHAPTER TX.
The Secret of the Prison House.

1t was many a month since Glynn
enjoyed such refreshing sleep as
soothed his weary brain that night.
All must turn out we'll, while Elsie
was the same, untouched, unchanged.
To him she seemed more charming
in her grief and terror than in the
freshness of her beauty, which first
attracted him. Though full of pas
sion, his love was pure and true. A
quiet home, with such a companion
what could be a fairer lot? Would
the day ever come when she would
let him hold her to his heart, when
her soft arms would steal around his
neck, and her sweet, sad, tremulous
lips return his kisses?
He started in good time the next
day and spent a long, enhancing, dis
turbing afternoon with Elsie and her
father.
With the latter he had not much
private conversation, and in that little
Lambert told him that he had discoy-
cred early in their renewed &C
quaintanceship that Deering had
fallen in love with Elsie; that he
knew him to be a daring and unscru-
pulous man, and that moreover he
had a very strong hold over Lambert
himself, which made it exceedingly
difficult to protect his daughter; and
to cut the Gordian knot he deter
mined to hide her. This was so far
successful, but the conviction that
it was impossible to keep up the game
was pressing on him, and, with the
consciousness of failing health, al
most drove him mad.
MAY I dine with you t~ete-a-tete
the day after tomorrow? / have
much to tell" This request reached
Lady Gethin one morning at break
fast and threw her into a state of de-
lighted anticipation.
"You are looking a different be-
ing" she said, when they had settled
into their places for a long talk after
dinner. What have you been about?
Have you found your young woman"
Glynn looked straight at her and
to her amazement replied, II have"
well, ! always said you would
Do tell me all about it,"
And Glynn began at the beginning
and did tell her everything.
This is indeed extraordinary"
she exclaimed with unusual gravity,
at the end of his narrative. But,
after all, they have told you very lit
tie; there is some ugly secret be-
hind"
II suspect there is" very gravely.
Now that you have found your
fair Helen, what are you going to do
with herr" asked Lady Gethin.
Marry her." was the unhesitating
reply.
Good heavens, Hugh! you are not
in e~arnest?"
Very much in earnest, I assur
you"
But your future father-in-law may
be a murderer
But my wife is not a m%urderess.'
mot yet! Remember, crime IS
often hereditary. Why, you will spoil
your life"
1T will be ruined without her"
And while the noble father is
taken to Newgate, the happy pair will
start for the Continent and return in
time for the execution! I could shed
tears yer you, Hugh"
Instead of hurting your eyes, do
me a very great favor. Come with
me tomorrow, and let me introduce
you to Miss Lambert"
II shall do nothing Of the kind!
How car you expect me to encourage
you in such insanity"
Because your encouragement or
encouragement will not affect my de-
cision. Come and see the girl who
has drawn me to her so magnetically;
help me to save her, for as she pos
sesses my soul I am resolved to give
her my life
II protest, Hugh, you are a lover
worth having. ] hope she values you
as you deserve"
Il do not think she has an idea /
am a lover"
Then you have not asked her to
marry you?" cried Lady Gethin.
Il have not ventured as yet; 1
am trying to prepare the way"
Then" said Lady Gethin, II will
come, and you must agree to listen to
any objections which may occur to
me-"
Agreed"
when shall l go?" resumed Lady
Gethin. Il confess l am dying to see
this lady-love of yours, this heroine
of a still unsolved mystery. May I
go tomorrow"
Glynn took her hand and kissed it.
Thank you," was all he said.
Not Tomorrow" resumed Glynn,
after a pause. Il must give Lambert
warning. ! will settle with him and
Elsie when they shall receive you.
AT present l am not quite SO uneasy
about them, for Deering is out Of
town"
"Deering is not out of town; I saw
him at the opera last night"
Indeed" Then after a pause, ut
is amazing how Lambert has escaped
detection SO far, but it is inevitable.
why he breads it, and what he is
afraid of, remains to be told"
Hugh" said Lady Gethin, Il wish
you would give me a promise not to
declare yourself to Miss Lambert un-
til you know the whole truth"
mo, Lady Gethin, I will not pledge
myself to anything" returned Glynn,
Smiling.
The. next dav. glad of an excuse to