The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-12-18
By MRS. ALEXANDER.

SAID LAMBERT. IL 1 SOulu WHY w
sure my precious Elsie we're safe"
She shall come and stay with me, y
cried Lady Gethin.
That would be going into the
lions jaw" said Glynn. "This is my
plan: 1 have learned to love your
daughter las l still consider herr
let me try and win her; and let us all
keep dark till she is my wife"
Lambert stretched out his hand to
grasp Glynn's; he tried to speak IN
vain, and burst into a fit Of bysterical
weeping.
Moreover, continued Glynn SOL
emn1y, ct promise, that if Deering
resigns his bold attempts at revenge,
no love Of mere wealth shall induce
me to open up the question of Elsie's
parentage or your past life
The sound of her fathers sobs
brought Elsie into the room, and
broke off the conversation.
= II -"
"It is altogether the most extraor-
binary romance l ever heard of, :"
said Lady Gethin, when Glynn called
a few days after these exciting dis
closures. Suppose I take Elsie
abroad with me, and you follow. You
can be married quietly, and then
snap your fingers at Deering."
You must remember l have not
yet been accepted. I have not even
tried my chance"
Pray do not lose any more time.
She would never be such fool as to
refuse you
Thanks for the compliment. I
dread the complications which would
ensue if she refuses me-"
"Fiddle-de-dee. She won't refuse
you! I would not refuse you were
I a young lady"
Glynn laughed, and then grew
grave. II was rather annoyed yes
terday to hear from Mrs. Kellett, who
is staying at her cousins school at
Clapham, that she is afraid she is
being watched"
"Well!' said Lady Gethin, II shall
make my preparations for going
abroad; and you go and settle things
with Elsie and her father. By the
way, have you found out now he es-
capped from the steamer where Vim
cent absolutely saw him en- route for
American"
by very clever dodge. Lambert
waited and watched till he found a
needy countryman about his own
height and color, who wishes to go to
New York. He offered to pay this
mans passage from Liverpool if he
would go under the name Of Lambert.
This he readily agreed to.
1t was late before Glynn reached
Garston Terrace.
When he reached the door, the
landlady informed him that Missee
was very much upset and waiting
for him in the drawing room" The
moment he entered she few to him
with outstretched hands, which he
took and tenderly held.
Why have you been SO long?
Oh! l. have seen him. FIe has fol-
lowed us here. What shall we do?
how shall we escape?"
Whom have you SEEM" asked
Glynn, drawing her to him.
Vincent" she whispered. "He
did not see me, I am sure. What
can we do? Will you not help u.s."
II would give my life to buy peace
for you, sweetest" cried Glynn, pas
sionately. "Give me the right to be
with you, to guard you and your
father! 1 love you with all my heart
and soul. Give me little love in
return! be my own dear wife.
swear, whether you are or not, that
accursed American shall do you no
harm. Elsie, beloved; will you be
mine?" He grasped her hands tight
ly, and leld her eyes with his, as if
he would penetrate her hearts secret.
At first an expression Of profoundest
amazement fitted over her face, sue
ceeded by deep burning blush, as
she shrank back from him.
Are you sure this is not compass
sion?" she asked, in a very low voice.
Compassion? No; why should it
be compassion? Do you not feel, do
you not see, that I love you, as men
rarely love?" A curious, amused
smile stole round Elsie's lips, and
her eyes sunk to the ground. What
do you smile at?" asked Glynn, sur
prised in his turn.
AT your change of mind. Some
seven or eight months ago you re-
fused to marry me-"
How do you know?" cried Glynn,
feeling as if the glowing currents in
his veins were arrested and turned
to ice.
by means of which I ought to be
and am ashamed"
Tell me-"
You were sitting after dinner with
room. The curtain was down, but |
heard him say something about my
jewel, as he so often called me, and, y
hesitating, Il listened. I knew it was
shameful, but I could not resist.
What struck me was that he offered
to go away, not to see me. I WON
dered what sort of man you could be
to need such an assurance"
What could you have thought Of
me?" cried Glynn. Can you ever
forgive my insane folly?"
oh! ] didn't mind! These plans
of marriage are often made by
thoughtful parents. You hardly knew
me then; it would have been folish
n RI 1ubot m i0bt not haua Iapn