The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-08-04
THE MAN SHE LOVED |
-HS&*%- I
By EFFIE ADELAIDE ROWLANDS.



, think hardly of me, but perhaps when
| YOU have heard all, you will not judge
me so hardly nor blame me as you
must do now"
While she said this she was think
ing swiftly: II must tell her some
story-for 1 must hold her fast; /
shall need her-but not the truth!
No, no; if George Laxon is dead, the
! past shall die with him"
She paused for an instant in agita-
ton, as Enid thought, but in reality
to gain time.
IF it distresses you, Dorothy, do
not speak; I I'M not curious, and"
But Dorothy put up her hand.
Il wv it to you to speak, Enid,
for I fear, dear, you must have been
tempted to doubt me. I must be
| brief, for Gervais may be here at any
moment. Stop down. will not let
| even the walls hear my secret"
Enid bent her head o~bediently, and
her heart thrilled with some indie
Enable fear.
The man I saw last night was
n who held Gervais in his power.
He-he-ah, Enid, it goes to my
heart to say it!-he possessed the
secret of some youthful, boyish wrong
may, crime!-of what nature I will
not tell you. You remember the day
Of the garden party, when my poor
father died?"
"Yes," said Enid, family, wonder
ing what new pain this was that was
| stealing into her heart. Gervais the
culprit! Gervais a criminal! The
thought was torture.
THAT was the beginning of my
misery" Dorothy said, impressively;
she saw that Enid believed every
word she said, and she could have
laughed even in her anxiety at her
easy success. This mar found out
that I was going to marry Gervais, and
he came to me and told me this awful
| secret, thinking to destroy my
darling's happiness; but I did what
/ you would have done, Enid. I re-
fused to believe it and threatened the
man with a stronger power if he did
, not go Immediately. To this, dear,
came a fearful answer; if 1 did not
I give him a certain sum of money
without delay, he would give informa-
ton to the police and have Gervais
| dragged from his home and thrown
I! into prison. What would you have
done, Enid?"
Dorothy was acting splendidly, and
her flushed cheeks seemed tinged
| only with indignation at the remem-
brance of the wrong that had been
done to her husband.
II was too alarmed, too Mortified
to think twice. I temporized with the
man and gave him all he asked. I
would have done this three times over
to save my darling from such horrible
shame and misery. So from time to
time he has logged me, never salts
fed, always threatening to disclose
this awful secret for which I have
paid so much; and last night, WREN
he spoke slightingly Of Gervais, l
struck at him suddenly. I was mad.
I had no knowledge of what I was
doing. You understand that, don't
you Enid?"
But" Enid asked in a low, panied
voice, did you believe this-this
man, and doubt Lord Derriman with
out proof? Why did you not go to
your husband and tell him of what he
was charged? Surely you would take
his word before all the world's?"
Dorothy bit her lip and bent her
head.
"Ah! Enid, I had nc need to go to
Gervais, for unfortunately I discov-
cred this man Laxon's tale was only
too true. But l don't blame Gervais.
No, no; he was only a boy, wild and
impetuous; he had no thought of
wrong"
Enid still said nothing. What could
she say? Could she turn round and
tell Dorothy the burning verdict of
her thoughts? All confidence, how
ever, was ended, for Dorothy sprang
suddenly to her feet.
Il hear Gervais coming; unlock the
door, Enid, and remember, never
breathe a word of this to a living
soul. I am on my guard, and you
! shall see how we'll I can act even in
the midst of this overwhelming dan
ger and fear"
| Enid unlocked the door and went
into the dressing room to turn the
key there, just as Gervais came in.
mot gone to the hunt?" cried Dor
othy, lightly; why, how is this?" but
her heart stood still. What if he had
found some trace Of her on the dead
man?
Enid had come out slowly. She
forced a smile to her lips.
Roses are not natural to me, Lord
Derriman," she said, quietly, and in
deed, l am very we'll"
Now tell us, darling, what is this
troublesome business that. has taken
you away from your hunting? Can't
it be put OFF,"
Gervais shook his head.
Il suppose l had better tell you,
Dorothy" he said, with something
like a sigh, las it is sure to reach
you by some means or other"
Then very gently and tenderly he
spoke Of the dead man, and Dorothy
~shuddered naturally, and clung to
him a little.
And is he quite-quite dead, Ger
, yais?'