The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-09-01

| fast and commanded him by their
misery. Did I not say that some day
my peace and happiness would go,
and I should be disgraced? Answer,
so that Lord Derriman may know that
that he is wrong in doubling any
one but me-"
Dare, for Heavens sake, speak!
Is this true?" Gervais broke in wildly.
Dare hesitated a moment; he had
no knowledge of what this mystery
meant, but he saw that Enid was de-
nouncing herself to screen another
person, and that she called on him
to help her, as he had wished she
might do that first day he ever saw
her.
This is a horrible position, but I
suppose I must speak, Miss Leslie.
You are right" he said, slowly, and
with much difficulty.
And you gave my wife's name as
your own" said Gervais, looking at
Enid with contempt and disgust.
You dared to do this thing?"
YES" she faltered, shrinking
from the cold, cruel gaze of his clear
eyes. II dared to do it,"
Gervais waited a moment.
II have nothing more to say to you,
Miss Leslie, except that I should pre-
fer that my wife did not come too
much in contact with you. 1 thought
you so frank, so pure and good, and I
find you false and deceitful. What
ver your shameful secret may be, 1t
is nothing to me; but you must see
for yourself that Lady Derriman's
house can be your home no longer!"
With that Gervais pushed past the
girls trembling form, and Dare up
right n with the dark face dyed
crimson with indignation and pain at
these words, and strobe quickly away.
Enid gave a little cry and buried
her face in her hands as he went.
Miss Leslie! Enid! What does
this all mean? In Heavens name,
tell me all, for I confess I do not com-
prehend one single scrap of it,"
Enid lifted her face; it was tear
less, but as white as the snow around
them.
ut means that I have saved him
from the blacklist despair, the most
awful misery. Heaven forgive me for
telling the lie, but I did it for the
best did it for the best!"
II see." Dare stopped and took
the letter from her icy, cramped
fingers, and soon made himself mas
ter of the contents, then he drew a
deep breath. my angel" he said
with infinite tenderness, you've done
this to screen your cousin? Oh, Enid,
Enid, my darling!"
She did not hear his voice or his
loving words; her ears were ringing
with the horrible ones that Gervais
had uttered. He scorned her, pushed
her aside with contempt and loathing.
Truly the sacrifice was a great one
how great she scarcely yet knew.
"He believed me-" she said, in a
dazed sort of way; she believed me,
and-they will still be happy. 1t
would have been so terrible if he
had thought it true"
Dare took her two small hands in
his.
Think of yourself a little, my
dear one," he said, tenderly. Re
member your future. What are you
going to do?"
What am I going to do?"Enid re-
peated, slowly; then more hurriedly:
II am going away at once-this very
afternoon. Please let me go, Mr..
Broughton. I must be quick; it is
late. You-you were very good 10
help me just now" =
Enid was crying bitterly; the tears
were stealing down her cheeks.
Leave me-" she whispered, broken
ly; Il will come directly"
He wrapped the warm plaid closely
round her, and looking back as he
turned obediently away, he saw that
she was shaking with the passion of
sobs that came from her broken
heart. His arms longed with an in
expressible longing to draw her to his
heart, and so hold her clasped against
all sorrow, but he restrained himself,
and despite his bitter disappointment,
made no further effort to press his
suit.
1t was .unmanly, he thought, to
urge it while she was so agitated
and weak.
Il will wait for you by the gate"
he said, gently.