The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-08-25

she is well cared for. What do you
say, Dorothy"
But Dorothy had planted her chin
in her white palm, and was lost 10
all. She never needed Sir Gregory's
remarks, or even heard them; her
eyes were fixed in that dull, bitter
way before her; and she never moved
as her husband sent this request down
the table.
ut is neuralgia! She is ILL" hui
INJURED Enid in an agony of fear, see
ing the expression on his face. She
will be better directly"
Gervais bit his lip. 1t panied him
to see his wife, of whom he was so
proud, sitting like a log Of wood or a
stone, at the head Of his table, ig1or-
ing his guests, and behaving so
strangely.
Dare, guessing what Enid was suf-
fering, though he little knew now
greatly, plunged CALAMITY into the
breach, and opened a political argu-
ment that caught the doctor and Sir
Gregory at once. Gervais exerted
himself to join in, too, but his eyes
wandered to that c%uriously sullen
face, out of which it seemed as If
every line of beauty was gone.
His heart beat in a nervous, horTl-
BILE fashion, and he could not bring
himself to touch any food. He tried
to make excuses for her, but they
died away; it was her duty to appear
interested, or at least to say what
allied her, not to make such an exhi-
bition of herself as this.
The servants c~ountenances as they
fitted to and fro made him vince. AS
they retired, and dessert was placed
on the table, he determined to do
something.
Dorothy" he said, with a slight
tremble in his voice, "Sir Gregory
will take some of that old port-it is
before you"
She made no answer, and Enid
shivered and grew sick.
81 know she is ILL.," she whispered.
agitatedly, and rising, she said out
loud: "Sir Gregory, DR.. Waters and
Mr.. Broughton will excuse you, ]
know, Dorothy, dear; do let me help
you upstairs"
She moved round like a fairy, in
her pretty; graceful white gown, and
put her hand affectionately on Dor
othy's arm.
It was shaken off almost savagely.
For heavens sake, leave me
alone!" exclaimed Dorothy, while an
expression of anger and hatred came
over her hard, white face.
Then pushing her chair back, she
half moved and half staggered from
the Dom
Gervais had jumped to his feet,
and with a muttered apology strobe
after her; and Enid, with large tears
rolling down her cheeks, murmured
family:
"She-she has been i'll all day. She
is in great pain; her neuralgia"
my brave, sweet love!" thought
Dare, hotly, to himself.
DR.. Waters nodded his head as II
to himself.
Neuralgia" he said in a dry sort
Of way; land narcotics-that's the
matter"
Dorothy did order some lauda.
mum yesterday, I know" cried Enid.
eagerly; land l."
Gervais came back and interrupted
her. Waters" he said, quietly, his
face pale and stern, II shall be glad
if you will give my wife your aCyice.
Then, as he sat down again: at
seems as if she has been dosing her
self with opium, and all sorts OF
things, to destroy the neuralgia in
her face and head"
DR.. Waters shook his head.
"a bad habit, Derriman; you must
stop it at once I never tolerate OPT.
ates."
Enid had slipped away, and by and
by Dare came into the drawing room
and found her just seated at the
piano.
He understood the action; she had
been crying, probably unrestrainedly,
and wished to hide the traces of her
tears. How he longed to take her in
his arms and to hold her close to his
heart, but something stopped him,
he scarcely knew what, and all he
did was to ask her to play some par.
ticular air of which he was very fond
1t was long before sleep came to
Ends hot, weary eyes that night.
"Oh, my love, my dear, dear love!"
she moaned; at is coming and I can
not stop it. I shall see you suffer
such pain as you have never dreamed
of. Is it wrong to call you my love?
It is my secret, my n treasure!
Who could help loving you, so noble,
so good, so manly? Heaven help you
to be brave and bear all that lies in
the future"
TO be Continued.