The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-09-08
CHAPTER XVIII.
A. nonthtc nnnr

Enid had managed to get to her
room without attracting niue. atten-
ton. Dare had waited for ner at the
gate and had silently drawn her hand
through his arm and led her back to
the house.
Once in her room, she crouched by
the fire to thaw her chilled limbs;
her teeth were chattering and her lips
trembling.
She felt thoroughly i'll, yet she was
determined to call all her strength to-
gether and leave Bromley within the
hour. She would only take such few
things as she had brought with her
when Dorothy had summoned her to
Weir Cottage, and her pictures and
brushes. She would leave all the
rest behind her. Dare's proposal OF
love came to her mind as she bent to-
ward the fire, and a pang of pity for
him thrilled her breast, but she never
wavered in her intention.
Il do not love him." she said. Il
will not marry him. I could not"
AS she sat like this, trying to check
the %shivering in her limbs and ease
the burning pain in her head, a knock
came to the door.
She was in her studio, the room
where she had fought out so many
mind battles.
She turned her face from being
seen and answered family: Come
in"
The door opened and then was
shut.
A vague, extraordinary sensation
thrilled through the girls being.
Miss. Leslie" said Gervais, in a
low voice, Il have come to speak to
you about the-the words l uttered
Just now"
He forced himself to speak coldly;
he must not let her see that he had
discovered her secret.
YES" she answered, duly.
at will be impossible for you tc
leave Bromley tonight, and so I am
here to ask you to postpone your de.
parture till tomorrow or the next
day. If you go away hurriedly there
will be a scandal, and we must avoid
that at all risk.
IL prefer to go at once" Enid
said, with all the frmness she could
command.
And l wish you to stay. Surely.
after all you have done, you might
consider this small wish of mine!'
Geryais had his arms crossed over
his breast; the sight of that fragile
girl, with her wan, wistful face and
rufled, red-brown hair, sent a pane
to the heart that lay quivering and
aching in his breast. She was drawn
closer to him by her very frailness,
yet he was compelled to crush al
sympathy, all tenderness. You will
do this, please?" he said in cold, hard
tones.
Enid rose to her feet and half-stag.
gered.
His arms WIT hurriedly to hell
her, then dropped by his side again.
II feel so i'll that l must do as
you ask" Enid whispered, as she fell
rather than sunk into a big arm
chair.
For two days I wish you to remain
at Bromley; you understand" Ger.
vais walked toward the door. GIVE
me your promise to stay" he said
hurriedly. Admiration, pity, sym
patty crowded in with his blank des,
pair and hopeless misery. Even a.
this black moment he could not for.
get her brave sacrifice, nor withhold
his tribute to her generous love; but
beyond that was nothing but torture
horrible, maddening torture-tha'
:lamored at his heart and would not
be stilled.
Enid closed her eyes and rested
>ack in the chair. Il promise" she
whispered; then, as ne went, she gave
one little moan and tainted deat
way.
81 &
Ce-ra.5 paced ne Goor Of mis- room
at a London hotel and tried to think
.eason and hope, but all to no effect
His last glimpse of Dorothy had beer
the greatest witness against her; hel
white face. her sudden alarm and agi.
tuition, all spoke OF the existence oil
some secret, whether a guilty one OF
90 the morning would nrove, for he