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

aDerriman, my dear old fellow.
why, how did you come? l."
Gervais lifted his face. Such a
face-gaunt, worn, aged; and Dare
saw that his bright brown hair was
streaked with lines of gray and white,
turned so by the anguish he had en-
dured.
Dare" he said, brokenly; his
voice sounded hollow and faint, and
he seemed to cling to his friends
hand that grasped his so firmly.
1t would be impossible to describe
Dare Broughton's pain at sight or
this mans suffering; a mist rose be-
fore his eyes, and a lump in his
throat.
us it so bad, old fellow" he NUT
tered, huskily.
1T is worse than DEATH" Gervals
answered, as he drew his hand away
and turned to the fire. Don't ask
me to say more, Broughton. To
speak of it is to plunge a knife into
my heart. There is such shame
such bitter shame!"
An angry exclamation broke from
Dare's lips against Dorothy. but Ger.
vais checked it.
"She is my wife still-we must not
forget that"
There was a pause between them
for a moment.
and this is Christmas Day." Ger.
vais broke the silence. THE merry,
happy, glad time I had pictured in
my mind! All, well! Thank Goo
for His mercy in binding u eyes
to the trials in store for us! Had
guessed this back in the summer ]
should have destroyed myself; but
now-I have a duty to perform
which, despite my broken heart and
life, I will do, with heavens help
He passed his hand yer his brow.
then went on quietly and sadly: y
am going to ask you to leave US to-
day, Dare; it sounds inhospitable, but
you will understand my motive, ]
know. Miss Leslie, too"-Gervais'
voice trembled slightly-"she must
60"
"Gervais," Dare broke out hurried.
ly, II must speak. You are Judging
her wrongly! She"
81 know all. I overheard hel
words the other day. Besides-be'
sides, Dare, I have had most horribly
conclusive proof of her innocence
and generosity and-another's guilt
Dare stretched out his hand agair
in mute sympathy; then he thought
of Enid.
Where will she go? Has she
other relations? She is so young tc
be alone"
"She will go to my mother" the
earl said, with a deep sigh. II have
made all arrangements and only need
her consent"
you have een your mother?'
Dare said, involuntarily.
Gervais nodded his head sadly.
"Yes, I have seer her"
And Dare knew that he had broken
part of the truth, if not all, to the
loving, noble woman who was to him
the embodiment of everything good
and pure.
Neither man Spoke again till Ger.
vais, waking from his miserable
thoughts, said:
II am going to ask Miss Leslie tc
speak to me. Will you escort hel
into town? My mother is staying al
Cadogan Place, and expects you bott
this afternoon"
II will do anything you wish
Dare hesitated a moment, and Their
said,' With deep affection: "And you
Gervais, what of you?" 49,.
Il shall either remain here or &C
abroad atoonce with my wife"
Gervais said nothing more, and he
rang the bell and sent his message
through Parsons, who was too vel
drilled to exhibit any surprise at his
masters unexpected presence. In
few minutes the door opened and
Enid appeared.
She was pale as death, and was
dressed in her outdoor clothes ready
to start.
Gervais cleared his throat; he
found it difficult to speak at first;
then he said:
Miss Leslie, I have to tender you
a most sincere apology for my harsh
words of the other day. IL have
since learned my mistake, and
should like to try and thank you"
His voice broke a little, and he
turned away. ~
How she longed to comfort him, tt
give him hope and happiness; but she
could say nothing, and all she did was
to put her hand on a chair for sup
port and turn ever paler than before
Dare came forward to help her, but
she shook her head, and then Gervais
having mastered his emotion, went
on in a low, subdued way, and told
her of his mothers earnest entreaty
that Enid would make ashome with
Ter.
Ito be c%oltinued.)