The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-04-14
like the fierce bark of the whipped

like the fierce bark of the whipped
hound.
All Lady Cars lenses had come
back to her in that shock of this.Aor-
ror. You married her-in the name
of Francis Misunderstanding that,
and that you were under age would
make it void. If you've anything to
say that 1 should not believe this,
say it quick, Tom-lest I should die
first and think my boy"
She leant back her pale head
against the rocks, and n Of those
spasms passed over her which had
already scared the household at the
Towers, but the superior poignancy
of the mental anguish kept Lady Cal
from complete Inconsistencies. She
heard their voices vaguely contend
ing through the half-trance; then
slowly the light came back to her
eyes. The young woman was kneel-
ing beside her with a v~inaigrette in
her hot hand. "Oh, smell at this, do!
it's the best thing in the world for a
faint. Oh, poor lady! I wish l had
never said a word rather than make
her so bad!"
Lady Car opened her eyes to see
the stranger kneeling with an INK
ious face by her side, while Tom
stood, lowering, looking on. 1t
crossed her mind that perhaps the
boy would have been glad had she
died, and this disclosure been buried
with her. The stab of this thought
was so keen that she came completely.
to herself, restored by that sharp
remedy of superior pain.
Il do not think she is bad" she
said family. II think she has an
honest face. Tom, is that true?"
Its all a piece of nonsense, moth
er, as I told you. 1t was just to please
her. She was not too particular-to
have the show of a wedding, that was
all. She knew very we'll"
"I'll tear your eyes out" she cried,
eff you speak like that to me! Oh,
lady! we're married as safe as any
clergyman could marry two people"
"You fool" cried Tom, there's no
such person as Frank Lindons. And
I wasn't of age"
The young woman looked at him
for a moment COMPOUNDED. The color
left her excited face, she stood staring
as if unable to comprehend, then, as
her senses came back to her, burst
into a loud fit of sobbing and crying,
throwing herself down on the grass.
"Oh, oh, OH" she cried, sobbing and
rocking herself. "Oh, whatever shall
I do? Oh, what will become of moth
err" Then rising suddenly to her
knees she caught Lady Cars dress.
"Oh, lady, lady! you've got a kind
face; do something for me; make him
do me Justice; make him; make him
oh, my God, listen to him!" cried
the girl, for Tom, in the horrible
triumph he thought he had gained,
was pealing forth a harsh laugh-a
sort of tempest tone, of exultation
over the two helpless women at his
feet.
Beaufort, with Janet at a little dis
lance behind him, came suddenly
upon this strange scene. He thought
at first that his wife was i'll, and hur-
ried forward anxiously, asking, What
is the NATTER" He saw Carry pale
as death, her mouth drawn, her eyes
dilated, leaning back against. the
rocks holding the hand of a girl un.
known who knelt beside her, while
Tom, who had laughed, stood over
the pair with still that mirthless
grimace distending his lips.
Edward" Lady Car said, II have
something to ask you; something at
once before you ask me a question.
A marriage under a false name-is
that nc marriage? Tell me,-tell me
quick, quick"
What a strange question: he
said. But 1 know nothing about
marriages in Scotland. You know
people say"
1T was not in Scotland. Quick,
quick!"
"A marriage-when a false name
is given?-meaning to d~eceive?"
She said Yes" with her lips with.
out any sound, a faint fame as Of
shame passing over the whiteness of
her face. Tom thrust his hands into
his pockets and screwed his mouth as,
if he would have whistled, but nd
sound came. The girl faced round,
always upon her knees, a strange in
truder into that strange group,
II don't understand why you
should ask ME such a question. The
marriage is good enough. The law
doesn't permit"
Not if the mar is under age?"
"He can be imprisoned for perjury
If he has sworn he is of age-as some
fools do; but what in the world can
you want with such information as
that?"
Edward" said Lady Car, with
some difficulty, her throat and lips
being so dry, this is Toms wife"
TO be Continued.
B1azpd Hop Way.