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

I These words had been written to Dor
othy! But let him first be quite sure;
perhaps he had made a mistake.
With hurried, eager fingers he
picked up the envelope and gazed at
the rude inscription, then his hand
dropped; there was no mistake:
"Ledy Deriman,' was scrawled las
legibly as the characters would per-
NIT. Lady Derriman! Dorothy, Lady
Derriman!-his wife-to receive such
a letter. Was his brain going? His
senses faded for a moment, then he
became acutely, agonizingly awake.
He arose and was slipping the
paper into the envelope when he saw
that more remained unread, and he
drew it out again.
"Haddress Mister Jim Cotes, the
Bullfnch, Newman's Road, Hounds
ditch, and send the mony sharp. I
amt noways wishful to waite long"
He crushed the hideous letter in
his hand, then plunged it in his
pocket, and with swift, uncertain
steps went back along the corridor 20
the stairs; his one thought was to get
outside in the air; he felt he should
suffocate if he remained an instant
longer in the house where he had re-
ceived his cruel blow.
All at once he became conscious
that he was not alone. Sounds Of
fleet footsteps on the crisp snow
reached him; his eyes refused to turn
and look behind him.
IF it should be Dorothy" his heart
whispered in anguish. Heaven help
me! 1 am not fit to meet her yet"
The steps drew nearer and nearer,
and then stopped; a trembling hand
was laid on his arm.
Lord Derriman," said a voice, that
was low and full of dread and pain.
He bit his lip, and almost shook the
hand away, but Enid chung to him.
"You-you will get so cold, and
forgive me, but you will attract atten-
ton. l have brought. your hat and
coat, Lord Derriman."
II do not want them" he answered,
in a dry, hard way. II am not afraid
Of the cold"
You are in trouble" Enid said, as
firmly as she could speak. 81 want to
help YOU"
He shivered suddenly.
mo one can help me-" he NUT
tered.
Eyes; yes, they can; I can-try
me-" pleaded the girl. "You have
been so good to me, Lord Derriman,
IL cannot bear to see you suffer-
ing"
Gervais turned and looked at her.
Her pure, pale face was more frag-
lie than ever, but a new expression
a strong, powerful, sympathetic ex-
pression-shone in her glorious eyes.
She seemed to him then more a min
istering spirit than a woman. He
plunged his hand into his pockets
and drew out tho crumbled letter;
her eyes seemed to magnetic him.
Then, if you car help me-" he
said huskily, read that and tell me
what l must do. You think that 1
am mad; see if that is not enough
to kill me, body and soul altogether"
Enid took the paper.
She had grown a shade whittier, and
her lips felt as cold as ice to herself.
Her fingers almost refused to hold
the letter, but she forced herself to
do it, and read the ~insolent words
with a heart as heavy and cold as
though no life remained in it.
Gervais watched her in a dull,
wretched fashion. Poor child" he
thought for a moment as Enid was
silent, simply because she had not
strength to use her voice.
But as another moment was born
her courage and power returned to
her.
"This-this letter is not meant for
Dorothy" she said in faint but clear
tones.
Gervais bent toward her eagerly;
his every pulse thrilled, every nerve
%quivered.
"Not meant for Dorothy?" he re-
peated in so low and husky a voice
that she could barely hear it.
"No"-Enid's left hand fell by her
side; she clinched her fist as though
the last bitter blow had yet to fall
no." she said, deliberately, "it-is-
for me-"
Gervais half staggered back.
For you?" he said, choked with
the food of emotion that rushed into
his throat-"for you?"
Yes, for me. This is a secret l.
I can not reveal to you, Lord Derri-
man. IL hoped it would have
been"
Lying was not easy for Enid; she
broke off and Gervais thought she did
so from shame and fear.
He took a deep breath and passed
n hand over his brow; the agony
he endured was fading slowly, but he
was in an unsettled, troubled state,
and he could not grasp the full mean
ing of her words just at first.
Enid stood before him, looking
down at the letter and ~quiVering in
every limb. If only he would speak,
and let her know her sacrifice had not
been in vain. The silence grew too
! oppressive; she felt she must break it.
"You-you do not despise me-"
she asked, feebly.
Il do not understand it all yet
Gervais replied, still with his hand
pressed to his eyes; the letter is adj
| dressed to Dorothy. and Won saw"