Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-05-16
gu @riginal grize Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THEFATEOF MILDRED WEIR.
BY MRS. CLARA DARGAN MCLEAN.
CHAPTER XVII.

BY MRS. CLARA DARGAN MCLEAN.
CHAPTER XVII.
"Yet, good Hypolito, it is in vain
throw into oblivion's sea the sword
That pierces me-: for, like Excalibar,
With gemmed and flashing hilt it will not sink.
SPANISH STUDENT.
When Mildred was alone in the privacy O
her own room, she sat down and thought ovel
the events of the day-the unexpected meet
ing with Achille Pignolet; his open devotion
to Kate, and the astounding revelation he hac
made. Could it be possible that he really
loved her? But that was not the question
upon which her mind dwelt. He had con
fessed to having committed great wrong
against her. That wrong she instantly con
nected with the saddest episode of her life
How was he involved in this? And some
thing answered Through his sister-the
soulless Aphrodite of Mardigras"
Mildred knew all that Colonel Meredith
could tell Of the tragedy on Bayou La
Fourche; but the two prime actors were for
ever silent as to the strange and fateful con-
catenation of circumstances which brought
about an end so terrible. The words traced
by the unhappy Waldemar a few moments
before lifting up his hand against the life God
had given him, were delivered by the faithful
guardian into the hands for which they were
intended. Fearful as was the blow, it could
not be averted: sooner or later she must have
known the awful truth. That truth had
made her free; the man she had adored and
the husband of Rose Collier were not the
same. She had bowed before an ideal the
real was an adulterer aud murderer. Hor-
rible words! The innocent girl shuddered as
they forced themselves upon her pure mind,
but no false delicacy made her shrink from
the reality. They were the only words that
could be used as applied to him now-because
she could know no extenuating circumstance.
And now the strange confusion had carried
her back into the Past which she had hoped
and prayed and believed was past forever.
How long was the ghost of her terrible mis-
take to haunt life now grown tranquil and
happy in the sunshine of love and faith2 AL
exis Waldemar lay in his grave-the poor lit
tie girl by his side whom he had wronged in
life and death. His fortune was bestowed
upon charitable institutions-for no soul at
Bayou La Fourche would have touched a
penny of that ill-fated and ill-spent estate
the dowry of the unhappy Elise Waldemar-
much less the ill-gotten gains Of the gambler
and duellist who had been father only in
name.
And now that all was gone by-even Gil
bert Collier and his mother having returned to
their native England, so that no link remain
ed ofthe evil chain of association-why should
anything recall it to trouble the calm of her
life? Mildred laid her head upon restless
pillow, and when morning dawned she had
not slept
AS she closed the door of her room Jack
came down the corridor just returned from
his morning ride He noticed her pallor, but
only tenderer accent in his voice betrayed
the anxiety of mind which he suffered when
ever the blush-rose faded from her cheek.
They entered the salon together where the
usual breakfast of coffee, rolls, and eggs was
in process. Mrs. Weir paused in her occupa'
tion of filling the cups, and exclaimed in a
tone of concern
"What is the matter, my child? Are you
not well?"
Each one round the table repeated or looked
the anxious question. Mildred smiled and as
sured them she was quite we'll, but had been
kept awake by some unusual noise on the
Strasse.
''There was a fire in the royal woodward,
Colonel Meredith remarked, "and no doubt
you were disturbed by the engines"
Still this did not satisfy the fond mother
who brought Mildred to the warmest place
nearest the stove, and Jack had the honora-
bic duty assigned him of arranging her chair
and footstool.
Chow you all do spoil me" Mildred said,
trying to laugh; T will begin to imagine
myself an invalid in real earnest before long"
"Oh! do DON'T" cried Henriette, pushing
aside her egg-cup, and coming over hastily to
her cousins side. "Now, Milly, remember all
my happiness depends upon you
"Why, what do you mean ?" Mildred asked
laughing in spite of herself at Henriette's en-
ergetic manner.
"Well, you know we could start for Italy
at once ifyou proposed it."
"What is that, Eta I" Jack inquired, COM
ing round and taking his place by Mildred's
side, "Mind, I won't have you teazing my
little sweetheart"
"Pshaw p was the unceremonious response
Henriette disdained nonsense and continued
Mildred don't care about you. She used to
love Waldemar."
Fortunately nobody heard this remark but
the two most interested. Mildred flushed
violently; then the quick blood receded,
leaving her deadly pale
For once Jack was off his guard. He
turned upon his sister eyes flashing with just
anger.
"Never call that name again" he said in a
tone of unmistakable reproof
Henriette was frightened. She looked at
both in her helpless way, and went silently
out of the room.
"Poor child" Jack said, tenderly cha6ug
Mildred's cold hands "Don't mind it, my
darling. for Eta knows nothing and means
nothing"
"But you know" she whispered, looking up
with half.frightened eyes into the strong, low
ing face bent over her.