Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-04-18

- osS II AA ~ -AohOAO 49,
Golfers niece. The nighttrain gets in at this
hour, you know"
His voice was low and soothing.
"Ah! yes" the invalid murmured; II re-
member now, the good old soul said she ex-
pected Rose. The poor girl has been cooped
up in the city so long that little country air
will do her no harm. Yes, I am glad she is
come, and Mrs. Collier has Gilbert here, too,
which is very pleasant for them all. Ring
the hell, Alexis"
When the servant appeared, Colonel Mere
dith declared he was 80 much better that no
other attendant WAS necessary and Walde-
mar went to his own room, threw himself on
the bed, and fell into a heavy slumber Of ex.
haustion and despair.
Poor misguided little Rose Collier was not
sleeping. She lay on her aunts bed and
tossed to and fro, till the sun-beams began to
stream in through the closed blinds. Then
she sat up, and pushed the tangled hair away
from her burning brow. The house.keeper
had long since gone away to her duties: she
knew all that was to be told of the Mardigras
story-Gilbert had taken care that no blame
should be attached to Rose-and now she had
only one idea and intention to see that her
niece was "righted." In her dogged English
mind no suggestion Of compromise was ever
entertained. Rose was to be called Mrs.
Waldemar; and Colonel Meredith was to
know all as soon as he was able to beari it. So
she settled, and though Rose was a spoilt,
petted, motherless creature, she never dreamed
of saying may" to anybody.
Now as she sat up and looked around at the
familiar apartment, she wondered if all she
had passed through since last she saw it, was
not some hideous dream. But, alas it was
terrible reality. Hastily arranging her dress,
she went down into the garden anywhere to
get fresh, full breath, for the atmosphere
seemed to stiAe her.
As she walked slowly along through the
winding paths, everything was teeming with
fresh, vernallife Roses and lilies blowing
the green sward spangled with dew.gems-
aeecy clouds piled up in the azure sky like
snowdrifts- was 80 bright, 80 sweet, so ten.
derly, exquisitely lovely that this child of
Nature-whose whole sensuous being yearned
toward the Beautiful her heart expand
and glow with sudden delight. She sat down
on the steps of summer.house and folded
her hands as if praying dumbly. Who
knows but that pryaer was for rest' And
how soon did God grant it to the tossed bark
Presently the fragrance of cigar floating
above the breath of a hundred flowers was
waited towards her then she heard foot
step, and Waldemar appeared, coming down
the walk. He recognized her-sitting there
so pale and sad, like the poor Gretchen be-
side her silent spinning. .wheel-and bis heart
melted with pity.
"Rose," he said, standing beside her and
holding out his hand, ri forgive you"
How the quick blood flooded her thin white
face! Joy flashed into each star-like eye.
She caught his hands with both hers, and
pressing them to her lips, bathed them with
happy tears.
"Oh do you indeed?" she sobbed-"have
you said those blessed words? Say them
again-let me hear you say you forgive me-
for can never forgive myself"
"It is too late for either of US to repent
now" he said, sitting down beside her; eve
will not ask whose fault was greater. have
but one favor 10 ask you, Rose; to say nothing
till give you permission"
She was silent.
"Well," he added quickly, "at least you will
not betray me to my uncle to-day. want to
have long talk with you first"
She bent her head in acquiescence; and
then began to play with her fingers as if in
embarrassment.
"How and where can I talk to your" she
asked, flushing painfully "my aunt and Gil
bert are-have said-they do not wish me to
talk with you-and don't know"
'The devil p Waldemar exclaimed angrily;
"they know have right, and why should
they objecti By Heaven I will not be cir
cumvented by such canail!e as Gilbert Collier
and his mother"
Rose grasped his hand, frightened at the
violence of his manner.
81 will do as you please" she murmured
"Then meet me at the little gate near the
lodge this evening at five o'clock. Feign sick
ness-anything-so as to keep your room till
that hour"
He rose quickly as if afraid to trust him
selfto say more, and pressing her hand, walked
away.
At the appointed hour Waldemar stood by
the wicketgate, and Rose soon Joined him.
They walked on side by side till the edge of
the Bayou was reached. 1t rolled dark and
sullen under the shadow of thick-growing
magnolias and cypress. No gleam Of SUM-
shine penetrated the dense foliage even at
noon; and now all was yelled in ghostly
twilight.
Upon its very brink, at the foot Of gnarled
old cypress they stopped, and Waldemar be.
gan at once:
"You have never told me yet, Rose, who
assisted you in that effective and pretty little
masquerade of yours on Mardigras; and now
I am determined to know"
Until this time Rose had not looked in bis
face as she glanced up now she saw it white,
set, desperate with the excited despera-
ton of that fatal night, but with the terrible,
deliberate energy Of madman.