Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-05-29
The Stprp Teller.
THE FORGER'S FATE.

The tall white pine-trees in front of the
old fashioned red brick house were notion
less in the balmy air; the sunshine lay in
bright CLEANS across the piazza floor, and
far off on the meadows the voice OF the
reapers floated down like sounds in dream
to the ear of Alice Cary as she sat in the
doorway, her work lying idle in her lap and
her ewes fixed on the clear blue sky. Love-
ly eyes they were, too; soft, large, and as
blue as the sky above her; fringed with long
golden lashes that almost swept her cheek.
"Now, don't look off into vacancy so pro-
vokingly, Alice" said tall, handsome
man who was leaning against one OF the
columns of the piazza; "do be a little better
natured to fellow who has driven all the
way out of town this broiling day, just to
catch look from your bright eyes"
Alice turned her head and smiled, but it
was plain she was thinking of something else:
pursueG nHG her ap son scompanion. @ n.y. Il bought them
with special eye to your preferences: See
them toss their heads. 1 tell you there's
blood there"
''They are very pretty" replied Alice.
"Very pretty? Is that all you have to
sayo Alice, what ails you to-day? I don't
believe you care half as much as you say.
Let me see one of your old smiles; now do,
or shall fancy that you haven't forgotten
your old BEAU. Frank Ennis. 1 met him
just below the turn of the road as 1 drove
the way, Alice, I've done pretty smart
stroke Of business to-day that / think will
put Frank Ennis effectually down for the
present"
"What do mean, Charlie?" said Alice,
suddenly rousing herself from her tempo
rary abstraction.
'sI mean that we took the mortgage on
the old Bell place into our own hands a
week ago and l foreclosed yesterday at 10
o'clock. Just an hour after it became due"
''Foreclosed it?"
eyes; and defy Mr. Ennis to help him.
self. Of course he had no idea of it, as I
kept it a secret. / have always wanted q
chance to break Frank Ennis pride and
fortune has favored me. l should not Won
der if he were en- route this moment to give
directions to that old lawyer of his, quite
unconscious the Bell place must 60, for it
will be impossible for him to raise the
money at so short notice, and, in addition,
it won't be @ bad arrangement for me Pc
cuniarily speaking" ~a:.
But Alice had risen from her seat with
Redeemed cheeks and eyes that were liter
ally wells of angry fire.
"Charlie Gerard, you are not In earnest ~
"Never more so in my life, my dear"
"You would not stoop to such dishonor-
orable, underhand proceeding, surely?'
''Not at all dishonorable, Alice, only a
trick of the trade. To be sure it is not
usually done, but would stretch point or
two to make Frank Ennis feel my power"
''Despicable, base," said Alice, wringing
her hands passionately. "Charlie, I never
would have believed this of YOU"
sScold away, darling" said Charlie, Ca
ressingly touching the braids of golden
hair as you might pet child. "You've
no idea how pretty you look with your
cheeks blazing and those great eyes dilated.
/ like to see you get excited"
eff it is really so, Charlie," said the girl
eagerly, ''go Immediately and undo the
evil work. Do not let Frank Ennis suffer
for mere legal technicality remember
the place is his home-his all. Hasten back
to the city in Heavens name!'
"Never," said Charlie decidedly, and
with an almost demoniac light in his
eyes. 81 tell you, Alice, l hate that man,
and will not bate my hold on him."
"Then, Charlie" said Alice calmly, ''our
engagement is at an end. 1 will nevermar-
ry man who has taught me to odespise him."
"Now, my darling, don't talk So" said
Charlie Gerard coaxingly "you know very
we'll that you love me-that you are my af-
fianced wife. Tell me the truth now, my
own, that you only want to tease me-"
He would have passed his arm around her
waist, but she drew back with dignity.
~ might have loved you once, Charlie, or
fancied that l did, but your own words
have dispeled the illusion. Hereafter you
are no more to me than the merest stran-
ger"
care YOU serious, Alice Cary"
HT am"