Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-09-29

ever Daisy was mentioned. Henceforward
I felt should, at least. be closely watched
in all my intercourse with her.
But where was shea Sharp, beyond the
power of words to describe it, was the pain
which gnawed at my heart as l thought of
her even at this moment engaged in conf
Dental talk with this unknown frienl Was
he old or young9 Who was hel What was
he? I struck my heel savagely upon the
pavement Of the hall as asked myself these
questions.
And even as did so she appeared. / had
on'y time to observe that her companion
was unusually tall. and that he seemed to
have passed the limits of middle age In
another instant my hand had taken hers,
and I was feasting my eyes upon her dear
face
But what was the change that saw there!
1t was as beautiful a. ever; but a shadow Of
some kind had passed over it since we parted
on the previous day 1 have s,oken before
of that veil of reserve which oncs or twice
when we were together on the promenade
had spread itself over her features. 1t was
the same thing that saw now, though it
was more pronounced and real. This shadow
of trouble, or timidiSy or doubt could not
tell wh:ch-was at least no creation of my
own imagination
Her smile was kind as it had ever been
but l observed that her face was flushed and
it was with manifest embarrassment that
she turned to her companion and said, "This
is Mr. Fenton"
Had tn bean speaking Of mc beforea
This was my first thought when l heard her
words The next moment was conscious
of q courteous and even friendly greeting
from her companion. l looked up; for al
though l myself am TAIL this man lowered
far above me- / looked into what l felt at
once was one Of the most powerful faces l
I'd ever seen-a face that still ret ined
traces of manly beauty, though its owner
was evidently verging upon threescore. The
wide, open forehead appeared to indicate
benevolence Of character, as we'll as intel
lectual superiority; the eyes were grave, but
frank Every feature Of the face was pre-
possessing except the mouth. thought the
straight, thin lips were out OF harmony with
the general aspect Of the man.
Miss Stancliffe has told lie Of her ac-
quaintance with you" he said with a genial
smile, which showed his beautiful white
teeth to advantage. "and, like the rest of her
friends, feel grateful to you for the service
YOU rendered her."
He put his hand familiarly on her arm.
any dear" he said, eve shall none Of US fail
to DO justice to Mr.. Fenton."
I thought there was trace Of fear in the
look which Daisy turned upon him as lie ut
tered these words.
@You came by the schooner see in the bay
this mornings" said chiefly for the sake Of
saying something and thus proonging the
interview.
ayes, sir, we did," he replied. "You have
seen the Golden Hawk! A fine boat and one
of which I think this young lady will feel
very proud as its mistress"
He looked down upon her with protect
ing smile. I saw that she pressed coser to him
as he spoke, as though responding to some un-
uttered sentiment of affection. And yet as
she did so her eyes sought mine could not
interpret their expression; but was clearly
conscious of the fact that trouble was in
store for us.
I could hardly believe, however, that the
trouble was likely to come from this man,
with his powerful and commanding counten-
ance, his polished manner, and his genial
air.
"By the way" he said, II think this little
girl has forgotten to perform the whole Of
QeT uuUy. Ouo udS lOlo W
l am Dr. Branksome." 1 bowel, and he
smiled anew alas Miss Stancliife not told
YOU all about my connection with herr" he
continued. u see she has not done so.
Well, suppose young lady who finds her.
self in Scarborough for the first time in
her life has something better to do than to
tell tales about the cd foeies whom she has
known at the other side of the work.. Eh,
my dear, is that not it!'
She might have been his daughter to
Judge by this easy familiarity with which he
pinched her ear as he spoke. Daisy still had
the troubled smile upon her face sh, had
worn when she last looked at me She did
not speak. 1t almost seemed as though she
could not have spoken if she would.
II see I shall have my own story to tell,
Mr.. Fenton." he continued. in his full, rich
voice. "You are surpri,ei perhaps, to see
me on such very friendly terms with Miss
Stancliffe But you would not be surprised
if you knew that she lived under my roof for
more than twelve years Of her life-from
four to sixteen-and that during all that
time she honestly believed me to be her
father. A strange story, sir. l can see that
is in your mind; but it is true story also.
So now you understand how it is that if
Daisy has an uncle in Mr.. Mauleyerer, she
has a father in me-"
My first feeling on hearing him make this
statement was one of incredulity. had
heard her so often speak with loving graft
tude of her uncle that felt certain that if
she had really regarded this new conner as
her father, she would have spoken Of him
also I remembered, too, the trouble that
was manifest on her face when she had tod
me Oh the previous day Of the approaching
arrival Of her friends. 1t was inconceivable,
l thought that she would have felt this
trouble il she had really entertained
daughters love for Branksome. But, how
ever this might be, there was no doubt now
that she was unreservedly un Ter tho sway
Of his influence. She responded to his
speech with look OF gratitude and affec
tion, and stood quite passive while his hand
still rested on her arm.
Til, situation was becoming embarrassing.
did not know in what words to reply to DR..
Branksome's statement about Daisy. con-
tented myself with feeble inquiry rs to
whether they were going 10 join the COM
pany on the promenade.
ave are going aboard the yacht for lun-
cheon," replied the DOCTOR "Miss Stancliffe
has never been aboard the boat yet and she
y,
Daisy, why should we not ask M. Fenton
to favor us with his companyf daresay he
has nothing better to do this morning. and if
he is interested in yachting he will certainly
be pleased with tho Golden Hawk"
There is no need to say with what joyous
eagerness I responded to the invitation.
What puzzled me, however, was the way in
which it was received by Daisy. She knit
her brows for a moment as though trying to
solve some knotty problem in her own mind.
And then her face grew clear again, and
without worl she went forward by the
SIDE OF Branksome.
We found that the gig of the yacht was
waiting for us at the landing stage Mr..
Mauleverer anl his two companions had
gone on board in one OF the ordinary fishing
boats, leaving the small gig, with its cush.
ioned seats and neatly dressed crew, for
Daisy's accommodation.
There was a pleasant novelty for both Of
US in the situation as we sat there on either
side Of Branksome, who steered the boat
The oars Of the four men who were rowing
rose and fell with the precision of clockwork,
and the light lite craft was quickly urged
over the placid waters Of the bay towards
the spot where the stately vessel lay in the
full blaz, of the sunshine. The cloud had
passed from Daisy's face now. She was
smiling as brightly as she had been won't to
do during those happy days when we sat
together beside the saloon; but l could net
avoid a dim consciousness Of tho fact that
most of her smiles were given to Branksome
rather than to me.