Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-11-29
ly be here. There was comforting as
surance in the very note she held in her


Mr.. Jerrold writes that they have just
heard from him at Sibley. He is still
at the seashore and will not return for
month. Mr.. Jerrold says he implored
Captain Chester to let him have three
days leave to come down here and have
sail and a picnic with US and was told
that it would be out Of the question. "
did he tell you any other news"
asked Mrs. Maynard, looking up from
her letter again, anything about the
german?"
"He says he thinks it shame we are
to be away and-well, read it yourself. "
And she placed it in her mothers
hands. the dark eyes seriously, anxious
ly studying her face as she read. Pres
emily Mrs Maynard laid it down and
looked into her own; then, pointing to
a certain passage with her finger, hand
ed it to her daughter.
"Men were deceivers ever" she said,
laughing, yet oracularly significant.
And Alice Renwick could not quite
control the start with which she read:
"Mr. Jerrold is to lead with his old
love, Nina Beaubien. They make a cap
ital pair, and she Of course will be radi-
ant-with Alice out of the way"
"That is something Mr.. Jerrold failed
to mention, is it not?''
Miss Renwick's cheeks were flushed,
and the dark eyes were filled with sud-
den pain as she answered:
"I did not know she was there She
was to have gone to the lakes the same
day we left.
"She did 60, Alice" said her mother,
"but it was only for a brief visit, 1t
seems. -
The colonel was not at their cottage
when the omnibus reached the lake.
Over at the hotel were the usual mum.
ber of loungers gathered to see the new
arrivals, and Alice presently caught
sight of the colonel coming through the
park. If anything, he looked more list
less and dispirited than he had before
they left. She ran down the steps to
meet him, smiling brightly up into his
worn and haggard face.
"Are you feeling little brighter,
papa? Here are letters for you" He
took them wearily, barely glancing at
the superscriptions.
II had hoped for something more, J"
he said and passed on into the little
frame house which was his sisters sum
mer home. ''Is your mother here?" he
asked, looking back as he entered the
door.
"In the north room, with Aunt
Grace, papa" she answered, and then
once more and with graver face she be-
gan to read Mr.. Jerrold's letter. 1t was
a careful study she was making of it
this time, and not altogether pleasant
one. Aunt Grace came out and made
some laughing remark at seeing her still
so occupied. She looked up, pluchly
smiling despite a sense Of wounded
pride, and answered:
II am only convincing myself that it
was purely on general principles that
Mr.. Jerrold seemed so anxious should
be there. He never wanted me to lead
with him at ALL" All the same it
stung, and Aunt Grace saw and knew
it and longed to take her to her heart
and comfort her, but it was better so.
She was finding him out unaided
She was still studying over portions
of that ingenious letter when the rus
tie of her aunts gown indicated that
she was rising. She saw her move TO-
ward the steps, heard quick, firm
tread upon the narrow planking and
glanced up in surprise. There, uncov-
ering his close cropped head, stood the
tall stranger, looking placidly up as he
addressed Aunt Grace:
pardon me, can see Colonel May
nard?'
'He is at home. Pray come up and
take chair. I will let him know. II
felt sure you must be some friend Of his
when I saw you in the stage" said the
good lady, with manifest and apologetic
uneasiness
"Yes," responded the stranger as he
quickly assembled the steps and bowed
before her, smiling quietly the while.
"Let me introduce myself. am Cap
tain Armitage Of the colonel's regi-
ment"
"Therel I knew itp' was Aunt
Graces response as, with both hands up
lifted in tragic despair, she gave one
horror stricken glance at Alice and
rushed into the house.
There was moments silence. Then,
with burning cheeks, but with grave
eyes that looked frankly into his, Alice
Renwick arose, came straight up to him
and held out her hand.
Captain Arrnitage, 1 beg your par
don.
He took the extended hand and gazed
earnestly into her face, while kind
almost merry-smile lighted up his
own.
''Have the boys given me such an
uncanny reputation as all that?" he
asked, and then, as though tickled with
the comicality of the situation, he be-
gan to laugh. "What ogres some Of US
old soldiers do become in the course of
years! Do you know, young lady, l
might never have suspected what brute
1 was if it had not been for you? What
blessed thing it was the colonel did
not tell you was coming! You would
IL -l.&