Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-06-12

"But the bride, monsieur
"I will fetch the bride. She is wait
ing without"
1 thought he intended to protest, so
i left him abruptly and returned for
the lady. She was already coming to-
ward the house, and as met her she
motioned me to 60 before, while she
followed silently up the pathway.
The notary admitted US without any
ceremony, and we entered a small,
dimly lighted room that appeared to
be study.
My companion at once seated her.
self in an arm chair, but without re-
moving the mufflings from her face. +
The notary snuffed the candle, ar
ranged his books, and, turning to me
with penetrating look said:
II must know your name, mon
sieur."
Orchard Harrington"
"Your residence?"
81 am an American"
He wrote the answer in his book.
Then, glancing toward the arm chair,
he continued
"The lady's name ?"
waited for her to reply, but as she
remained silent, I answered:
"Amelie de Boursons."
"Who ?" cried the notary in loud
voice, springing to his feet, while
look of fear and CONSERVATION spread
over his wrinkled face.
"Amelie de Boursons," / repeated,
slowly, infected by the mans agitation
in spite of myself.
The notary stared wildly at the
muffled form of the lady. Then he
drew out his handkerchief and wiped
the beads of perspiration from his fore
head.
"What does this mean monsieur" l
demanded, angrily.
The man needed me not the slight
est, but clutching the edge of the table
to steady himself, and extending his
long bony finger toward the girl, he
exclaimed
care you Amelie de Bourson's ?"
Slowly with admirable grace and
dignity, the lady drew back her man.
tie, and her marvellous beauty was
again revealed.
The notary, with distended eyes fix.
ed upon the vision, sank back in his
chair with low moan.
"This must be explained, monsieur"
I cried, striding to his side and grasp
ing his shoulder. tIs there any rea-
son why I should not marry Mile. de
Boursons ?"
"Mlle. de Boursons," returned the
notary, still regarding her with horror,
"has been dead these forty years !"
"Dead!" l echoed, staring first at
the notary and then at the girl, while
a sense of bewilderment overcame me.
Mile. deBoursons arose with charm
ing smile and came to my side.
"See monsieur" she exclaimed,
mockipgly, and giving me her hand,
"do you also think me dead ?"
The hand was as cold as ice, but its
touch sent strange thrill through my
body.
"Come, monsieur" I said to the
notary, who watched the scene in
amazement, "read the ceremony at
once. We are in haste"
Slowly and with trembling voice the
notary obeyed, the girl at my side
returning the answers in sweet-col-
lected voice that disarmed my fears
and calmed to some extent the notary
himself.
1 drew seal ring from my finger
and placed it upon her icy hand, and
in its place she slipped large ruby
from her own hand upon mine.
The ceremony concluded, paid the
notary, thanking him briefly for his
services, and followed by my bride
walked down the path to my carriage.
The notary stood in the doorway,
lighting us with the candle.
At the carriage I turned to hand my
wife to her seat, but she had disap-
peared.
ran back to the doorway.
"Where is my wife ?" asked.
"She followed you down the path"
said the man.
"But she is not there ~
Without word the notary accom-
panied me back to the carriage. No
trace of the girl was to be seen..
Right and left amongst the shrub
berry I searched; 1 called aloud her
name, entreating her to come to me,
but no sight of the beautiful face re-
warded my efforts.
I returned to the notary's study fill
ed with vague misgivings.
"Where can she be ?" I asked, dis
.mally. |