Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-09-03
in the same manner, and the breach

gether one morning IN front OF the cas-
tie, Blake said quietly:
"You said something to me t'other
day about Mary Carey. I hope you don t
believe that scandal?"
She looked him quietly in the face,
but made no reply.
Because" he continued, "because
if you do believe it,
"Hush, there is Mr.. Langford!" she
exclaimed, interrupting him as Lang
ford came strolling across the lawn.
The two men lunched with her hat
day, and we fear she played one off
against the other.
They were curious contrast-Blake,
handsome, sullen and savage, like a
good looking cub only half tanned to
good behavior; Langford, with his calm,
clear cut face, his courteous smile and
his dark, passionate eyes. When Cath
crime looked at the former, her express
sion was merry, kind and almost mas
ternal. When she turned her eyes on
Langford, the expression grew grave
and dreamy.
Langford was the first to leave
When he had gone, Blake, who had
taken rather too much wine, snarled
savagely:
"I hate that fellow. He's as sly as a
fox and as cold blooded as stoat.
"He is my very good friend" said
Catherine, land I must ask you not to
abuse him."
"You mean your sweetheart" cried
Blake, forgetting himself in his fury Of
jealousy.
81 mean nothing of the kind, but
even if it were so it would be no con-
Germ of yours.
"Wouldn't it, by --l'' exclaimed
Ge young man, utterly losing his self
control. Remember what told you. I"
Pale with indignation, Catherine pre-
pared to leave the room, but before she
could do so Blake sprang up and closed
the door.
"Once more I ask you, will you mar
ry me?" he cried, facing her.
She looked him from head to foot
with gaze so cool, so contemptuous,
that the hot blood mounted to his face.
Then, without replying, she quietly
He came close to her and seized her
two hands in his.
"Kate!'
She tried to release herself, but he
held her firmly, looking into her face.
Don't wake up the devil in me.
Don't make me do what might be sor-
ry for. You've robbed me of my birth
right-don't go further and make me
mad. AS sure as you stand there mean
to have you. and if can't win you by
fair means III try foul"
"You are not SOBER" ole replied
haughtily, land you talk to me as if 1
were the girl Of some low inn"
Then releasing herself as the servant
entered the room she said quietly:
"Tell the groom to bring round Mr.
Blake's horse at once.
The servant disappeared, while Blake
stood like a man dazed, as indeed he
was. Without looking toward him
Catherine sat down at the piano and be-.
gan to play-lightly, carelessly, letting
her fingers wander idly across the keys.
When she looked around, Blake had
disappeared.
A week passed, and there was no
sign of him; second week, and srill
no sign. She began to feel sorry, for
though her heart was quite untouched
she couldn't help admitting to herself
that she was partly to blame.
Then came the mysterious assault in
the woods, which we have already de-
scribed, and GATHERINGS visit to Cladich
castle under escort of the police.
The moment she looked at her cousin
Catherine had no doubt whatever that
she had discovered her assailant. Up to
that moment she had scarcely thought
it possible that even Patrick Blake
should have been guilty of such q
"detise."
Recovering herself in moment and
forcing a smile, she said:
"Why haven't you been to see me: 1
have been expecting you every day
The young mans face was study.
Shame, confusion and reckless audacity
were all mingled there. He saw III a
moment that his secret was discovered,
but he did not seem to care. Answering
the smile with one Of ugly significance
and glancing at Langford, he replied:
II thought maybe you might have
pieasanter company" And then with a
forced laugh and shrug of the shoul-
ders he strolled away into the ballroom.
The moment he had gone GATHERINGS
self possession left her. She trembied
and seemed about to fall, when Lang
ford stepped forward with an exclanla-
tion and supported her.
"What is it?' he cried tenderly.
Nothing, nothing" she murmured.
"That ruffian has insulted you
"Indeed, no." she said gently. "F'or
whatever has occurred I am myself
most to blame, but I am miserable,
miserable. I wished to be friends with
all the world, and awaken only hatred
in all I meet"
Catherine, said Langford, "there
is but one way out Of all your perplex-
ity. have told it before-let me repeat
it now. love you. I have loved you