Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-01-08

seen Janray To-Day.
"It is all honor at any rate, Lady
Walcote. was the reply, calmly spoken.
"When we parted last time" said
the old lady, "we were not fortunate in
choosing topics which allowed Of our
agreeing very we'll. trust we shall be
better friends now"
~ hope so earnestly" replied the
girl, ''and with that object we had bet
ter not touch on the same subjects, had
we? I am very jealous of my fathers
good name. He was to me both father
and mother.
The old lady looked piercingly at Lola
as she spoke, trying to detect any signs
of artifice.
81 knew your father long ago." she
replied, land cannot but know what
his family thought Of him. I do not
want to say things to pain you, but this
is not moment for keeping silence for
the sake of avoiding delicate subjects.
My son desires you to be his wife, and,
as his mother, I wish to know many
things"
She paused as if to await an expires
sion Of Lola's willingness to tell her
what she wished to know, but the girl
made no sign.
"Do you object to my asking you
some questions?"
II think you should ask them OF Mrs.
Villyers," answered Lola cleverly. II
have talked very freely with her. If you
think she is capable of introducing from
her house any one about whom you have
these qualms, is this not an interview
at which she should be PRESENT."
"No, am not doubling her belief. !"
"Then you doubt my statements to
her? Is that it? think, Lady Walcote,
we shall be wiser to keep off topics Of
the kind. Stay one moment. Let us put
the matter plainly. Your son has asked
me to marry him, and have refused. I
have told him that will not be his
wife, that will not allow him even to
put such a question to me, and that l
hold it for an insult SO long as he re-
mains bound, directly or implicitly, to
his cousin and my friend Beryl Leyces-
ter" >,
"He told me that, but that is not all. I"
"AIlI" echoed Lola, as if moved by
the word into some warmth You
mean that is not all, so far as he is con.
cerned. And what Of me? Have you
thought of me once in all this-what
my feelings will be? Or do you think,
as be seems to think, that I am merely
something to remain unconsidered, un-
esteemed, uncared for; something for
you to come and examine and test and
approve or disapprove; some cold ard
feelingless thing, to be placed under the
microscope of your family pride? You
may forget, though l do not, that my
fathers family is as old and as honor
able as your own, and that we do not
recognize your right to precedence in
any one respect save only title and a
fortune"
Despite her prejudice Lady Walcote
could not help admiring the girl for her
pride and courage.
81 know your family tree better than
you probably, and have never ques-
toned the past history Of it, she said.
"You mean you question only myself
as the present member of it, and my ia
ther because he was driven abroad. But
was there never dark page in the his
tory of your own family? Has every one
of your sons ancestors been as good and
true man as himself? do not want to
pain you with unpleasant stories Of the
past. Enough that I ask whether your
son is worse on account of the. character
fatucted than eI.l with Lola, and
Beryl was so glad at his quite boyish de-
light that she prayed earnestly her own
unpleasant anticipations and forebod-
ings might never be realized.
The wedding was brilliant. 1t took
place on glorious day in the late au-
tumn, and the whole district of Moss.
combe and round Walcote kept holiday,
Lola having urged that everything
should be done to give to the event the
utmost possible Importance for the
largest number of people. Sir Jaffray
had given this wish of hers the most
liberal Interpretation, and for many
years the county had not seen mar.
riage marked by more ceremony and
pomp and accompanied by such wide
spread merrymaking and lavishly gen.
erous hospitality.
Both Lady Walcote and Beryl were
glad when it was all over, and the girl
was pleased to think that she could now
slip back into her quieter life, with the
knowledge that she had played her part
properly and made quite plain her atti-
tude toward the marriage.
She did not contemplate that there
could be any real intimacy between her
and Lola, but she felt that as they were
to live as near neighbors all through
their lives there must always be some
degree of friendly relationship main
tanned
1t was great relief to her, however,
that Sir Jaffray and Lola planned a
very long honeymoon. Lola would not
20 to the continent, but preferred Amer
lea and would not be satisfied until Sir
Jaffray had agreed to take her over the
ground of one of his rough hunting and
shooting expeditions. She was no con-
yentional bride, she declared, and dldn' t