Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-01-12
Copyright, 1887, by the Author.


Copyright, 1897, by the Author.
CHAPTER III-CoNTINUED.
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 I have never ques'
toned the past history of it, ;" she said.
"You mean you question only myself
as the present member Of 1t, 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 a man as himself? I do not want to
pain you with unpleasant stories of the
past. Enough that ask whether your
son is worse on account of the character
and i'll deeds and wild extravaganza OF
his grandfather" She had gathered
this from the little secret history which
her father had written for her guild.
ance, and it was easy to see how the
shot told on Lady Walcote.
"You have your fathers daring, Lo-
la, she said, using the Christian name
for the first time.
There is much of my poor dear IA
ther in me, / know" said Lola, allow
lug her manner to soften as she came
TO what she meant to be the turning
point Of the interview. land, frankly, l
would not have it otherwise. You and
those in England know one side Of his
character, I another. I know be was
wild; that he gambled, drank, cared
nothing for religion and committed
crime which drove him to exile. In all
that he was what the world calls bad.
But a truer man, a stancher friend,
kinder father, he could not have been.
In all his troubles, in all his riotous hv-
ing, in all his wildness, he had never a
harsh thought or unkind word for me.
You are right in thinking am not as
your girls here in England. have lived
at times the wild bohemian life to
which he was driven, and | never had q
mother to stand between me and the
rougher side of it. But from the hour
when left the convent school at Ami
ens-from choice, for often he wanted
me to leave him and come to England,
but he was the only thing that had
loved me and had loved, and | could
not leave him in his old age-from the
first to the last he watched and guarded
and cared for me with love that all
my life long must make his name a
sweet sound in my ears.
Her voice trembled as she spoke the
last words, and she paused and then re-
sumed, speaking with sudden impetuos-
ity:
"Do you blame me? Do you say the
daughter was wrong to prefer to stay
by the fathers side at the risk OF her
future in England? Well, if you do, l
cannot help it. / would do it again only
too cheerfully if could bring him from
his lonely Swiss grave. am not Of the
cold, callous natures that love and hate
where expediency points and Judgment
suggests. l love because love, rashly,
wildly, madly may be, but at least l
do not forget who and what am or
what the honor Of my family demands. !"
do you love my SOM" asked Lady
Walcote suddenly.
At the question Lola was like one
moved by all ovcrpowering rush OF tenn
pestuous emotion, which swept over her,
carrying before it all the checks and
bars of restraint which she had imposed
upon herself Her eyes filled with light.
she flushed and then paled instantly.
Her fingers were interclasped with
strenuous force, and her lips were rigid
ly pressed, while her nostrils dilated
with the fitful gusts in which her breath
passed and repassed from her heaving
bosom Then she appeared to fight down
her feelings and gradually to recover
self possession. When she spoke. it was
calmly and harshly
1t was a magnificent piece Of acting,
and it lulled even the sharp suspicious
of Lady Walcote.
II will not listen to that question If
you please, Lady Walcote. Young as |
am, my experience has told me that
love alone cannot give happiness III
marriage. I will not marry your son
without your consent, and on that l
pledge you my word. "
my dear, / believe l have wronged
you," said the old lady. rising as she
spoke and kissing the GIRL forehead.
And without saying more she went
home.
When Lola was alone in her own
room and the door was locked that no