Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-01-05
Copyright. lS97, by the Author.
CHAPTER II.
LADY wALCoTE INTERVIEWS.

smoking ana day dreaming, alter nls
interview with Lola, when Mrs. De
Witt and her cousin Beryl returned to
the hotel from the walk on which he
ought to have accompanied them, and
the former surprised him Oh the balcony
and before he could escape. Her shrewd
instincts scented mischief.
"By yourself, Magog?" she said. She
generally had q pet name for her male
intimates as a sort of compromise be-
tween the Christian and surnames. This
was chosen in reference to the baronet's
great size and strength. II thought some
one was with you-Mrs. Villyers, of
course''-this dryly-"and had perhaps
stopped your coming with US.
"No; think she's in her rooms some
where" he answered, looking at her.
"She's sweet old lady, I think, for
an innocent, and / certainly do think
she's the most innocent growth / ever
met-for o woman. She's so fond of
dear Lola too. wonder where she is.
They're the sweetest pair I know"
"I think no end of Mrs. Villyers, "
said Sir Jaffray.
"Of course; we all do. She's such an
obliging soul, too-coming all this way
from her comfortable home, and just to
please Lola. 1 hope / shall be as good
to my young people when I'm her age. "
Zone can't think Of you as ever being
her age," he answered, smiling.
"Xou don't seem to think of me even
as I am, judging by this afternoon, ,"
was the retort, prompted by Jealousy
and helped with flash of her brown
eyes.
But Sir Jaffray wasn't looking at
her and missed this, and his answer
was lamentably commonplace.
"That's all you know"
"Why didn't you come this after
noon, then, as you said you would?
You know very we'll that under the cir
cumstances Beryl at any rate had a
right to expect you.
"Yes, perhaps she had. I'm afraid
So I'm sorry" His companions words
had reminded him of what Lola had
said, and he felt uneasy.
Afraid so! You are not generally
more afraid to do what you ought to do
than what you ought not" This war
said rather sharply. "Why didn t you
Gomez"
"Beryl had you, and you had Beryl, 4"
he answered with provoking slowness.
"And you had?"
Myself, of course" he returned,
getting up.
She got up, too, and stood in his way.
II don't see why you should want t"
hide what you've been doing"
"That would be difficult from your
sharp eyes, wouldn' t it," And be smiled
down at her good humoredly.
why don't you tell me all about it,
them"
"There's so little in it, you know.
Only two letters-I and another.
~ see. You would rather learned
it ,rJm the other, then. can ask her. "
81 never said there was anything to
ask, please"
"Do you know that Beryl has had
letters from the manor?" asked Mrs. d.
Witt, changing her line suddenly, irri-
tated at his fencing with her.
"How can l? l haven't seen her since
they came.
Your mother has written to her. >
This was said as though with specia!
significance.
"Thc dear mother! She has the best
heart in the world" he replied.
"But she doesn't like the second let.
ter of that little it" And she sought
his eyes with q challenge i'll her own.
''If she has Il fault, 1 am afraid she's
too fond of the first letter. I've had my
own way all my life" he answered, IT,
turning her look and smiling.
She made pretty gesture of irrlta-
tion.
"You re more than provoking today,
Magog. At one time you didn't keep
secrets from me.
"There are some secrets that are not
worth keeping from amy one, little WON
an" he replied. Then he changed his
manner and tone completely, and lay
ing hand on her shoulder said earnest
ly and kindly: Don't worry; wait.
I'm only fencing"
II know that, you great-boy, She
answered But want to know more. y
"All right; l understand. Well,
Beryl," nc said, breaking off in differ.
ent tone, rs his cousin came out and
Joined them, Il hear you have letter,
from home"
The girl started slightly ut this, ant
her usually calm and rather cold fea
lures flushed somewhat, as if the word:
had some embarrassing reference know
to herself.
eyes, have had one from the moth
er." The two always spoke of Lady
Walcote as 1.-The mother" Bcryl beinl
motherless.
"Is anything up at the manor:' h'
asked, noticing her concern.
mo. Everything is just as 1t wa
when we left week ago. The mothc
has not been very well; worried, SIT
saws. She asks me to give you this let
ter" The tint OH her checks dcrpene'
somewhat us she held out to him II let
ter and met his eyes, looking at he
with direct and rather searching Ill
quiry.
While nc opened the envelope, Berry
turned to Mrs. De Witt.
"Do you know the news: Mrs. Viii
yers is going homc-tonight, | think, O
first thing tomorrow.
"No, hadn't heard it, answered
Mrs. De Witt, looking with keen
quick glance ut the baronet and sur
prised to see him start and flush ant