Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-12
CHAPTER XIII.
IN DEADLY PERIL.


IN DEADLY PERIL.
Beryl went away from her Interview
with the Frenchman sorely perplexed as
to what was best for her to do.
She did not doubt word Of what be
had said against himself, aud his CAL
lous confession of his villainous conduct
had made her shudder with hate of him.
She bad never come into personal con-
tact with any one who had tithe OF
bis rascality, and the experience was so
strange and battling that it confuset.
and dazed her.
But the interview had changed her
attitude toward Lola. 1t was clear 10
her now that, whatever might be Lola's
faults, she was more to be pitied thai
blamed in this matter, and Beryl
thought with shudder of loathing and
disgust of the fate of any woman tied
to such scoundrel as Pierre Turrian
and in his merciless power.
What was to be done?
Beryl asked herself the question over
and over again as she paced up and
down her room, and there seemed no
answer to it save one that spelled sor-
row and misery and perhaps disgrace
for them all. She hated to think that
she had to bring all this trouble on those
who were so dear to her, and she dread
ed all the exposure and scandal that
must follow.
When she had told the man that she
had thought of a means of escape from
all the trouble, it had been merely that
in her almost morbid eagerness to pre-
vent scandal she meant that he must
consent to 60 away at once and leave
the future settlement of the difficulty
with Lola, to be effected quietly in his
absence.
Her repugnance at his conduct made
her even anxious to let the blow fall as
lightly as possible on Lola, who by this
time no doubt bitterly repented what
she had done, and Beryl's pity for her
grew every moment as she dwelt Oh the
mans cruel baseness in trading on her
act. Her own high sense of honor and
her deep religious feeling accentuated
in her thoughts the sense of bitter de-
spair which she imagined must over
whelm Lola at being forced to admit
her crime and lose the man she loved
SO deeply or to 60 on living ill what
was in truth state of shame and sin.
Gradually a single resolve cleared it.
self in her thoughts.
She would make the man 60 away at
once-that very day, indeed-under
pain of Sir Jaffray being told of every
thing. and then she would determine
how to act in regard to Lola.
With this resolve she left her room
to seek NJ. Turrian and tell him what
she had decided. AS she was going
down stairs the luncheon gong sounded,
and thus she had to pass through the
ordeal of seeing the man whom she
knew Oh his own confession to be
treacherous scoundrel eating and drink
ing and laughing and talking with the
chivalrous friend whom he was betray
ing every moment that he staid in the
house. The mere sight of him sickened
her, and when he turned and spoke to
her and with his consummate audacity
rallied her upon her looks and hoped that
all he had said about his scheme had
not troubled her she could scarcely re-
main at the table.
He perceived this, and with his dar-
ing effrontery dropped little hints and
innuendoes as if challenging her to
speak.
As soon as the lunch was over, how
ever, she followed him and said she
must speak to him alone.
He turned willingly and instantly,
with his false, mocking, ever ready
smile Oh his face.
''Shall we 60 to the conservatory
again?' he asked. "It is an excellent
place for these touching little con-
fidences. I declare am almost glad of
them. They let ME see so much Of you. I"
"Anywhere will do for the few
words I have to say" returned Beryl
angrily. ''It is this: Unless you leave
Walcote manor within an hour Sir Jaf-
fray will know all. -
"Yes?" he answered, raising his eye
brows. "Well, am sorry for my poor
friend, then. 1t will be blow to him,
and he will feel it. For shall not go,
Miss Leycester. can't make any plau-
sible excuse. But this / will do, if you
LIKE will 60 tomorrow morning"
81 will give you till 10 o'clock to-