Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-05-02
CHAPTER TX.
THE LOVE OF A WOMAN.

moved from my bed to big chair
drawn up to the window 1t was the
heat of summer now Harry was more
dashing and poetic than ever before.
All the household, from the baron and
baroness down to the boy who twirled
the spits in the kitchen. was gay. and
yet deep under my slowly Frightening
face and outward improvement, lay a
black devil eating at my heart 1t was
the devil of doubt. for Marion. whose
ewes | had so often seen kind and soft,
came to me seldom now. and when she
did it was always with my mother or
Harry Never a word Of my passionate
note under the verses think Harry
noticed it. too, for he was kinder than
ever to me Likewise Captain Castle
tree. who would come and read aloud
from his books for hours al tima
One day was sitting alone at my
open window 1t was early evening
Ny mother had just left my side. and !
was in half dream 1t was not glad
dream to cheer the. heart. nor mad
dream of battle to set my pulses leap
ing My gray meditations were broken
by the clatter CT hoofs in the courtyard
below and the sound of greetings.
stood as best could for my weakness.
and looked out A big roam horse was
there. and gentleman had just dis
mounted and was leaning over my
mothers hand The whole family seem
ed to be at the dining hall door to greet
him Marion and the captain greeted
him with the fervor of old friends |
heard my father say. welcome to my
house Sir Willisr'
| sank back in my chair.
who the devil is thisr" l said "He
bows like sword scabbard and has a
face like bishop.
Presently Harry came up and told me
that the newcomer was Sir Willis How
ard. who had come on from England
posthaste with brave news for the cap
tain
"What is the news7" | asked huskily
THAT the estate in Devon will be
Castletree's again on Christmas day.
and that the real political offender has
been discovered.
For some time said nothing. The
light had gone out at the window,
How young l wasl
Then, "Who is Sir Willisf" asked.
can old friend of the Castletrees and
the captains godson, he replied, land
a famous swordsman. too. | have
heard"
All this, which should have cheered
me vastly. only threw me into a deeper
gloom.
When Harry presented me to the
newcomer. l looked at him narrowly,
measuring him as one fencer does an.
other before the saluting. He was not
overtall, but square shouldered and
long armed His face was long and
grave his eyes steely. his smile slow
and sinister
He said very little. but his shifting
eyes saw everything
With the family he was quite ia.
vorite at first. and. as the Castletrees
were persuaded to stay in Wassmark
until after Christmas, Sir Willis post
poned his own departure
think we all saw his reason for do
ing so before three days had past He
walked rode and sat on the south ter.
race with Mistress Marion. and she ac-
cepted all his attentions with gayety.
His manner toward Harry was al
ways considerate and pleasant. but to-
ward me that of lord to footman,
One day. when ne had come up with
the captain to borrow my spurs, he told
my mother, who was reading aloud.
how in England the younger sons were
always packed off to the ends of the
earth to find their own fortunes.
The captain flushed crimson, the
baroness stared. but I only remembered
it and made no sign
In few days could move about the
house, and even take short walks on the
terrace. At meals threw off my lately
acquired reserve and talked freely. lay
ing myself open to his cutting sarcasm
enjoyed this because it made my
rival anything but lovely in the eyes of
the family and heightened my score
against him Marion. however. seemed
to find his company as fascinating as
ever and the rest had to put up with
their guest
Where was the open hearted boy
now. once so fond of clapping hand to
hilt and then begging forgiveness for
the same? Even the Princess Barbara
would now find me grown old enough
often thought of her
The polished and learned viscount
showed more feeling then l. and was
often barely polite to the Englishman.
and Captain Castletree, in spite Of his
return of fortune. looked anxious and
surprised at my change of spirit
Twas standing under the three shields
one day looking down the avenue and
thinking of that first time Marion bad
come tripping up toward the house of
LISTENS. when boy suddenly appeared
with bunch of late meadow roses. He
belonged in the stables and eyed me
nervously before pluckipg up courage
to say, Your honor the English lord
and Mistress Castletree picked these for
you.
took them from his hands, and the
old hot blood would not be held down
With an oath flung them across the
hedge and, turning Oh my heel. went
into the hall.
There stood my mother. facing me