Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-04-18

y
trust my forbears?'
Miss Malvina was in total eclipse be-
hind very large pocket handkerchief.
Tom. bending his head low. could
catch but one word. fractured by sobs.
Poor"
Poor! What. and you did not let
me know? Now. do you call that be-
ing friend? Why. haven't you heard
what a famously rich man my inven.
ton has made of me? Come. now.
dear old friend How happy 1t will
make me to become your banker! Who
Is there but you to share my good for
tune"
Miss Malvina emerged into view
with eyes full Of perplexity and aston.
shment.
Thomas Broxton. what are you
talking about"
Didn't you say you were poor, and
wasn't that what you were-were"-
"Blubbering about? Well. upon my
word and honor. Yes. did say poor,
but wasn't talking about myself.
Ol-she-would never let me lack for
anything. She is as good as an own
daughter to me-"
"She?"
"M-mhr'
II suppose you mean Olivia by
'sheY"
Thank goodness, at lastw
She looked at him radIantly and pock-
eted her big handkerchief with O tri-
umphant flourish. Tom looked per-
picked in his turn.
"Thank goodness for what"
"You will bear me witness, Tom. you
did it, didn't"
"I'll bear you witness to anything"
said Tom. with great laugh. "if you'll
only be little more lucid"
"Ollie said ! wasn't on any terms to
bring her name into the conversation
unless you mentioned 1t first, and be-
gan to think you never would do it."
A cloud settled on Toms bright face.
But why-why should we not men,
tion her name? Does she suppose that
I am going through life with bayonet
set to run amuck Of any man or wo-
man. who mentions Clarence West
overs wife In my presence? | have
accepted the inevitable"
"Oh, my! Well. just don't care
just must-I am dying to-I'm going
| to-
While Miss Malvina held this spas
modic colloquy with conscience In
audible jerks Tom watched her anx-
iously. Was Mother" Spillman's
"queerness" going to descend upon her
daughter?
"Tom, dear. If anything pleasanter
than the inevitable should be offered
for your acceptance, would you en-
brace itT
He knitted his brows comically.
"How very mysterious you are. Miss
Viniew
wouldn't you-don't you know o.
lie Is not Clarence Westover's wife?
Don't you know she's just been daft
ever since she heard you were hurtp'
He turned very pale. but seated him
self by her side before making any
sort Of reply. He had perfect control
Of himself when he answered.:
"No; had not heard anything. You
see. have been very much cut of
from my old acquaintances out here.
Where-is-she, then? You said you
did not leave her on the other side of
the water"
"She's down stairs"
Down stalrsT He bounded to his
feet, then stopped irresolutely.
Miss Malvina laughed fretfully and
gave him a little shove.
mercy on me! What between you
and Olivia | feel as II | was trying
to work two mechanical toys with all
their machinery out Of order. It's
Jerk forward and a jerk backward.
Please 20 down stairs. Tom. and have
It all out with Ollie one way or the
other. Take my word for 1t. she loves
you dearly"
| And there were no more backward
jerks on his part to complain Of. When
be entered the dark. stuffy parlor. he
could scarcely discern the slim figure
seated in it's farthest corner. He still
limped slightly from his accident. but
his progress was reasonably rapid.
"Ollviaw He stretched out dis
hands eagerly. my little friend! Why,
thought you were on the other side
of the ocean"
Her hands were in his. and she was
looking up at him with light In her
eyes that fairly Illuminated the OBJ
scurity for him.
"And thought you were In sick
bed with broken legs and things. and
I expected to kneel down by your bed
side and whisper all sorts Of contrite
and comforting things into your poor
ears, and here you are strong and well
and bigger than ever!'
81 am very sorry" said Tom meekly,
and then they both laughed. Still hold
ling her hands In his, he drew her to q