Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-03-14


conjuring up all sorts Of imaginary
dangers. You know I can manage
horse, If there is any one thing on earth
1 can manage, and Mr.. Westover says
he is perfectly gentle"
"Oh, yes, to be sure! A sheep Is
fiery by comparison, .'pon honor, sir.
MY sister Jeanne Is q notorious cow
ard. You don't think would let Miss
Matthews run any risk" This with
an ardent look at Olivia.
The three walked down the steps to-
gether, Westover cutting at the shrub
berry with bis whip. Ollie holding her
pretty head well up under the little
gayly plumed riding hat. Mr.. Mat
thews with his bare head cleaning
white and venerable In the bright SUM-
shine. Tom took 1t ell In gloomily with
out once losing his interest In the map
of Europe. There was certainly moth
ing about the new horses appearance
to inspire apprehension. He stood with
his head hung dejectedly, as If he knew
and resented the fact Of having been
recently and somewhat unfavorably
criticised.
"Now, papa, does he look danger
ous?" Ollie cried, laughing triumphant
ly as she ran lightly forward to mount
the horse block.
81 can't say that he does. In fact, !
think may say positively that he does
not. But be careful, my darling. West
over, don't let her be reckless. She
loses her head when she mounts q
horse. l think there must have been a
Jockey among her ancestors"
After watching the start the lawyer
turned slowly back toward the house
with his head bent and bis hands fold
ed behind his back. He was in no par
ticular hurry to get back to the library.
In spite Of all that had been said. lin
gering sense of uneaslness beset him.
He was always uneasy when Olivia
was out Of his sight.
She was his idol, his all. What a
clever little witch she was, too, older
than her years by reason Of her life
long companionship with him! How
adroitly she had managed to let Tom
Broxton see that there must not be any
love passages between them! And such
a slight hint he had given her! No;
for years yet he wanted no lovers
about. but If they must come Tom
Broxton perhaps should have his op-
portunity. Under some circumstances
Clarence Westover would be as accept
able as another. The Westoyers held q
fine position In the world and had the
money to maintain it on. Olivia must
have both. She was his idol. his all.
For her sake he would
He started and lifted his head. He
was back in the library. Tom Broxton
was looking at him with such keen d.
rectness that his own eyes fell before
the boys.
81 have been studying the map, sir,
since you have been out Of the room,
and am quite satisfied with the route
as you have marked it out. And. Mr..
Matthews"-he rose from the table,
pushing the map away with an irri-
tated motion-"we need not discuss the
matter any further. am ready to
start as soon as commencement Is
over, the sooner the better"
He was very pale. and his lips were
set firmly at the corners. Yes. the day
had been an utter failure, and he want
ed to get back to Broxton before O!ie
and Clarence Westover got back from
their ride. He knew now why Ollie
had no welcome to bestow on him.
II suppose will find my horse in the
back lot" he ended abruptly.
Eyes. l presume so. But Thomas,
my dear hoy. this is q very abrupt
termination to our talk. I have much
to say yet about your own affairs.
There are many points we have not
touched upon"
81 am sorry, sir, but shall start
back to college very soon in the morn
ing. If there Is anything of impor-
tance. | presume 1t can be communi-
Gated by letter. There are some things
at the Hall | want to look into before
leaving again" He held out his hand
and looked down into his guardians
face from his superior height frankly
and affectionately. And rest assured,
my dear guardian, that whether we
talk or don't talk. whether you write or
don't write, am content to leave my
affairs In the hands Of the man my
dear father loved and trusted"
The lawyers square set jaws quiv-
cred for a moment. but he wrung
Toms hand cordially. "Thank you,
my boy, thank you. A guardians posi-
tion is not an enviable one at best. You
have made mine much easier by your
kind words"
AS Tom rode away from the cottage
sore and disappointed about Olivia and
smarting with sense Of defeat. 1t oc'
Cured to him that he was rather glad
he had made that little speech to his
guardian. 1t was like exercising for
ever any feeling of distrust that might
have been aroused by that crazy non
sense Of Mother SDillman's. which
in spite Of him. had obtruded itsel1
once or twice during the day.
Yes. he would GO back to college ear
" in the morning. He would not even
wait to see Ollie again. He would start
on his foreign tour straight from col
lege. He would measure himself by
broader standards before he should see
her again. He must be without flaw ir
her eyes when he should finally ask
her to be his wife"