Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-03-06
Copyright, 1900, by Harold McGrath.
CHAPTER XVI.


waking would find me grubbing at my
desk In New York. 1t was so unreal
for these days-mosaic romance In the
heart Of proSaic fact! Was there ever
the like? 1t was real enough. however
In the daytime. when the roar of Lon
don hammered at my tears. but when
/ sat alone In my room 1t assumed the
hazy garments of a dream. Sometimes
| caught myself listening for Hillars
q footstep In the corridor. and | would
take my pipe from my mouth and wait
expectantly. But the door never open
ed, and the footsteps always passed on
Often in my dreams stood by the riy'
er again. There Is solace in these deep
wide streams. We come and go-our
hopes, our loves, our ambitions. Ma
ture alone remains. Should ever be-
hold Gretchen again? Perhaps. Yet
there was no thrill at the thought. If
ever | beheld her again. 1t would be
when she was placed beyond the glance
OF my eye. the touch Of my hand. She
was mine-aye. as dream might be;
something possessed. but could not
hold. Heigho! The faces that peer at
us from the freight shadows! They
troop along in a ghostly cavalcade. and
the winds that creep over the window
sill and under the door-who can say
that they are not the echoes Of voices
we once heard in the past?
was often on the verge Of sending
In my resignation, but would remem-
ber In time that work meant bread and
butter-and forgetfulness. When re-
turned to the Office, few questions were
asked, though my assistant looked
many of them reproachfully. | told
him that Hillars had died abroad and
that be had been buried on the CONT
nent at his request, all Of which was
true, but only half Of it. did my best
to keep the duel secret, but it finally
came out. 1t was the topic In the
clubs, for Hillars had been well known
in political and literary circles. But in
a month or 80 the affair subsided. The
world never stops very long. even
when it loses one of It's best friends.
One late October morning l received
note which read:
John Winthrop:
Dear Sir-I am In london for . few days, home.
ward bound from q trip to Egypt, and as we are
cousins and "orphans, too," ] should like the
pleasure Of making your acquaintance. Trusting
that shall find you at leisure, am, your humble
servant, PHILIP PEMBROKE.
"Ah," said l, that Louisianian cous-
In Of mine, who may or may not live
the year out" recalling the old law
yer's words. He seems to hang on
pretty we'll. l hope he'll be interesting.
Few rich men are. He writes like q
polite creditor. What did the old fel-
low say was the matter with him?
Heart trouble or consumption? | can't
remember" threw the note aside
and touched up some Of my dispatches.
Precisely at 10 o'clock the door open
ed, and man came In. He was fash
ionably dressed, mixture Of Piccadil.
ly and Broadway in taste. He was
tall, slender, but we'll formed, and his
blond mustache Shone out distinctly
against background Of tanned skin.
He had fine blue eyes.
"Have the pleasure Of speaking to
John Winthrop Of New York;? he he.
gan. taking off his hat.
rose. IL am the man." He pre-.
sented his card. and OH it read. Phil.
ip Pembroke"
"Philip Pembroke" exclaimed.
"Evidently you are surprised? show
ing q set Of strong white teeth.
"Truthfully | am" said, taking his
hand. You see" | added apOlogetical.
ly. your family lawyer-that is-he
gave ME the-er--impreSSion that you
were a sickly fellow-one foot in the
grave or something like. was not ex.
pecting a man of your build"
The smile brOadened into deep
laugh, and a merry one. | thought en.
v!ously. 1t was so long since | had
laughed.
THAT was a hobby Of the old fel-
low" he replied When | was boy.
had palpitation Of the heart. He
never got rid Of the idea that | might
die at any moment. He was always
warning me about violent exercises
the good old soul. Peace to his ashes!
He Is dead?
"Yes. When | took to travelling. he
all but had nervous proStration. sup
pose he told you about that will
made in your favor. 1t was done tC
please him. Still" he added Soberly
1T stands. travel deal. and no one
knows what may happen. And SO you
are the John Winthrop my dad treated
so shabbily? Oh. don't protest: he did
| should have hunted you up long age
and given you solid bank account
only ! knew that the son of my aunt
must necessarily be q gentleman and
therefore would not look favorably un
on such proceeding"
Thank you" said |. The fellow
pleased me.
And then | did not know but what
you cared nothing for money"
"True 4 journalist doesn't care
anything about money. The life Is too
easy and pleasant. and most Of the
things he needs are thrown in. as they
say"
This bit of sarcasm did not pass. My
cousin laughed again that merry laugl
of his.
81 think we shall become grea
friends" he said. Il like frankness."
'My remark in it's literal sense wa:
the antithesis Of frankness."
"Ah, you said too much not to b'
frank. Frankness Is one Of the rea
sons why | do not get on well with thu
women. can't lie In the right place
and when do it Is generally ten time!