Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-09-06
9fffffE f HE LADY
Of I"YNN.
BY SIR WALTER BESANT.

ing and going-now pale, now blushing
for the first time in her life trembling
and inclined to swoon. Even for girl
who loves a man it Is an event Of the
greatest importance and one never to
be forgotten when she consents to
make him happy. But when she is In
grievous doubt, torn by the conscious.
ness that she does not love the man,
that she Is afraid of him, that she does
not desire the change Of rank which he
offers and that she would FIR rather
remain among her own people-in such
q case, l say, her trouble Is great In.
deed. However, to do honor to the oc-
casion. she, like the captain, had as
sumed her Sunday attire. Her frock,
to be sure. was not so fine as that In
which she graced the assembly, but 1t
was passable. TO my mind she looked
more beautiful than In that splendid
dress.
At her guardians summons she slow
ly descended the stairs. The kitchen
door was open. She looked in as she
passed. Her mother. instead Of being
busy over her housewifery. was sitting
In her chair, her hands clasped, her
eyes closed, her lips moving. She was
praying for her daughter. Molly STEP
ped In and kissed her. Mother" she
said. pray that 1t may turn out we'll.
must accept him. Yet | doubt. Oh.
pray for me!'
| Because" her mother murmured In
reply. 1.-The captain cannot help. and
Jack cannot help. and there is none
other that helpeth us but only thou. o
Godv'
Then Molly turned the handle Of the
parlor door and entered.
Miss Molly" Her gallant lover.
splendid with his star and his fine
clothes. took her hand. bowed low and
kissed her fingers.
"You would speak with me. my lord"
Yesterday sent message to your
guardian. told him by my messen.
ger-that | was entirely overcome by
the beauty and the charms and the
virtues Of his fair ward, and offered,
unworthy as | am. my hand and all
that goes with Tiny rank and title.
my possessions and myself"
"The captain told me Of the message" J."
IL have today received an answer
from him. But. although he Is your
guardian, ! would not presume to con-
slider that answer as final must have
your answer as we'll"
my lord. | am but humble and a
homely person"
May. but lovely as Venus herself"
II know not, since all the company
have come to Lynn. how homely and
humble am In the eyes Of gentlcfolk."
You will no longer be either homely
/ or humble when you are countess"
II fear that your friends among the
great will make your lordship ashamed
Of your choice"
My friends know me better than to
suppose that Gun be shamed by their
opinion. But. indeed. they have only
to see you for that opinion to be
changed. Once seen by the world. and
all will envy and congratulate the hap
py posSesSor Of so much beauty"
"Then-a are you satisfied that you are
truly in love with mc?"
| "SatistipdY" He took her hand and
kissed it. How shall l satisfy you on
this point? By what assurance? BY
what lovers vowsT
She glanced upward. having spoken
so far with hanging head. Her eyes
met his. Alas. they were cold and
hard! There was no softening intiu-
ence of love visible in those eyes-only
resolution and purpose. His eyes were
as cold as his forehead and as hard as
his lips Poor Molly! Poor countess!
"ls it not. my lord" she asked. "a
mere passing fancy? You will be tired
of me In a month. You will regret that
you did not choose. rather. among the
fine ladies who speak your language
and follow your manners"
Molly. am a man who does not en-
! ! courage idle fancies and passing loves
You will find no change in me. AS |
am now so shall be always"
She shivered. The prospect made
her feel cold.
Then. my lord" she said. 81 have
nothing more to say. shall not do
justice to your rank. nor shall l bring
to your house the dignity which you
deserve. Such as am. take me, II you
WILL or let me 60. II you will"
Can you doubt. Molly? will take
you" He hesitated: he took her hand
again: he stopped and kissed her fore
head There was no passion in bis
kiss. no tenderness IN his touch. no
emotion in his voice. Such as be was
though the door was closed, Molly
seemed to hear again the voice Of her
mother murmuring. But only thou. o
Godp
Her lover drew the captains arm.
chair and placed 1t at the open win
dow. which looked out into the gar
den. then filled with flowers. fragrant
and beautiful and melodious with the
hummug Of many bees.
"Sit down. Molly. and let US talk"
He did not sit down; be stood before
her: he walked about the room; he
played with the gold tassels Of his
sword
Molly. since we are to be married,
we must he married at once"
Il AIN your lordshlps servant"
las soon as possible. Are you
| l-0