Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-09-24

Siblp We were left unmoleSted HI
the afternoon. though the captain made
me stay rs a kind of garrison In case
of any attempt at abduction being
made
In the evening Molly In her chair and
dressed in her tinery was carried to the
gardens. while the captain. the vicar
and myself formed a bodyguard.
We arrived after the dancing had be-
gun. Lady AnaStasia was looking on,
but her court of ladies' and young men
for some reason seemed to have melt
ed away. She stood almost alone, save
for the support of the old beau Sir Har.
~. The colonel was also with her. and
the Rev. Benjamin Purden stood be-
hind her.
The music was in the gallery at the
end of the long room. The dancing was
carried OH In the middle. Lady Anas,
tasia was standing on the right Of the
gallery. most of the company on the
left. Molly. with the captain and fol-
low.d by the vicar and myself. turned
to the left
On her entrance all eyes were fixed
upon the newly made countess. She
had come without her lord! Was this
part of the secret-a secret known to
all the world-or was his lordship. be-
fore the whole company. about to lead
bis bride to the first place. as became
her newly acquired rank? Some Of the
ladies regarded her with looks of ha-
tired, the successors Of the looks OF
scorn with which they had first well
coined her. Most Of them. however.
we're kindly. A tale Of love always
meets with a friendly reception Not
woman in the place but would have
taken her place with JOY unmeasured.
AS no other woman could, they were
ready to accept their fate and to make
friends with the successful and the
fortunate winner Of so great a prize.
1t was q great prize. indeed, IL they
only knew.
The minuets were over and the coun-
try dance was about to begin when
Lord Fylingdale arrived. followed, as
usual. by his secretary. He stood at
the door: be looked around. Then.
with the cold pride which never failed
him. he stepped across the room and
bowed low to Molly. MADAM" be
said. with your permission. we will
dance this country dance together be-
fore l take you away with me-"
MY lord" replied Molly aloud. so
that the whole company heard and
trembled. ~ shall not dance with you
this evening nor on any other even
Ing"
"She will never again dance with
you, my lord. Nor will she hold any
discourse with you. Nor will she will
ingly admit you to her presence" II
was the vicar who spoke, because the
man and the occasion proved too much
for the good old captain, who could
only roll thunderously between his
teeth things more fitted for the quell'
ing of q mutiny than for dealing with
such q man as his lordship.
"Pray, sir" said Lord Fylingdale,
stepping back. what is the meaning
of this? Pray, madam"-he turned to
Molly-"what Is the meaning Of this
sudden change? Captain Crowle, have
l or have l not the right to claim my
wife,"
The vicar stepped forward and con.
fronted him. His tall, thin figure. his
long cassock. his thin and ascetic face,
contrasted with the overhaughtiness
Of his adversary.
"NIy lord" he asked. how long has
shis lady been your wifeT
I'VE were married" he said, lat
o'clock this morning by the Rev. Mr.
Benjamin Purden, who Is here to bear
witness to the fact. The wedding was
private at my request. because. as you
may perhaps believe. was not anx'
ious to join in the wedding feast with
company Of Doors, pumpkins and
Sailors"
Ladies' and gentlemen"-the vicar
raised his voice and by a gesture 81
lenced the orchcStra-"I have to lay
before you q conspiracy which ! be-
lieve is unparalleled in any history
You are aware that Lord Fylingdalc
who stands before you. came to the
spa few weeks ago for purposes best
known to himself You will also doubt
less remember that certain persons
who arrived before him were loud In
his praises. He was said by them to
be q model of all the virtues. | will
not repeat the things that were said"
"All this" said Lord Fylingdale, sis
beside the mark. come to claim my
wife,"
among those who accepted these
statements for gospel was Captain
Crowle. the guardian of the young lady
beside me. 1t was to him great hon
or to be admitted to converse with Sc
distinguished Il nobleman and to be
permitted to consult with him as to the
affairs Of his ward. He even Informed
his lurtlShip of the extent Of the lady's
fortune. which is far greater than was
generally understood. Thereupon his
lortship began to pay attention Of 9
marked character. You have all, be-
lieve, remarked these attentions. Then
came the attempted abduction and the
lady's rescue by Lord Fylingdale. Aft
er this he formally offered his hand
and his rank to the lady. The honor
seemed very great. lie was accepted
He then engaged the lady to undertake
a private marriage without festivities
to which she consented She promised
in fact, to be married ut st. Nicholas
church this very morning at 6 O'Clock" L"
"All this" said Lord Fylingdale cold
ly, sis quite true, yet why you detair
tho nnmnnnv to tho narrative | do moi