Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-11-24
. CHAPTER XIX.

pltdSSu. w hehS NoSS S~~
want with Gwen" he said impat1ently.
"She will just put notions into her head
and make the child discontented."
"Why should she?" said I.
"She won't mean to, but she belongs
to another world. and Gwen cannot
talk to her without getting glimpses Of
a life that will make her long for what
she can never have" said the Pilot.
"But suppose it is not idle curiosity
in Lady Charlotte" suggested.
81 don't say it is quite that" he an
swered, "but these people love sen
sation."
81 don't think you know Lady Char
lotte," I replied. II hardly think from
her tone the other night that she Is a
sensation hunter"
"At any rate" he answered decided
ly, "she Is not to worry poor Gwen"
I was a little surprised at his att-
tude and felt that he was unfair to
Lady Charlotte, but forbore to argue
with him on the matter. He could not
bear to think of any person or thing
threatening the peace Of his beloved
Gwen.
The very first Saturday after my
promise was given we were surprised
to see Lady Charlotte ride up to the
door Of our shack in the early morn
Ing.
"You see, l am not going to let you
e." she said as 1 greeted her. "And
Tie day is 50 very fine for ride"
hastened to apologize for not going
to her, and then to get out Of my diff
Guilty rather meanly turned toward the
Pilot and said:
The Pilot doesn't approve Of our
visit"
"And why not, may I ask?" said
Lady Charlotte, lifting her eyebrows.
The Pilots face burned, partly with
wrath at me and partly with embar-
rassment, for Lady Charlotte had put
on her grand air. But he stood to his
guns.
Il was saying, Lady Charlotte" he
said, looking straight into her eyes,
that you and Gwen have little in COM
mon-and-and"- He besitated.
Little in common said Lady Char
lotte quietly. "She has suffered great
ly."
The Pilot was quick to catch the
note of sadness in her voice.
"Yes," he said, wondering at her
tone. "She has suffered greatly"
and" continued Lady Charlotte,
"she is bright as the morning, the
Duke says" There was look of pain
in her face.
The Pilots face lit up, and he came
nearer and laid his hand caressingly
upon her beautiful horse.
Eyes, thank God," he said quickly;
bright as the morning."
"How can that be" she asked, look
Ing down into his face. Perhaps she
would tell me-"
LADY Charlotte" said the Pilot,
with q sudden flush, II must ask your
pardon. I was wrong. 1 thought
you"-he paused-"but go to Gwen.
She will tell you, and you will do her
good"
THANK you" said Lady Charlotte,
putting out her hand, land perhaps you
will come and see me too."
The Pilot promised, and stood looking
after us as we rode up the trail.
"There is something more In your
Pilot than at first appears" she said.
'1The Duke was quite right"
"He is great man," said, with en-
thusiasm; tender as woman and
with the heart Of a hero"
"You and Bill and the Duke seem to
agree about him." she said, smiling.
Then told her tales Of the Pilot and
Of his ways with the men till her blue
eyes grew bright and her beautiful
face lost its proud look.
ut is perfectly amazing" said, fin
ishing my story. "how these devil may
care rough fellows respect him and
come TO him in all sorts Of trouble. l
can't understand it. and yet he is just a
boy"
"No; not amazing" said Lady Char
lotte slowly. IL think / understand it..
He has true mans heart and holds a
great purpose in it. I've seen men like
that-not clergymen. mean, but men
with Il great purpose"
Then. after moments thought, she
added: But you ought to care for him
better. He does not look strong
Strong" exclaimed quickly, with a
queer feeling Of resentment at my
heart. He can do as much riding as
any OF u.s."
Still" she replied. there's some
thing in HE face that would make his
mother anxious" In spite Of my re-
pudiation Of her suggestion l found
myself for the next few minutes think
ing Of how he would come exhausted
and faint from his long rides, and re-
solved that he must have rest and
change.
By the time we reached the canyon
the sun was riding high and pouring
its rays fnll into all the deep hooks
where the shadows mostly lay.
Down in the bottom stood the cedars
and the balsams, still green. We stood
some moments silently gazing into this
tangle of interlacing boughs and SHIN
mering leaves, all glowing in yellow
light, then Lady Charlotte broke the
silence In tones soft and reverent as If
she stood in a great cathedral.
"And this is Ovens canyonT
"Yes. but she never sees it now" l