Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-12-22

Qlm III lOTeSl VAIN hSoA SaS AA'>A'
Brandon was sauntering along read.
ing when they overlook him. Jane told
me afterward that Mary's conduct up
on coming up to him was pretty and
curious beyond the naming. At first
she was inclined to be distant and say
cutting things. but when Brandon be-
gan to grow restive under them and
showed signs of turning back she
changed front in the twinkling OF an
eve and was all sweetness. She laugh.
ed and smiled and dimpled, as only she
could, and was full Of bright glances
and gracious words.
She tried a hundred little schemes to
get him to herself for moment-the
bunting Of wild flower or four
leaved clover or the exploration OF
some little nook In the forest toward
which she would lead him-but Jane
did not at frst take the hint and kept
close at her heels. Mary's impulsive
nature e.as not much given to limiting
she usually nodded. and most en-
phatically ut that-so after few fail-
ures to rid herself of her waiting lady
she said impatiently: Jane, in the
name Of heaven. don't keep so close to
US! You won't move out Of reach OF
my hand. and you know how often 1t
inclines to box your ears!
Jane did know. am sorry for Mays
sake to say, how often the fair hand
was given 20 such spasms; so with this
emphasized hint she walked on ahead
half sulky ut the indignity put upon
her and half amused at her whimsical
mistress.
Mary lost no time. but began the at.
tack at once.
"Now. sir. | want you to tell NE the
truth. Why do you refuse my invita-
tions and so persfstently keep away
from me? thought at first l would
simply let you go your way, and then
I thought IL would not. Don't deny
it. know you won't. With all your
faults. you don't tell even little lies;
not even to a woman-I believe. Now
there is fine compliment-is it not?-
when l intended to scold your She
gave futtering little laugh. and, with
hanging head. continued: Tell me-
Is not the kings sister Of quality suf'
fcient to suit you? Perhaps you must
have the Ieen or the Blessed Virgin;
Tell me III W." And she looked up at
him. half II banter. half in doubt.
my duties began Brandon.
"Oh, bother your duties! Tell me
the truth"
81 will. If you let me-" returned
Brandon. who had no intention what
ever of doing anything Of the sort
"My duties now occupy my time In the
evening"
"That will not do" interrupted Mary
who knew enough Of guardsman's
duty to be sure it was not onerous
"You might as well come to it and tel
the truth; that you do not like our so
ciety." And she gave him a vicious
little glance without shadow OF
smile,
"In Gods name, Lady Mary, that Is
not it." answered Brandon, who was
on the rack. please do not think 1t
I cannot bear to have you say such
thing when it Is so far from the rea
truth"
"Then tell me the real truth"
81 cannot; cannot. l beg Of YOU
not to ask. Leave me, or let me leave
you! refuse to answer further" The
latter half of this sentence was uttered
doggedly and sounded sullen and IL
humored, although Of course it was moi
so intended. He had been so perilous
" near speaking words which would
probably have lighted, to their destruc
tion-to his certainly-the smolderine
flames within their breast that II
frightened him. and the manner II
which he spoke was but tone giving
utterance to the pain in his heart.
Mary took it as It sounded and In un
feigned surprise exclaimed angrily
Leave you? Do I hear Alright?
never thought that l. the daughter and
sister of king. would live to be dis
missed by a-by a-any one."
"Your highness"- began Brandon
but she was gone before he could
speak.
He did not follow her to explain
knowing how dangerous such an ex
planat ton wC"rl be. but felt that l,
was best for ti.r.u both that she should
remain offended. painful as the though,
was to him.
OF course. Mary's womanly self es
TEEN. to say nothing Of her royal pride
was wounded to the quick, and nc
wonder.
Poor Brandon sat down upon stone
and Us he longingly watched her retr
ing form wished in his heart he were
dead. This was the first time he really
knew how much he loved the girl. ano
he saw that. with him at least. it was
a matter of bad to worse and at thai
rate would soon be-worst.
Now that he had unintentionally OF
Tended her and had permitted her te
20 without an explanation she was
dearer to him than ever, and as he Sal
there with his face in his hands he
| knew that II matters went on as they
were going the time would soon come
when he would throw caution to the
dogs and would try the impossible
| win her for his own. Caution anC
Judgment still sat enthroned, and they
| told him now what he knew full vel
they would not tell him after a short
time-that failure was certain to fol
low the attempt and disaster sure tC
| follow failure. First, the king would
In all probability cut off his head upoI