Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-10-30
CHAPTER X.


ES4SJ able to foresee the endless
series of exasperatious through which
she was destined to conduct me, still
wouldfI have undertaken my task.
For the child, with all her willfulness,
her tempers and her pride, made me,
as she did all others, her willing slave.
Her lessons went on, brilliantly or
not at aIl, according to her sweet will.
She learned to read with extraordinary
rapiditY, for she was eager to know
more Of that great world Of which the
Duke had told her such thrilling tales
Writing she abhorred. She had no
one to write to. Why should she
cramp, her fingers over these crooked
little marks? But she mastered with
hardly struggle the mysteries Of fig
ures, for she would have to sell her
cattle, and dad doesn't know when
they are cheating" Her ideas Of edu-
cation were purely utilitarian, and
what did not appear Immediately use
full she refused to trifle with. And so
all through the following long winter
she vexed my righteous soul with her
willfulness and pride An appeal to
her father was idle. She would wind
her long, thin arms about his neck
and let her waving red hair float over
him until the old man was quite help
less to exert authority. The Duke
could do most with her. To please
him she would struggle with her crook
ed letters for an hour at time, but
even his influence and authority had
its limits.
Must I?' she said one day In an
swer to a demand Of his for more
faithful study; must I" And,
throwing up her proud little head and
shaking back with trick she had
her streaming red hair, she looked
straight at him from her blue gray
eyes and asked the monosyllabic ques-
ton, ..WhyT And the Duke looked
back at her, with his slight smile for
q few moments and then said in cold.
even tones:
81 really don't know why" and
turned his back on her. Immediately
she sprang at him, shook him by the
arm and. quivering with passion. cried:
"You are not to speak to me like that.
and you are not to turn your back
that way"
What a little princess 1t is," he said
admiringly, "and what time she will
give herself some day" Then he added,
smiling sadly: "Was I rude, Gwen?
Then am sorry" Her rage was gone,
and she looked as If she could have
held him by the feet. AS 1t was, too
proud to show her feelings. she just
looked at him with softening eyes. and
then sat down to the work she had
refused. This was after the advent OF
the Pilot at Swan Creek, and, as the
Duke rode home with me that night.
after long musing he said with hesita-
ton: l"She ought to have some re.
ligion, poor child; she will grow up
perfect little devil. The Pilot might
be Of service If you could bring him
up. Women need that sort OF thing.
1t reflnes, you know"
would she have him." asked.
Question" he replied doubtfully.
"You might suggest It,"
Which did, introducing somewhat
clumsily, fear. the Dukes name.
"The Duke says he is to make me
good!' she cried. II won't have him.
I hate him. and you too!' And for
that day she disdained all lessons. and
when the Duke next appeared she
greeted him with the exclamation. ~
Wont have your Old Pilot. and don't
want to be good, ard-and-you think
he's no good yourself" at which the
Duke opened his eyes.
"How do you know? never said
so!'
"You laughed at him to dad one
day"
did IT said the Duke gravely.
"Then I hasten to assure you that |
have changed my mind. He is a good.
brave man."
"He falls off his horse" she said,
with contempt.
81 rather think he sticks on now"
replied the Duke, depressing smile.
Besides" she went on. "hes just a
kid. Bill said So"
"Well. he might be more ancient"
acknowledged the Duke, "but in that
he Is steadily improving"
Anyway" with an air Of finality.
'he is not to come here"
But he did come. and under her own
escort. one threatening August even
ing.
"I found him in the creek" she an
nounced with defiant shamefacedness.
marching in the Pilot half drowned.
81 think could have crossed" he
said apologetically. 'for Louis was &c
ting on his teet again"
mo. you wouldn't" she protested.
"You would have been down into th
canyon by now. and you ought to be
thankful"
$50 l an,." he hastened to say. "very.
But" he added. unwilling to give up
his contention. Il have crossed the
Swan before"
Not when it was in flood"
"Yes; when ii was In flood. higher
than now"
Not where the banks are rocky.
"Eo-o!' he heSitated.
,tThere, then; you would have been
drowned but for my lariat! she cried
triumphantly.
To this he doubtfully assented.
They were much alike, in high tenn