Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-08-16
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
E1AJoR CRANSTON lived in a,
M old fashioned, roomy house a.
III III the end Of the widest and long
est street barley afforded. Tht
exterior Of the house was not very at
tractlve, though it stood on a spacious
we'll kept lawn, but 1t was equipped
throughout with fine old furniture the
Cranstons had brought from Virginia
There were rare pieces Of solid ma
hogany in the big parlor, a piano which
was relic of the days Of Washington
and sofas and chairs quite as ancient
in appearance. On the white plastered
walls hung family portraits in massive
gilt frames.
It was one Sunday night about the
middle Of November. Lydia had retired
to her room and the major was reading
a newspaper in the lamplight before q
cheerful fire in the sitting room when
Mrs. Cranston came in from the parlor
"Well, you may be satisfied, Major
Cranston," she said, "but I'm not"
"Oh, you are not! What's wrong
now" He put his paper down and
looked up at her inquiringly.
"Well, I don't like the way Lydia is
doing at ALL" replied the lady.
"What's she done now?" The major
spoke with just little irritation, for
he was interested in the political news
he had been reading.
"She hasn't done anything-that's the
trouble" answered Mrs. Cranston. III
she only would do and be like she was
in Richmond l wouldn't care, but she's
as different as can be-"
"Why, I'm sure the child seems well
enough to me-" grumbled the major.
"Well enough?, She's the picture Of
health. But are you blind? Can't you
see an inch before your nose? Don't
you remember how she cried when we
moved away from Richmond, and all
the visits she promised Kitty Cosby and
the other girls back there? Then you
remember how she mOped about the
first month down here, and the fun she
made Of this place and the people. But
now look at her. Shes tickled to death
over everything here. What do you
think 1t means, sir?''
"Oh, she was sick and tired Of that
silly social set up there" said the ma
jor, "and this simple, healthy life here
in the mountains agrees with her, as 1t
has with ME and you. l never knew
what a good appetite or a pleasant
nights sleep was till r.
"Oh, do dry upw Mrs. Cranston sat
down by him. You are rs blind as a
bat. Don't you know Lydia never was
that way till George Buckley got to
coming here and bringing her books
and papers and going out with her."
"Stopw Cranston's brow was clouded
over. Don't insult your own child"
He stood up, his short legs quivering
with excitement. "Do you think I'd
let that man come here-he, son Of
convicted thief-if l dreamed-why,
I'd shoot the top Of his head off If he
dared-oh!"
"There Is no use waking up the serv-
ants out in the yard" said Mrs. Gran
ston In q tone modulated to that she
wanted him to use. "We don't want
any bloodshed: what we want Is COM
mon sense. Id,n't think there is much
danger so far. Girls will often allow
themselves to enjoy the admiration OF
men they would not dream Of marry
fng, and Lydia has too much family
pride to think of encouraging him to
any serious extent, but 1t Is well to
take time by the forelock. l was
against letting him come here at all,
you know. but you said it would shock
the religious folks In the place for US
to try to establish social lines when
he stood so well, and"-
"Pll send her off tomorrow" cried
the major still excited. his voice rising
high and cracking.
No, you won't unless you really
want to drive her the wrong way
said Mrs. Cranston. "Tve seen many
unhappy, mismated marriages made
through that stupid course, and I've
always said I'd act differently If 1t
came to me. Lydia would get as head
strong as bull If we showed her that
we were trying to drive her, and oppo-
sition naturally makes a girl think
more Of a man who Is unfortunate.
No, we must simply 60 on as If we
never imagined she could bemean US
by marrying a man Of that kind. She's
not a fool; she may admire George
Buckley and be sorry for him in bis
trouble, but she'll think several times
before she marries him If we simply
20 on as If we are trusting her to pro-
tect our family name"
The major sat down. ~ guess you
are right" he said more calmly, "and
I'm not really afraid when I think
about her pride and all she has In her
favor. Why. she could take her pick
of the whole country. Governor Tel
fare is simply crazy about her an has
plenty Of money. Do you suppose
Lydia-or any girl, as for that-could
resist the temptation to be the mistress
of the executive mansion on Peachtree
street and lead the society Of Atlanta
to marry a penniless bookkeeper in a
grain warehouse and the son of
Shucks, If she had it in her, I'd disown
herr
"Oh. she's all right" smiled Mrs.
Cranston, as If he had forced the alb