Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-09-20
CHAPTER XXVII-Continued.


"stopw Lydia cried. "Don't, don't!
can't bear any more. II am only a
woman, George. I'm only a girl who
is being pulled and dragged by others.
Father begged me to permit this en-
tertainment to accept Mrs. Dunleigh's
invitation. refused at first, George;
on my honor I did, but father is in a
critical condition. The doctor told me
not to worry him in the slightest, and
he had set his heart on this affair to-
night. The poor man loves such
things with all his soul, and he thinks
Governor Telfare a great man. He
actually broke down and cried when
refused; it was pitiful to see his old
gray head shaking with sobs over what
he considered base ingratitude. Be-
sides, Kitty was included In the In
vitation. She Is my guest, and any
natural girl would like to go to such
an affair, and mamma urged 1t. Oh,
George, do pity me. Don't-don't think
I'm like the rest of the world, for I'm
not. hunger for better things, higher
things, but in this case I really don't
know what to do"
"Then"-he took deep breath, as II
trying to fortify himself against q
coming blow-"then you are engaged
to Telfare"
mo; am not, George. Don't-don't
question me 80 closely. I am not hap
py. r.
"But he looks upon this affair to-
night as favorable to his suit. Is that
not true"
HE may, George, but I really don't
know what to do"
Buckley was as pale as corpse. he
brushed his brow with quivering
hand.
"God knows I have nothing to offer
you" he said in q low tone. "And it
was wrong for me to thrust myself on
you as I have done tonight. Your
friends will laugh at me for my des-
peration, but I don't care. Goodby.
shall never trouble you again"
"Oh, George''-but he had turned and
was walking away in the darkness.
She stifled a groan Of pain, and then
went into the house. She saw her
mother and Mrs. Dunleigh In the draw
Ing room under the prismatic chande-
her in close conversation, but she pass
ed on and ascended the stairs to the
room assigned to herself and Kitty.
The latter was unfastening her hair
before pier glass and came forward
her hands extended.
Don't let it worry you, dear" she
said simply.
Lydia made no reply, sinking, pale
and miserable, into q chair and cover.
ing her face with her hands.
II say, don't let it worry you," said
Miss Cosby. But the whole thing
makes me fighting mad"
Mad" said Lydia, looking up al.
most hopefully at the unexpected out
burst.
Eyes, mad" said Kitty. "Why should
that young god Of man be kicked and
sneered at by our world, forced to
sneak around behind rosebushes mere.
II to see the idol of his dreams step
into her carriage, while half bald.
sallow faced creature receives her un'
der palm trees, in the glare Of electric
lights, in the perfume Of costly flow
ers and amid the plaudits Of a squirm-
ing, low necked, white shirted mass
of hero worshipers-hero worshipers,
indeed! when George Buckley, the
kind Of hero we know, is left out In the
cold?"
"Oh, Kitty, you are darlingH The
color was running into Lydia's wan
face. Her eyes were cleaning as they
had not cleaned that night. "But pa
pa? What about him? What would
you do about him.?
"What would I do about him? I'd
make him change his pills. I don't
think he has any more heart disease
than have, and mine fops as regular
as a clock, except when George Buck
ley comes near, with those big, dreamy
eyes of his. Lydia Cranston, l told
your mother wasn't going to influence
you either way, but If George Buckley
wanted me like he wants you he could
have me at the drop Of a hat. God
doesn't bring up real men In velvet
lined cradles; he simply gives them the
chance to bring themselves up. l know
where you stand tonight, Lydia. Sc
cure In the Joy Of George Buckley's
love, you are drifting away from 1t.
You are In danger, my girl-in danger
Of losing the very thing you treasure
above all else. You think you can obey
your parents and always retain George
Buckley's love, but as sure as fate,
while you are now all woman could
be in bis sight, If you degraded your
self by marrying Telfare he would
gradually cease to love you and would
transfer his giant heart to some other
woman. I'd hate to be second choice
but, as God is my Judge, I'd like a
chance to make that man thoroughly
happy. What do I care about his fam
lily? Napoleon said he was the first OF
his name, and George Buckley may be
the first Of his"
Lydia looked up sharply and fixed
steady glance OH the face of her friend
"You are actually in love with him.
she said. "What rightT'- She sud
denly covered her face.
"Oh. don't be goose" Kitty said
"We've got work to do before we &c
to bed. Your mother and Mrs. Dun
leigh are now rolling delightful NOR
sci OF gossip under their tongues.
can hear their mumbling voices.