Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-12-06
lsl, By D. Appissoa : Co., New xort.
CHAPTER XIV.
THREE LOVERS COME TO THE
TOWER.

THREE LOVERS COME TO THE
TOWER.
TYHE Countess Anne was seated
in q chair at table at the
other side Of the room with
In the oriel window. She
was dressed just as she had been when
she left the dining-room few mo-
ments before. She sat with her back
toward him and with her face buried
In her hands. He could see BY the
trembling OF her shoulders that she
was weeping. He had made no sound
as he entered and she did not look up.
He stood for an instant watching her,
his heart in his gaze. Time meant lib
erty-nay. life-to him, yet II the sword
had been at his throat he could not
have refrained from that moment Of
contemplation.
How exquisite was her beauty, that
wandering lock OF hair curling so ten
derly about her neck! How he longed
to kiss It! He moved step nearer to
her. involuntarily stretching out his
hands toward her. At the same mo-
ment she lifted her head and looked
out into the night through the window
In the direction OF Canada.
philip, Sir Philip" she whispered
pitifully. $50 far away"
He took a step nearer. II was pain
s..ff,- .ktp ~,,{khfn ha r0apn parho nc
she heard the beating Of his heart, for
she slowly turned her head and stared
at him. He stood before her eyes as
II rooted to the spot.
Philip" she murmured softly,
doubling her senses, rs 1t a dream
Am q child again, that you stand
here In the old room. in the old tower
where first, you loved me. where first
your lips met mine? Philip"
She rose to her feet and turned
toward him. He could not move, she
fascinated him. ''Philip!" she cried
again. her voice rising in Joy and fer
vor mingled, els II indeed you? / LETT
you in Quebec. How came you here?"
She tottered toward him in lovely
bewilderment, but her strength had
been so sorely taxed that 1t now gave
way-she swayed unsteadily and
would have fallen. Another step took
him to her side. He clasped her to his
breast, strained her to his heart so
tightly that he hurt her as he covered
her surprised face with kisses. She
sank into his arms. Her head fell up
ON his shoulder. He felt the sinuous.
supple yield of her slender body as her
hands met around his neck, For the
moment neither spoke. Presently he
turned her lovely face up to his own
again. He looked into her eyes once
more. Not the blackness of the night
outside the dark tower was so deep
and full as they.
20 Philip" she whispered, return
ing kiss for kiss. 'You have come back
to me- Thank God, you have come
back to me-"
"Yet you left me in America. Anne.
You left me without a word! How
could you?"
my letter? Did you not receive it,"
cay, but not q word from your lips.
You left me alone, i'll, helpless. But
there-I will not reproach you. fol-
lowed you; I would have followed you
to the end Of the earth. Did you NOT
know It? Did you not dream that ]
should be here?"
She nodded her head.
81 looked for you, waited for you,
I knew you would come, my own!" she
murmured. laying her cheek upon his
shoulder again with long sigh Of ut
ter content.
He was here, he was hers, she was
his, he held her close In his strong
arms-what more? His clasp was so
tight, he crushed her so against his
breast, that the diamond cross she
wore was pressed deep into her tender
bosom. What mattered It? The pain
was sweet to her, twas loves brand.
He would never release her now. She
was his only. The weary days Of wait
ing, the long voyage over the stormy
seas, the plans of her grandfather, the
hopes Of de Vitre-they were forgotten.
Honor, faith, obedience-he had con-
quered.
yours, yours only, Philip, my dar-
ling-yours, yours, yours only" she