Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-01-31
"Re blessed for the good tidings,"

BE blessed for the good tidings," I
interrupted.
Thanks. I was going to say 1t ac-
cuses me. Louison Is q proud girl;
she must never know. She can never
know unless"
you tell her." said I, quickly. "Anu
of course you will"
'What do you mean?" she asked.
"That every secret that must not
be told is the same as published If
if"
eff what?"
Tf-if it tells a pretty story with
some love in It," said, with quick
sense of caution. "Ah, ma'm'selle, do
l not know what has made your lips
so red?"
"What may it be-"
"The attrition Of many secrets
burning secrets" I said, laughing.
"Mordieu! what charming impu-
dence!" she said, her large eyes glow
ing thoughtfully, with some look or
surprise. "You do not know me,
m'sieur. have kept many secrets and
know the trick"
"Ah, then I shall ask Of you great
favor" said I-"that you keep my Sc
cret also, that you do not tell her OF
my love-" s.
She wheeled her horse with a merry
peal of laughter, hiding her face. now
red as her glove.
ut is too late" said she. 81 have
written her"
We rode on, laughing. In spite OF
the serious character of her words, l
fell a-quaking from crown to stirrup.
was now engaged to Louison, or as
good as that, and, being man OF
honor, / must think no more OF her
sister.
'T wrote her of your confession" !"
said she, "for ! knew it would make
her so happy; but, you know, l did nos
tell of-of the circumstances"
"Well, it will make 1t all the easier
for me-" I said. "Ma'm'selle, / assure
you'll am not sorry"
"And, my friend, you are lucky: she
is so magnificent"
"Her face will be study when /
tell her."
'The splendor of it," said she.
"And the SURPRISE" added, laugh.
ing.
"Ah, m'sieur, she will play her part
we'll. She is clever. That moment
when the true love comes and claims
her 1t is the sweetest in wonan's
life"
A thought came flying through my
brain with the sting Of an arrow.
"She must not be deceived. / have
not any noble blood in me. l am only
the son of soldier-farmer and have
my fortune to make" said l, quickly.
"That is only little folly" she an
swered, laughing. whether you be
rich or poor, prince or peasant, she
cares not snap of her finger. Ciel!
is she not republican, has she not
money enough?"E
Nevertheless, beg you to say, In
your letter, that have nothing but my
word and my honor"
AS we rode along noted in my book
the place and time we were to meet
the captives. The marquis Joined us
at the Hermitage, where a stable-boy
watered our horses. Three servants
were still there, the others being now
in the counts service.
If any place give me days happi-
ness it is dear to me, and the where
l find love is forever sacred. like to
stand where I stood thinking of 1t, and
there / see that those dear moments
are as much part Of me as OF history.
So while Therese and the marquis got
off their horses for little parley with
the gardener, I cantered up the north
trail to where I sat awhile that de-
lightful summer day with Louise. The
grotto had now lattice roofing of bare
branches. Leaves, as red as her blush,
as golden as my memories, came rat
tling through it, falling with a faint
rustic. The big woods were as a
gloomy and deserted mansion, with the
lonely cry of the wind above and
ghostly rustic within where had been
love and song and laughter and all de-
light.