Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-12-15
were gone for the past week?'

were gone for the past week?
important business" he answered
soberly.
"Business-I expect" she cried
Look here Ben Cameron, have you
another girl somewhere. you're flirting
WITH"
Yes. he answered, slowly, coming
closer and his voice dropping to a
whisper land her name is Death"
why, Benz" Marion gasped, placing
her trembling hand unconsciously on
his arm. a faint flush mantling her
cheek and leaving 1t white.
What do you mean?" asked the
mother In low tones.
Nothing that I can explain. only
wish to warn you both never to ask
me such questions before any one"
Forgive me-" said Marion, with a
tremor. II didn't think 1t serious"
Ben pressed the little warm hand,
watching her mouth CULVER with a
smile that was half a sigh, as he an
swered:
"You know I'd trust either Of you
with my life. but I can't be too care
full"
We'll remember Sir Knight" said
the mother. Don't forget, then, to-
morrow-and spend the evening with
us. I wish had one of Marion's new
dresses done. Poor child, she has new
er had a decent dress in her life be-
fore. You know / never look at my
nretty baby grown to such a beauti-
'ul womanhood without hearing Henry
say over and over again-'Beauty is a
sign Of the soul-the body Is the
youln"
well, I've my doubts about your
improving her with a fine Dress" he
replied. thoughtfully 81 don't believe
that more beautifully dressed women
ever walked the earth than our girls
If the south who came out of the war
clad in the pathos Of poverty, smiling
brave!y through the shadows, bearing
themselves as queens though they
wore the dress of the shepherdess."
"Pm almost tempted to kiss you for
that, as you once took advantage of
me! said Marion with enthusiasm.
The moon had risen and whippoor-
will was chanting his wierd song on
the lawn as Ben left them leaning on
the gate.
It was past midnight before they fin-
ished the last touches in restoring their
nest to it's old homelike appearance
and sat down happy and tired in the
room in which Marion was born,
Nrooding and dreaming and talking
over the future.
The mother was hanging on the
words OF her daughter. all the haff1ed
love Of the dead poet husband. her
eriefs aid poverty consumed In the
glowing Joy Of new hopes. Her love
FOR this child was now a triumphant
nassion. which had melted her own
being into the object of worship, until
the soul of the daughter was super
imposed on the mothers as the mag
"And you'll never keep a secret from
me, dear? she asked of Marion.
Never
"You1l tell me all your -affairs?'
she asked. softly. as she drew the shin
ing blonde head down on her shoulder.
Faithfully"
"You know I've been afraid some
times you were keeping something back
from me, deep down in your heart
and I'm jealous. You didn't refuse
Henry Grier because you loved Ben
Cameron-now, did you?"
The little head lay still before she an
swered:
How many times must 1 tell you,
Silly, that I've loved Ben since l can
remember, that l will always love him.
and when meet my fate, at last. shall
boast to my children of my sweet girl
romance with the Hero Of Piedmont,
and they shall laugh and cry with me
over it"
What's that?" whispered the moth
II. leaping to her feet.
Il heard nothing" Marion answer
ed. listening.
Il thought 1 heard footsteps on the
porch"
Maybe it's Ben, who decided to
come anyhow" said the girl.
But he'd knock!" whispered the
mother.
The door flew open with crash, and
four black brutes leaped into the room,
Gus in the lead, with revolver in his
hand, his yellow teeth grinning through
his thick lips.
Scream, now, an blow yer brains
out" he growled.
Blanched with horror, the mother
sprang before Marion with a shivering
cry:
What do you want?"
Not you," said Gus, closing the
blinds and handing a rope to another
brute. Tie de ole one ter de bedpost."
The mother screamed. A blow from
black fist in her mouth, and the rope
was tied.
With the strength of despair she
tore at the cords, half rising to her
feet, while with mortal anguish she
gasped:
For Gods sake, spare my baby! Do
as you will with me, and kill me-do
not touch her!"
Again the huge first swept her to the
floor
Marion staggered against the wall
her face white, her delicate lips tremb-
ling with the chill OF a fear colder than
death.
I'VE have no money-the deed has
not been delivered" she pleaded, a
sudden glimmer Of hope flashing In her
blue eyes.
Gus stepped closer, with an ugly
leer, his fiat nose dilated, his sinister
bead-eyes wide apart cleaning ape
like, as he laughed:
I'VE amt after money!"
The girl uttered a cry, long trem-
ulous, heart-rending, piteous.
A single tiger-spring, and the black
| claws of the beast sank into the soft