Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-07-26

rode 1urlOuSly, tlreleSSly ana ueStruc-
tively-to horse flesh. Some demon
seemed to possess the man at times,
and it could only be appeased by night
flights. Mignon he regarded with the
tenderest devotion, but to his elder
daughter, solitary, unhappy, pining,
like q prisoned hawk in her new abode,
he paid not the smallest heed.
And Esther? The Dale people caught
but few glimpses Of her. She avoided
strangers-went nowhere-was rarely
seen in the drawing room Of Rookwood
dressed always in deep black-wore
always the same frozen, statuesque
look. Handsome she certainly was, but
utterly unapproachable. Society at
the Dale stared, wondered and finally
shivered. She was tragic, mysterious,
but too oppressive-even Mignon found
her to be that. She made small prog
ress toward intimacy with this new
found sister. Esther repelled all her
gentle advances. quietly, but firmly.
At last Mignon. piqued, wearied, re-
linquished her efforts, and left the
strange, dark beauty to herself.
One night, after returning from a
luxurious dinner at the Berkely Man
sion, Gilbert WYE set forth on one Of
his late rides, and Mignon with him.
Let us take a gallop together" he
said; "such as we used to have in the
old days at the ranch"
She assented, well pleased. Without
a word to any one they set forth.
II hope l may not drive Philip dis
tracted with my eccentricities," said
Gilbert wye. as the two dashed away
from Rookwood. HE Is a SLY, artful
fox. He watches mel also watch
him. We never loved each other over
much. He declares" with a low, wick
ed laugh, that have already ruined
every horse in his stable. Well, let
him furnish me with better ones. 1
left behind me in Pueblo beast that
will go from sunset to sun-up and
never show a sign Of fatigue"
"Oh, papa" said Mignon, lightly, Il
hope you are not in the habit Of rid
ing from sunset to sunrise-that would
be reversing the order Of things with
a vengeance"
He laughed again.
Never mind. That was slip OF
the tongue, my darling. Ny head Is
getting confused, L think, with all the
cursed nonsense Of this place. I shall
not be able to stand it much longer
He threw back his head and drew In
long draughts Of the cool night air.
"Over there-at that pompous bankers
Just now-I. was strongly tempted to
upset their grand dinner table, and
then beat together the silly, empty
heads of all the chattering company"
"Papa!" cried Mignon, aghast, Il
fear you are not what is called a So
ciety man."
THAT am not" he answered, dryly.
Their balls and high teas and general
twaddle may do for girl like you, or
a person Of your uncle Philips type
but I must have wider range-there
is something in eastern air that does
not agree with me, I find"
It was an eerie autumn night, with
ragged clouds blowing across the face
of a full moon, and dead leaves Whirl-
ing in showers from the wayside trees.
The river ran dark and silent betwixt
its banks. Father and daughter gal
loped on side by side-the latter as
much at home in the saddle-as tire
less and as fearless, too, as the for
mer.
With rattling hoofs they crossed
gray bridges; flew, like swallows
along straight white roads, where
chance travellers turned to look at
them in wonder-down broad avenues,
under archways of half f-denuded trees
by banks Of frost bitten reeds, through
drowsy towns and villages, always
with that pallid. moon racing at equal
pace overhead, and the strong wind in
their faces, and the rustling leaves
and whirling shadows under their feet.
Mignon turned her beautiful face, at
last, to her father-the wind-bloWn
hair swept around 1t In golden DRIFT
the eyes looked misty, the red lips
dropped.
And So" she said, revertlng, timid-
ly, to the subject that always seemed
nearest her heart, "you will not take
me back, dear papa, to my old homeF
NO" he answered.: but when
have made a little more money, pet, L
will return east, perhaps. and live my
last days with you"
AT least. tell me something about
the ranch, papa-you have told me so
little thus far, you know. Is anything
changed there?"
"No-nothing"
"Often in dreams l see the stars over
the crest of the Snowy Range and
smell the sage brush. Tell me, are the
ranchman that used to know still at
Happy Valley. and does old Melita yet
rule the kitchen?"
"Yes, yes. but hush. pet! Let us not
talk of the ranch tonight. I have a
proposal to make to you. Would you
be content to leave your lover and our
Rookwood kin for few days, Mignon'
and go away with me?"
go away. papa-where?"
"Well, let us say to New York. Here
at Rookwood l do not have you to my
self for a moment. l am sadly jealous
of that fellow Shirlaw, because he alb
serbs your entire leisure. Let us run
off by ourselves on a little holiday,
Mignon-it may be the last we shall
ever have together. / will not keep
YOU from Rookwood longer than
fortnight
She patted Ranchero's back name,
gayly
II shall be delighted, papa! Leave
Victor-leave Rookwood? Indeed, L
will! And l have never visited New
York you know. 1t Is just lovely or
you to think of 1t! OF course, you
do not care to be dined and petted and
lionized by our good Dale people, but
you are a wye, and you will have 10
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