Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-12-03
ian 81 am not of that number.

of a decent meal tonight" He rang thu
bell. A frightened maid servant an
swered it. Bring me something hot,
grumbled Vincent, land a bottle Of
wine. The cook has evidently forgot.
ten the hour"
"Oh, sir, Mrs. Hawkstone"-
Deuce take you! Yes, I know-al
the same, produce the provender!"
Vincent was no favorite at Tempest
Hall; indeed, all the island people fear.
ed and disliked him. The maid fled
and returned directly with a bowl oi
bouillon half a roasted fowl and the
wine. The young fellow had Just
settled himself to comfortable repas,
when the brass knocker changed loudly
Ten thousand fiends! who Is coming
TO interrupt me now?" he muttered.
The drawing room door flew open
and a smart French maid entered
bearing a child in her arms. Close on
her heels followed lady in travelling
garb petite, blonde, beautiful. A griz-
bled boatman brought up the rear, his
arms overfowing with bags and wraps
and parcels manifold.
"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" the petite lady
was piping, in shrill treble, as she
came flashing across the threshold af-
ter the maid. "Is this the place? Dis
NAL as the grave! The desert island
Of Robinson Crusoe! Are you sure,
boatman, that you have all She bags
Let some Of the servants here help you
with the trunks. Very sorry that we
brought SO many, for It is quite evident
we SHALL not remain long in this howl
ing wilderness"
The boatman beat retreat. and
Vincent arose to meet the invaders, in
wonder and disgust.
WHO are you?" demanded the little
blonde lady.
my name Is Vincent Hawkstone," he
secretly wishing her in the
Red Sea.
She gave him a quick, penetrating
glance. She was a fairy-like creature,
delicate as a flower and, as 1t seemed
to Vincent, not more than sixteen.
Indeed" she answered. II have
heard Basil speak Of you. You are the
scapegrace of the family, are you not?
Oh this is so outre, so horrid! Where
Is my husband? Why Is he not here
to meet me?"
Vincent gave an unpleasant start.
Your husband madam? Who is he?"
She surveyed him with two large,
surprised eyes. like fringed gentlans.
Don't you know? am Basil Hawk
stones wife, and this is his daughter" J"
with a nod to the child, who was kick-
Ing and screaming In the French maids
arms. How blank you look! Can't
you understand? Basil and made q
secret marriage in London-at least,
he has kept 1t secret, hear-a genuine
love match, sentimental people would
call It. Oh, I am quite wearied to
DEATH" tossing off her hat and wraps
Where is Basil? He was
in such haste to reach his mother that
he started in advance, you see. and left
me to follow with all these incum-
brances."
1t was a staggering blow. Basil
married. and a daughter! But daugh-
ters, after all, did not count. He was
still his cousins male heir.
II always said Basil was SLY dog, +"
he managed to stammer. "As for his
taste, it Is excellent. But let me tell
you, Mrs. Hawkstone, you've upset all
the family plans by this coup de mai
tre' My aunt had a wife selected here
for Basil. It's certain there would
have been no end Of row II you had
earlier at the island. Luck
lily for you, she Is now dead, and Basil
don't. know, I'm sure. where he can
be. He ought to introduce you to the
household, Of course. I'll ring"
He rang accordingly. and the servant
who answered the bell said that Mr..
was not In the house. He
had gone out full half-hour, whittier
knew.
"Ill find him," volunteered Vincent;
and he rushed from the room and be-
gan to search everywhere for his cous-
in. All that he discovered was Jetta
Ravenel, lying In heap on the floor
Of the stone porch. He snatched her
up, needless Of her tear-stained face,
and drew her into the hall.
you've lost your future husband: "
he cried, exultantly. Heaven be prais-
ed! the match Is off! Now. perhaps,
you'll take up with me, eh? Come In
and make the acquaintance Of Baslrs
wife and daughter. She's pretty as
pink. by Jove! but rank plebetan, l
out Of the gutter for
her beauty. It's we'll for her that my
aunt Is dead. Pray, come in" and he
drew the dumbfounded girl straight in
to the drawing room, and with mali
cious triumph presented her to Basil
wife.
The latter, divested Of her wraps, and
with all her exceedingly blonde beauty
fully revealed. had seated herself to
the soup and chicken left by Vincent
and was attacking both with great
relish. She stopped long enough to
stare at Jetta and nod coldly.
Basil has disappeared" announced
Vincent; "he can't be found"
How strange and how provoking"
she frowned. We'll, ring for more
chicken, Cousin Vincent, and some
palatahle kind Of sweets. I adore
sweets. 1 adore sweets of the French
sort. We have just come from Paris
you know. And order the servants 10
prepare our rooms, and take away
these traps, and make us comfortable
generally Is this girl one Of the house.
hold?" with a hostile glance at Jetta.
Yes" replied Vincent, airily, shes
the young person that you have super
seded here, whose matrimonial pros
poets you have annihilated, you know
He rang the bell, and gave her orders
with wicked glee. shall pour you