Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-07-23

bereft Of his senses. He mumbled a
few incoherent words. Esther simply
inclined her handsome head in silence,
and Philip wye, needing neither, turn
ed to his brother and put a hand on
Gilbert's shoulder.
| "Well. what does all this mean?"
he said. impatiently. Surely, Gilbert,
you did not leave your herds and
ranges for no other purpose than to
give US this surprise?"
True" replied the other, Il heard
Of Mignon's engagement to this gen.
J tleman," nodding toward Shirlaw, land
started east to make his acquaint-
ance"
"Mignon engaged" Philip wye turn
ed like lightning on his niece, gave
Shirlaw a piercing, unpleasant look,
then smiled. "Ah, Mignon is a sly
puss, and the captain, 1 acknowledge,
has stolen a march on me! Very
we'll. l forgive them both, of course.
Quite right, Elinor," as Mrs. wye
swept up to Mignon and kissed her.
Is the matter settled?"
Gilbert wye looked at his daughters
lover.
IF Captain Shirlaw should be at
leisure in the morning." he said, polite
ly. Il beg permission to talk with
him in private"
II am at your service at any hour
you may name" said Shirlaw.
Elinor wye had drawn Esther down
TO seat, and was taking off her
wraps.
The grand, white creature sat voice
less and statue-like in the midst of the
company. Shirlaw tried to look away
from her, but could not. He was GER
tainly losing his wits. At last he
managed to whisper to Mignon:
"You must have had great deal to
say to your father, Of course. He has
the right to monopolize you tonight.
I am de trop here"
And he made hasty exit. Down to
the landing he went, jumped into
skiff and started for the opposite riv-
er bank. Half way across the current
he bent suddenly and dashed q hand |
full Of the cold water to his forehead. |
II must be going mad!" he said to
himself.
He found Abel Lispenard pacing his
terrace in the gathering gloom, with
half dozen hounds at his heels-a
square, powerful figure, absorbed In
deep thought and looking odd and un-
canny enough in that uncertain light.
At sight of Shirlaw the dwarf paused.
Good heaven! You look as though
you had lost your wits, Victor!" he
cried. Shirlaw tried to laugh.
Perhaps I have. Don't mind me. /
bring you news, old man. Gilbert WYE
has arrived at Rookwood."
"Ah!"
"And brought with him another
daughter-the child Of a first marriage. |
1t seems that the man has had two
wives"
Lispenard's pale, dark face remained
perfectly impassive.
WELL" he said, simply. "what is Gill
bert wye like?"
I'""When you meet him you will doubt
less be impressed with his fine ply
sique and good breeding"
Then he has preserved the habits
Of civilized society, in spite Of his long
sojourn with the cowboys and half
corrupted his good manners, eh?"
mo. One might say that he has
preserved them to a wonderful degree"
answered Shirlaw, dryly. II am to go
over there in the morning, to be prop |
erly examined by his majesty regard |
ing my merits as a prospective SON.
in law. Don't look at me like that,
Lispenard. l have received a curious
shock. you see-some strange, l may
say, Internal delusions have got pos
session of me tonight; but" with
ghastly smile, they will be gone by
morning"
"Delusions-concernin Gilbert Vye"
"Yes, by Jove! yes. He reminds me
of a-a-person that I once encounter
ed in the west under abominably un-
pleasant circumstances, but 1 cannot
speak Of it, even to you"
And the daughter" said Lispen-
ard.
A strange look appeared on Shir-
laws handsome, careless face.
mo words of mine can describe the
daughter!" he answered, in a low
voice,
Meanwhile, in the Rookwood draw
ing room Esther wye arose from ''e
midst of her new-found kindred TN
said to Aunt Elinor:
May l asked to be shown to my
room?"
The chamber recently vacated )y
Maud LOTUS was assigned to ne".
Mignon followed her thither.
Strange that papa never told us OF
each other!" purred the latter, sweet
ly, "and all my life have longed SO
much for a sister! Dearest Esther,
shall be very, very proud to present
you to our Dale friends"
The island girl stood in the charm
ing room as insensible to its luxury as
though she had been. at Porgy Light.
do not present me to anybody she
answered, in a stifed voice; do not
let It be known that l am here"
Mignon stared and smiled.
"Oh, but l must! We could not con-
ceal you if we would, and we would
not If We could. Why, you have the
beauty of a C1eopatra-you were new
er born for seclusion. A kind Provi- |
dence surely sent you to fill the vacuum
made by schoolmate Of mine who
lately occupied this room, but was
suddenly called to Canada by the
death of relative. All, is it not de-
lightful that papa has come from the
west at last? OF course, he Is even
more of a stranger to you than to me.
We are both motherless and both have
lived l suspect, lonely lives. 1 am
sure that, like myself, you have long
ed unspeakably for papa"