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

the deVilS own temper. quite Dy dc-
cident, learned Of the sale Of your
ranch to an English capitalist. 1 have
mentioned the matter to no one, being
confident that you would explain ev-
erything satisfactorily in your own
time"
Gilbert WYE looked half relieved, half
suspicious.
Greatly obliged, I'm sure. 1 fell
into money embarrassments, and was
forced to part with the ranch. 1t was
Mignon's birthplace-she had foolish
fondness for it, 50 could not tell her,
you see."
Yes, l see. You chose to deceive
us all instead. Quite proper, l dare
say. Where and how have you been
living, Gilbert. since you left Happy
Valley?"
Upon a new range, wider far and
richer than the other. Come!" with a
sudden burst of pent-up fury, what
prying fool has been meddling in my
affairs, Philip? If had him for few
minutes beyond the Mississippi, l
would teach him better manners"
Philip smiled warily.
Nobody has been prying-certainly
not! OF course, must, as your broth
er feel a keen interest in your well
fare. May / ask where your new range
is located?"
oh a.
tience and wrathful scorn.
Your knowledge of western geogra-
ply is necessarily limited, Philip. l
will find a map while I am at Rook-
wood and mark the boundaries Of my
possessions upon it." He took another
restless turn about the room. Il choke
i stifie," he cried, vehemently;
already feel my strength and cour-
age waning in this atmosphere. long
for a good horse and the free air Of the
Rockies again. Verify my place is
there, not here! AS for my daugh-
ters, Mignon's happiness seems assured,
but Esther-well, l do not know about
Esther. If l leave her with you, Phil
ip, you will find her the very deuce to
manage!"
II can believe that" replied Philip.
looking fixedly up at the old portrait
Of Judge wye. 1.-The blood Of her fish
ermother does not blend we'll with that
OF the Yves. Heaven save us! Gill
bert, what a race you have run in
your day, to be sure! You broke your
fathers heart, you squandered your
share of the family fortune, you flung
away all your golden chances Of sue
cess at the bar, you made the most
absurd marriages that a man was ever
guilty of-one wife was an ignorant
fisher-girl, the other the daughter of a
common ranchero-and you have be-
come the father Of two daughters
handsome enough" with an odd laugh.
ito make men forgive all the follies
and sins of their sire!"
Anything more?" chafed the cattle
king.
Yes, / dare say there is yet great
deal in the background. BY the way,
Gilbert, do you remember college
classmate of yours named Martina
rather insignificant, second-rate sort
Of fellow?"
81 have some faint remembrance Of
such a party" answered Gilbert wye,
coldly.
did you ever chance to encounter
him in the west? He has lately been
travelling there"
Their eyes met-wary, gray, steely,
inflexible, blue. The latter seemed to
say: You dare not press me too far!
We are brothers, and my disgrace
must, in a measure, be yours also"
Never" answered Gilbert Wye. 1T
is score of years, at least, since 1
last saw Martin"
The door opened and MignOn peeped
in.
Papa" she said, Esther is i'll. She
has tainted"
He drew her quickly up to him.
Never mind Esther-she will recov-
er sooner if left to herself. Tell me,
my darling if you really love this Cap
tain Shirlaw, to whom you have prom
ised yourself.
She colored under Philip Yves keen
gray look, but answered, firmly:
Yes. papa"
Then you shall have him." declared
Gilbert wye. with a sombre smile, land
| will HE back to my free ranges
again"
Surely you will take me with you,
papa?" she pleaded. You will not ask
me to longer endure separation from
you?"
A shadow crossed his face.
THE west is nc place for you now,
Mignon. Are you not happy here?"
Happy, parted from you, papa? No.
no."
You have your lover! he will COM
fort you"
She clasped her lovely arms around
his bronze neck.
papa. / will hold you here until you
consent! | will never, never let you
return to Colorado without me-"
Hush, my darling!" said Gilbert
WYE, sternly; you do not know what
YOU say. 1t was madness for me to
ccme east at all-no man ever did
more reckless thing; but my desire To
see you once more was too strong 70
reSist-so here / am. You are not 70
keep me at ROokwood, dear child
neither must you think for momeh-
of returning to Colorado, for it cannot
be-it cannot be-"
Something in his tone awed and
frightened her. She hid her fair face
on his breast.
"Oh. the dear old ranch!" she Sob
bed Am l never to see it again
papa the place where you and once
were so happy together"
Like a fox. Philip wye stood on the
hearth. watching father and daughter
drinking in every word they uttered
But the cattle king. never needing his
brother, clasped the girl suddenly tC
his heart. A dark remorse-a passion