Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-08-13

IHeTe! We SOl my uSdIh- " oi oii
Esther" she groaned. "It's only
mild shock, but I'm an old woman
it's easy to see that another will sool
follow. Now, first Of all, l must SEN
for your father, Jim Hart"
A message was dispatched to Gilber
wye, that very hour, but no respons
came to it. Then Aunt Deb said:
You must go to Rookwood, Esther
and bring him to mel"
"Oh, Aunt Deb" cried Esther, wild
ly, don't ask me to do that-any
thing but that"
Go to ookwood-encounter Victo
Shirlaw again? No, no she could not.
What l do must be done quickly,
urged Aunt Deb. MY time is short.
must see JIM must-I must! There
something on my mind. and it Is to b.
told to him, and him only"
Esther pondered.
II do not understand why he ha'
left our message unanswered; but
will soon know. Dare you stay alon
for an hour or so, Aunt Deb"
Yes" groaned the old woman.
Straightway Esther donned her QUITE
garments, tied a thick veil over tn
face, which was far too handsome t
pass unobserved in any place, and
closing the wooden gate behind her
walked rapidly off across the bridge t
the city proper.
She knew where to find Philip Vyei
law office. She had learned its location
during her stay at Rookwood. BY din
of brief inquiries, made exclusively t.
those of her own sex, she reached TIT
vicinity Of Pemberton Square ant
Court street. Here was a perfect mes
of law offices. She searched until sh'
discovered the names Of Philip wye &
Son; then she ascended flight o
stairs, opened a door and found hersel
in the presence of a young man will
a red mustache and an eyeglass, seat
er alone at a desk reading law papers
The girl flung back her veil, and asked
for Philip wye.
He Is in the inner office, busy will
a client" answered Cyril Wye. staring
hard at the wonderfully handsome
visitor. Pardon me-you are
II am his niece"
Cyril bounded up from the desk.
Then you must be the Esther tina
have heard of, but~never seen. Ha
ha! Pom my soul, they did not stretcf
the truth when they called you hand
some! Allow me to introduce myself
l am your cousin Cyril"
He extended his hand. She touched
1t reluctantly At the same moment TIT
door of the inner room opened, an(
Philip Wye stepped forth.
"Humph!" he said, in a dry, haro
voice, quite devoid of welcome. "Niec'
Esther! You left us very abruptly a
Rookwood, did you not? Your secre
leaked out after a time. Victor Shir
law made love to you, and frightened
you away. eh? You ought to be labeled
'Dangerousi'
She colored, then grew pale.
II wish to see my father" she said
trying hard to command her voice
Shall find him at Rookwood?"
The two men exchanged glances.
mo-" replied Philip wye, very cold
ly: your father left RoOkwood IL
great haste some days ago. He ha!
probably gone back to the wet"
The vest" echoed Esther, aghast
will he not return?'
Il think not-I am sure mott" dryly
"Never?"
Never"
Her face fell. So this was the rea
reason why her message had remained
unanswered.
my sister-is she well?" faltere'
Esther
"Mignon is we'll and happy" repliet
Philip wye, sharply. "She wears tn
willow with becoming resignation. Yo'
know, of course, that. because of you
Capt. Shirlaw Tilted your sister.
would invite you again to Rookwood
but your presence there would scarcel!
be welcome to Mignon now. A woman
can forgive everything but the rob
berry of her lover I hope your fathe
has provided for your future. Yo'
Ilook-pardon me-Somewhat shabby
Where are you living? What are yo1
doing? But never mind; you need no
tell me. l have assumed the RESPONSE
bility Of one of Gilbert's daughters
some second party must look out 70
the other. Farewell"
And he went back to the inner room
Full of Indignation. yet determine
t. carry to Aunt Deb some definit
clue to her fathers whereabouts. Es
ther turned to Cyril Wye, who had no
taken his eyes from her face.
II did not come here seeking eithe
charity or insults" she said. with
flash in her big eyes; but only to as
where my father can be found
Many others would like to knoN
lIldt very luillS, ISpiiSu Nsi'f N''
Indeed. l may say that scores of peo
pie are burning to find him. Appar
emily YOU know about as much con
cerning your father as does Mignor
oh. this is unique! Two daughter
kept in the same blisSful ignorance
two girls. reared apart, but in hk
fashion. Ia, ia! His favorite ad
dress, and the only one to which l ca
direct you. is Happy Valley Rancl
Colorado" and he laughed extensively
Esther had never met a more disa
greeable person.
Happy Valley Ranch" she echoed
regarding him with ill-concealed aver
sion: lis that the real name OF nj
western home?"
THE real name? Oh, of course!-
most certainly" with another strang
Outbreak of mirth.
Il know very little about the west
said Esther. striving hard to kee
down her Indignation. "Will you b
more definite? Will you tell me tn
exact location of the place you men
tiOn?"
"Of courSe-Of course." He seized
hoe nla, 20