Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-15

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The angry blood leaped into my face
How dare you say such things II
me?" stormed. How dare you ever
speak to me? Years ago, at Hadham,
detested you above all living things
AS I look at you now the old feeling
returns, stronger than ever. Ugh!
YOU make me feel as II some unclear
reptile had touched me. Go your way
and II possible. spare me from ever
looking on your face again.
He grew perfectly livid.
you despise me, then?"
yes, with my whole heart"
"You hate me?"
yes; a thousand times. yes"
l had put on my grandest air. He
recoiled a step, but saw that he was
very angry.
l made a sign to Mason. She came
hurriedly toward US.
"Good-by, Esther" said Brother ST.
las, in a hoarse, suppressed voice; but
you will see me again"
Heaven Forbid" ] answered, angri-
ly.
He was gone the next moment across
the square.
Another year passed. On my nine
teenth birthday, left school thor
oughly accomplished" my partial
teachers said, land fit to adorn the
highest walks Of life"
And now," said Grandmother SOM
erset, you must make your debut IN
society. I have arranged everything
Your dress is ordered, the invitations
are already out. I am going to give
ball in your honor Don't open your
big eyes. Hallam Kirke Is just home
from Europe; we will ask him, also
my dear niece, Marcia. You shall have
one grand triumph, Esther"
She had grown very old and feeble In
the last year. but her love for Marcia
Johnsbury had not increased.
That same day, as was reading In
the embrasure Of a drawing room Win
dow, quite concealed by the heavy cur
tains. a servant, unconscious OF my
presence, ushered into the room two
visitors.
I heard the rustic Of a silken train
and through a little open in the lace
and damask saw a richly dressed
passe woman. with pale hair and a
high, aquiline nose, and gentleman
bronzed, bearded, looking darker and
older than when he bade me good-b by
on the shores Of Hadham Lake.
Miss Johnsbury and her betrothed
husband, Hallam Kirke!
Grandmother Somerset hobbled
quickly into the room. She knew that
I was behind the curtains, but one
glance showed her that all was safe
and she greeted her visitors in her own
peculiar fashion.
"Hallam, how bored. you look! That
is your usual expression when in Mar
cia's company My dear niece, sent
you a check yesterday for five hundred
dollars. l wish you to buy new dress
for my ball.
Miss Johnsbury looked hard at her
relative.
"In heavens name, Aunt Somerset
what possessed you at your time Of life
and with your infirmities, to think OF
giving a ball? 1t Is too absurd-every-
body is talking Of 1t. I can't think
what has come over you."
Aunt Somerset smiled serenely.
"T have a charming surprise in store
for all my dear friends, and particular
" for you, Marcia You see that am
falling fast. I cannot expect to live
many months, and have made my
will recently. At the ball which shall
give, all the world and his wife will
know who is to be my heiress."
I heard a sharp rustic as II Miss
Johnsbury moved uneasily.
Indeed, you dear old darling, that
is Just one Of your odd freaks. You
must not talk Of dying-we cannot
spare you for twenty years, at least
Mrs. Somerset laughed shrilly.
Marcia, my dear, you are precious
hypocrite! The hour Of my death. you
we'll know. will be the happiest of your
life"
And after that did not listen to the
two women; looked at Hallam Kirke
He had seated himself by buhl ta-
BILE on which lay a portfolio Of sketch
es-my own work. Among them was
a view Of Hadham Lake, a tolerably
clever head of Sister Mehitable, the
Shaker church. and one or two others
Of like nature.
He turned them in his gloved hand;
how somber and brown he looked-not
in the least like a happy lover He
started. his face changed. he recogniz-
ed the lake. the Shaker garden.
May l ask where you found these
sketches?" he said, turning to Mrs
Somerset.
"They belong to a friend Of mine,
she answered.
DO you know the artist?"
"The owner is the artist"
He said no more. I sat behind the
curtain as still as a mouse, but my
heart beat like trip-hammer.
Fortunately. they did not stay long
and after their departure, Grandmoth
er Somerset limped to my window
flung back the damask and lace, anc
with a pale, smiling face, kissed me
laffectionately.
A fortnight later came the fatefu
night Of the ball and of my debut i
was wintry weather. A thin coating o.
Ice and snow clung to the trees anc
statues and frozen fountains Of th'
square.
stood before my mirror, while Ma
son put the finishing touches to my
toilet. Could that image in the glas!
be Esther Fox, the Shakeress Of Had
ham? stared at 1t in wonder and de-
light.