Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-07-16

lLiSpenard nodded silently TO her. WIN
his broad, short figure half concealed
behind a satin damask curtain, he kept
his eyes fixed with a greedy, overpon-
dering gaze on Shirlaw and Mignon.
II hope their joy may last" sighed
Elinor Wye; but 1t will not-no, 1t
cannot"
1T must-it SHALL" Lispenard groan-
ed; "at any cost she shall be happy"
Elinor Wye leaned forward in a start
led way, and peered into the dwarf's
face. This weak, downtrodden woman
had sharp eyes.
"Mignon compels all hearts to love
her." she faltered; "she was born to
make or mar the peace Of many"
"True!" he answered, bitterly; "too
true!"
Her thin, jeweled hands closed to-
gether rather convulsively. He knew
for what purpose she was searching
his sombre face, and he turned from
her abruptly, unable to bear her scru-
tiny.
God help you, Mr.. Lispenard!"-
Elinor wye breathed rather than
spoke: then she sank back behind the
curtain, and the orchestra crashed,
the ballroom lights flashed merrily,
there was neither sorrow, nor sacri-
fee, nor despair in the world.
The belle Of the evening was Mig
non. It surely was no fault Of the
brilliant company that the girls gol-
den head was not quite turned with
f1attery this night. The wee sma'
hours had come. Mignon had just left
the clustered lights, the gold and sill
yer and crystal, the terrapin and truf-
fies, and Bordeaux and spiced meats
and confections, Of the supper-room
behind her, and was passing along q
flower wreathed corridor with Shir-
law, when sorle one in ambush there
whisked her suddenly away from her
lover, and straight through the open
door Of a conservatory. 1t was Regi-
nal Berkely, dark, bilious, melancholy,
with q bunch Of daffodils stuck in the
buttonhole O his cutaway coat and
his soul on fire with secret agitation.
DO you like to be admired?" he
demanded, resentfully, as he drew
Mignon, and unwilling and indignant
captive, into the solitude of the palms
and orchids, and tiny, tinkling foun-
tains
Certainly" she answered; Il should
be very stupid IL did not"
1T is sacrilegious-it is offensive to
my very soul-I cannot, I will not bear
it," he cried. "Mignon, love-nay, 1
adore you! Here Is my hand, spoiled
beauty-will you take or reject it,"
He thrust out the member in ques-
tion-a limp. fiabby, nerveless affair.
Mignon drew back.
II am greatly obliged to you, Mr..
Berkely. but oh, GEAR! 1 could not
think of taking it-no, indeed, you are
too generous"
And then overcome by his melan-
choly crow-like aspect, she burst into
an hysterical laugh.
He stared at her gloomily.
80 fair and yet SO heartless!" he
cried "You laugh while your lovers
weep! You dance While they sit in
sack-cloth and ashes! Nemesis will
yet find you out! Tell me, is my ador-
alton altogether in vain?"
Decidedly" gasped Mignon.
He bent and pressed his burning lips
upon her bare white arm.
"Matchless fesh," he muttered, "but
soulless-pre- eminently soulless! Adieu
Galatea! upon whom no Pygmalion
has yet breathed."
And with his hand to his heart, he
darted through the palms and daphnes
and broad-leaved aloes, and vanished.
Mignon ran to the door Of the con-
servatory, and there encountered Maud
Lotus, fresh from the light and mer-
riment Of the ballroom, but wearing
pale, frightened face. and holding In
her hand an open telegram.
"Oh. Mignon!" she gasped. "a SER
want has just brought this from Rook-
wood. l must go-I must leave you.
Aunt Fleetwood-Guy's mother is-dy-
ing and am called at once-at once
to Canada"