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


library, the lawyer reading letters, his
western brother striding about the
room with a restless, impatient air
Philip WYE seemed to find something
auspicious in the sight Of the dwarf
my dear Lispenard, you always
bring good luck to Rookwood," he said,
as he presented him to Gilbert.
The cattle king stared hard at the
singular misshapen figure, but gave
Iispenard a civil greeting. Then lie
turned sharply to Shirlaw. There was
something about the man by open day
light that made one think of pent-up
volcano.
You wish to marry my daughter"
he said. VERY well, Mignon has been
reared in luxury-she is a hot-house
flower. Consequently 1 must know,
first Of all, something about your re-
sources"
The delusions Of the night do not al
ways pass at morning. Shirlaw, beset
with the same unpleasant fancies that
had assailed him on the previous even
ing, fell back a step from the tall,
bronze figure; but Lispenard stepped
quickly forward. He had something to
say about his friends resources. At
his request Philip Wye. then and there,
drew up certain papers, by which the
dwarf conveyed to Shirlaw a sum that
made both Yves open wide their eyes.
"I bestow this trifle upon my kins-
man." said Lispenard, calmly, 'in view
OF his marriage with Miss wye, and
as a slight token Of the esteem In
which l hold him."
This is generous, Lispenard, re-
markably generous" cried Philip wye,
involuntarily.
The cattle king, with lofty air, re-
marked:
my little Mignon's dowry will be
half of her fathers entire possessions
Nobody seemed to notice the vague
and unsatisfactory character Of this
announcement, and shortly after it the
two visitors departed.
It was a sombre autumn day, with
high wind blowing, and sky overcast
with threatening clouds. Dead leaves
rustled under the feet Of Lispenard
and the young officer as they walked
silently down the garden Of Rookwood
to the river bank, where they had left
their skiff.
oll hof
of the cattle king?" burst out Shirlaw,
at last.
"A very imposing personage-he
looks his sovereignty" replied Lispen-
ard IL foresee that the Dale people
will make a lion Of him. Being one
Of the ancient Puritan Yves, he will
find himself in great demand here"
by Jove! 1 doubt If there is much
of the Puritan left in Gilbert Vye!
said Shirlaw, in a queer tone.
THAT may be, but he comes Of the
old Mayfower stock. Very many OF
u.s." struggling his square. herculean
shoulders, ARE degenerate sons Of
worthy sires, you know. Look, Shir-
law! In Heavens name, what Is
that?"
They had reached the landing place.
Shirlaw looked and saw sight which
took his breath.
Where the bank fell sharply down to
the black current, woman was stand
ing. like Iphigenia at the sacrifice. She
L, a ha ho oyty1fr Shnnl1QrS
and her head was uncovered save for
its own braids of raven hair. Tall,
white, terrible, with a face like carven
stone, and eyes full Of desperate, dead
taking a farewell look at earthly
things. Instantly the truth flashed up
on Shirlaw. He made a dash forward.
Miss Vye!" he cried. Hold, for
Gods sake!"
Whether she heard him or not he
never knew. She slipped from the bank
"a splash-she was in the river, and
a water bird somewhere among the
reeds uttered a sudden. frightened cry.
Shirlaw threw off his coat and plung-
ed after her AS she arose to the sur
face he seized her with a firm hand.
Let me die-let me die" she gasp
ed. struggling furiously to escape him.
You are beside yourself!" cried
Shirlaw; "why do you want to die?"
"Oh, / cannot live!" she moaned.
"You shall not save mel"
Il will save you!" he answered, set
ting his teeth, "or perish in the at
tempt. If you struggle like this you
will drown us BOTH"
She was strong and determined. The
current, swollen by recent rains, added
to his difficulties. He would not let go
his hold of her, and in her efforts to
escape both went under. The fate of
the pair might have been sealed there
and then, had not Abel Lispenard leap
ed into the skiff and pulled promptly
to Shirlaw's help.
Aided by his friend, the brown cap
tain managed to scramble iAto the boat.
BY this time Esther was exhausted.
She ceased to struggle, and allowed
herself to be borne, in a state OF COL
lapse, to the bank, Dripping from head
to foot, but superb even in plight
that would have made another woman
ridiculous, she turned on Shirlaw.
You have conquered" she stormed;
but will hate you for it as long as
live"
He looked at her and smiled quiet
| ly.
"Do deserve so bitter punishment
Miss WYE? You see am half drown
ed; but l forgive your ingrattude. To
Mr. Lispenard here | owe my victory.
Lispenard bowed profoundly to the
would-be suicide, as she stood before
him in her drenched black gown, her
face like marble, her eyes flashing
darkly But had 1 failed to conquer
you. I should, at least, have shared
your fate. Now, shall l go back to
Rookwood and give the alarm, or viii
you promise to abandon all further at
tempt at self -destruction?"
She was at his mercy. She inten-
Al.f. ElsaNN