Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-06-21
CHAPTER V-Continued.

non as though she were my own.
When your Uncle Gilbert brought her
here from the west with her SICK
mother, and committed both to my
care, and when that mother died, and
left Mignon in my hands, l solemnly
promised to watch over the child and
keep her, so far as lay in my power,
from all harm. Cyril, you are my only
son, but l would as soon see Mignon
lying dead before me as married to
you!"
Severe words, indeed, for such timid
lips. He winched and grew violently
red.
Then you will not use your infu-
ence to prosper my suit, eh? Happily,
I know Of a person who is more oblig-
ing-I mean my father. His heart Is
set upon this match.
She covered suddenly, as II brought
face to face with a power that she
could not resist
your father!" she echoed, blankly.
why does he lend himself to such
scheme? If he had Mignon's interests
at heart he would not-no, he could
not. Perhaps you have also consulted
your Uncle Gilbert?"
1T Is scarcely time for that, wise
mamma. Moreover, 1 am tolerably sure
Of the consent Of my uncle, the cattle
king. Being a Vye he will certainly
look with favor on the suit Of his only
and elder brother. Mignon and I are
the last scions of our race, and in us
will be united all the family money and
the family honors. Don't you see?"
II see," she answered, drearily; "but
I do not like the plan, Cyril do not
like it, Surely some one ought to
think a little of Mignon's happiness
My dear mother" interposed Cyril,
airly Compose yourself. Hark! 1
hear the carriage. Our travellers are
here"
The noise of wheels was plainly au-
dible in the driveway. Cyril wye
sprang through low window, and
disappeared in the direction Of the
sound.
"Oh, Mignon-oh, my poor child!
God help you in your great peril!"
Elinor wye had just time to murmur,
then came a rush Of light feet across
the piazza, and Mignon herself, in
gray serge travelling dress. rushed in
to her aunt's arms.
MY school life is over, Aunt Elinor,"
she cried. like glad, free thing which
she was, "and here am l, come to live
indefinitely at Rookwood. Here, also,
is my dear friend. Maud Lotus: surely
you will give her warm welcome for
my sake?'
Philip Yves pale wife clasped her
husbands niece to her heart, and cor
daily embraced Maud LOTUS, as the
latter, dusty with travel, appeared in
the drawing room. Close in the wake
of the two girls entered small, iron
gray man, with a smoothly shaven face,
a hooked nose, a narrow eye and fault
less manners-Philip Wye, the lawyer,
distinguished for a tongue of super
human eloquence and heart harder
than flint 1t was curious to see his
wife cringe as he approached her.
II beg your pardon" she murmured,
in a miserable, deprecatory tone. She
usually addressed him in that way.
Don't be a fool, Elinor," he replied.
in low, severe voice. Il am glad
these young folks have come. You
everything at Rookwood. I trust, even
to your nerves. Now ring for SER
want to show them to their rooms, or
dinner will be late: and If there is one
thing above another to which l object,
1t is the guest who delays my dinner.
Rookwood was no modern dwelling.
1t had been in the possession Of the
WYE family for full two hundred years.
A splendid specimen Of colonial archi-
lecture, stepped to its very chiInneys
in historic "reminiscences, ii stood in
that most aristocratic suburb Of Bos-
ton known as the Dale, looking forth
disdainfully as it seemed, upon the
modern mushroom growth Of Queen
Anne palaces and Mansard roofs, and
French villas, which bankers and
statesmen and retired merchants had
built around it. From the curiously
wrought brass knocker on the huge
door to the oaken timbers in the roof,
all was ancient and carefully preserv-
ed. The house abOunded in priceless
things-carpets and chairs and porce-
lains that might have belonged to a
salon Of Louis XIV; and there were
low studded rooms, paneled in oak and
cedar, winding staircases, carved ba =
nll t>ait re Of colonial p
lebrities, ancient brass faced clocks,
polished wainscots, and rare tiles
painted with Scriptural scenes. At the
foot of the great garden the Charles
river rippled peacefully away toward
the sea.
What a dear old muSeum" cried
Maud LOTUS. after peeping into, al
least. dozen delightful rooms. Then
the two girls came to the chambers
which had been assigned them
charming twin apartments, furnished
in blue and gold. 1T is just my idea
OF an English mansion Of EliZabeth's
time" went on the blonde Canadian
81 admire Rookwood. mamie. l like
your meek little Aunt Elinor. but your
Uncle Philip gives me the shiVers
dear: and as for Cyril-angels and min
listers OF grace defend us!-that young
man ought to be vigorously suppress
ed. He is in love with you, Mignon-
used to tell you as much when he
made his stupid calls at the school
Really, you should make haste to check
such amatory aspirations. That eye
glass and that waxed mustache are in
sufferable."
Mignon's scarlet lip curled.
Don't jest about Cyril. l detest the
subject Talk about ROOkwOod in
stead. All the Yves are inordinately
proud Of the old place-it has been II
the family for more than two centu'
,-ins IIncle Philin received II from biz