Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-07-23

creature-this beautiful, high-breo
girl, who had been reared far from
him, and in a manner befitting the
daughter Of the ancient, aristocratic
IVyes?"
"Mignon-my darling!" He pressed
her to his heart, he kissed her again
and again-he held her from him and
looked at her with wild, glad eyes
In all the world she was the only thing
that he loved, and he did love her
whatever his sins might be, Gilbert
wye loved his daughter.
You have become a fine woman, but
you are still my little Mignon," ne
said, fondly. Il should have known
you anywhere"
"Oh, papa" she gasped, this is why
you did not answer my letter."
"Yes! concluded to give you little
surprise, instead"
He turned, bold and imposing, to
Shirlaw and Aunt Elinor, who were
both standing silent in the background
He shook hands with his sister-in-law'
II am unspeakably glad that you
are here, Gilbert" she cried, fervently
And then Mignon led him to her
lover.
"victor," she stammered, in happy
confusion, this Is papa-you two must
be- friends"
A most curious sensation shot
through Shirlaw as his hand met that
Of the cattle king. He stood like
man dazed.
"I hope at a later date to cultivate
Captain Shirlaw's acquaintance" said
Gilbert wye, politely. Now. where is
my brother Philip? I have taken the
liberty to bring second guest to his
house,
Even as he spoke the drawing room
door flew open, and Philip wye, drawn
from his library by the cries and con-
fusion, appeared on the threshold.
my God!" he cried, starting back
step at sight of his visitor. Gilbert
wye smiled, with the same sang froid
that he had displayed in Concordia
Tempest's cottage.
my dear Philip, do you invoke the
Deity in joy or dismay? I hope have
not upset you. 1t is my way to swoop
down upon my friends-and enemies,
also-suddenly. Bless me! how old
you have grown, Philip! You are as
gray as a rat Well, myself am no
longer a boy-the years leave their
mark on all Of u.s."
Philip wye regained his self-posses-
sion Immediately.
"Of course, I am delighted to see
you, Gilbert" he answered.; "only do
not say that you are here to take Mig
non from us-our lovely Mignon, as
dear to us as our own flesh"
mo" replied Gilbert wye, II do not
come to carry Mignon away-on the
contrary, Philip, I have brought to
you my other daughter"
A blank silence fell in the drawing
room. 1t was broken by Mignon's as
tonished voice.
Papa! what do you mean!
Let me tell you a family secret, my
DEAR" said the cattle king. drawing her
fondly to him. 81 was widower when
I married your mother, and the father
of a daughter who had been left In the
far east, with her mothers people.
Owing to her humble station, my first
wife did not quite meet the approval
of my kindred"-with a mocking bow
t. his brother; Indeed, she was the
bone of contention which finally drove
me to the frontier have never spok-
en- to you Of the matter, Mignon. be-
cause, heretofore, I could see no neces-
sity for doing so; but your sister Is
now homeless, and in great trouble
from the loss Of her maternal relatives
and so, to make the story brief. she is
now waiting at the gate Of Rookwood.'
Whatever Philip wye may have
thought Of this sudden resurrection OF
an old and obnoxious family affair,
his mask-llke face betrayed nothing.
"You are rich in surprises, Gilbert
he said, dryly; but Mignon. now In
state Of wild excitement, interrupted:
How strange, how delightful, papa!
Let me see my sister at once! 1t was
very good of you to bring her here to-
night, that she might share In your
own welcome. I promise to love her
with my whole heart"
And also" said Elinor Wye, firm
ly. For once she seemed to forget her
husbands presence. do not keep her
waiting another moment, Gilbert; she
will think us unkind and unhospitable."
VERY true" chimed in Philip, viva
ciously; bring her in"
The cattle king walked leisurely out
Of the drawing-room and down into
the driveway where a close carriage
stood waiting. He threw back the door
and said, briefly: "Come!"
Esther alighted. Gilbert wye thrust
some money into the hand Of the dri-
yer, and the vehicle rolled away, leav-
ing the two together at the entrance
o! Rookwood.
Your kindred will receive you prop
erly, Esther" said Gilbert wye. Mind
that you say nothing about your late
troubles. You have left your past be-
hind you-your very name is now
changed All that happened to you
among your mothers relatives you
must forget"
She nodded. but did not speak. he
pushed her almost rudely toward the
door.
You are to begin a new life here
No whining, remember, and no more
devilish nonsense, girl! Both you and
your sister ought to marry men OF
wealth and position; you have each
powerful share of good looks. Now
courage-here we go!"
The next moment Esther was stand
ing in the Rookwood drawing room
face to face with the strange kindred
whose existence had been unknown TO
her one week before-a grand, pale WIS.,
ion, dressed in plainest black. but OF
beauty so startling that everybody
stared in amazement. Mignon was the
the first to recover her wits. She