Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-09-03

Exactly, madame"
"Ah," Mrs. Lispenard actually grew
pale "Will you kindly permit me tc
see her?"
The dressmaker went to the work
room door and called Esther forth. Ir
amazement the grand dame" and the
sewing girl stood and looked at each
other.
Esther"
| "MignonL"
Then, unmindful Of place or specta-
tors, Abel Lispenard's fair wife swept
.lup to her sister and clasped her in q
pair of glad, imperative arms.
Something told me 1t was you!" she
cried. "Oh, where have you been hid
ing, poor child? We have looked near
and far for you. And what are you
doing here? But you need not tell me
IL know already"
| Mignon turned to the Frenchwoman
| II must take Miss wye away, and al
once" she said. "She is my sister, and
we have many things to say to each
other"
The tears stood in Esther's great
eyes, but she did not speak. The little
Frenchwoman, who scented romance
and perhaps tragedy in the affair,
helped her to don her outer garments
and the two girls entered the Lispen-
ard carriage and drove away from
madame's establishment.
In the privacy Of the vehicle Mignon
sank forward at the others knees and
broke out:
"Oh, Esther oh. my poor sister! Cy-
ril wye told me everything. And you
were there-you saw him die!"
| Then Esther knew that she had kept
the secret of Gilbert Yves death In
vain.
Clasped close, with their tears ming
ling, the pair for the first time opened
their hearts to each other. Nothing
was kept back. Past and present were
told-their full history Of love and sor-
row. yes, and sin; for Esther did not
withhold from the ears Of this recover
ed sister the crime which had made
desolate her whole life.
Long ago." said Mignon, pressing
her hand in loving sympathy, "my hus-
band sent a person to search for you
in the west. The thought Of you, left
homeless and friendless there, after his
death, was agony to me. The man
tt,ifh no
started east on the day succeeding the
dreadful tragedy but, though we ad-
vertised in all the daily papers, and
made every possible inquiry, We could
find no further trace Of you"
'I dared not read the papers at that
time" shivered Esther; Il feared
might stumble upon some account of
Of
"Yes: l understand. How glad l am
that have found you at last, Esther!
Never shall you escape me again. AS
for your crime, dear, you have the
fiery temper Of all the Vyes," with a
heavy sigh, land your provocation was
great. l cannot attempt to judge you.
Have you never heard one word con-
cerning your husband from that hour?"
Mono"
Poor child! I can readily imagine
the remorse, the misery of this inter-
vening time! No wonder you were
strange and unapproachabde at Rock
wood. l never, for moment, blamed
you, dear, for Victor Shirlaw's deser-
ton. 1 have had my recompense," "
with a grave little smile. There Is
not in the wide world a happier wife
than am this day. Now I am going
to take you to my home, dear-1 want
to talk with my husband about your
future"
mot tonight" said Esther, quickly.
Little Guy and Aunt Deb will be
waiting for me at the cottage. I shall
fret no more about my future, dear,
Mignon, for now that l have found
you, now that know you, l can never
feel alone in the world again. This
Lispenard whom you have married
must be a very noble person. 1t is not
strange that he should win your love.
What woman could long remain indif-
ferent to devotion like his?"
He is the noblest. the grandest of
men!" Mignon answered. "There is
none like him. Do not think, dear,
that 1 shall longer allow you to work
for your bread at madame's establish
ment. My home is large enough for
you and little Guy, and the aunt of
whom you speak. You must all come
to me Immediately"
But Esther shook her handsome
head.
I'VE will not talk Of that now. /
am proud. 1 fear 1 could not be de-
pendent even upon you, dear"
The coachman had been driving slow
ly throuf' quiet streets while the two
were talking At Mignon's orders he
now turned his horses heads toward
Charlestown Bridge.
1t was dark when they reached the
cottage. Mignon followed Esther
through the rickety gate and into an
humble living room, and there found a
very feeble old woman sitting before
fire holding on her lap lovely,
prattling, golden haired child.
who's that" quavered Aunt Deb,
staring wildly at the fair vision of
Mignon in her carriage dress Of silk
and velvet and costly fur.
1T is my sister, Mrs. Lispenard.
answered Esther, gently. "She has
come to see you and little Guy. You
must love her for my sake, Aunt Deb.
She has made me very, very happy to-
night
But the alarm in the old woman's
face deepened. She pressed little Guy
to her breast with such force that the
child began to whimper.
| "Lispenard!" she half screamed;
that dreadful name! Keep her away
from me, keep her away from little
Guy! What does she want here? I'm
afraid of her!"
| 0Afro; III Of Mippono" said Est her