Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-06-21
DAUGHTERS OF CHIN
BY Eta w. PIERCE

into a far country Uncle Philip de
clares that papa was wild in his youth
but l do not believe 1t. OF course, III
studied law. like Philip. for all TIT
Yves are lawyers, but the east was no
large enough to hold him. He prefer
red to raise cattle rather than plead
cases-livestock to law, you know
and 1, for one, approve his taste"
The two girls were leaning against
window which commanded a view o
the wooded, romantic Dale, with 1t:
shimmering river and red rooted villas
Have you interesting neighbors II
this charminb suburban, dear?" asked
Maud.
"Yes-mostly old Boston families
descendants of the Puritans-the Dale
Is really a summer retreat. You may
look forward to stately garden parties
and gypsy teas on the river, and ket-
tledrums and recherche dinners and
kindred dissipations."
Good said Maud, with her fail
head half out Of the window. Il have
some new toilets in my boxes. Pray
what place Is that across the river
opposite? 1t is like the Tower OF
Windsor rising through a primeva1
Yankee forest. And, oh, just look al
the boat yonder at the stone jetty
Surely it is a Venetian gondola-dc
look, Mignoni"
hn to fnS oil o
the river boasted a landing place
boating was a favorite pastime with
the summer idlers Of the Dale
Straight across the current, in bee
line from Rookwood, some very dense
ly wooded grounds swept down to the
waters edge. Out Of the tops OF
broad d-leaved chestnuts and copper
beaches arose the tower which had at
tracted Mauds attention-a structure
Of dark slate veined with quartz, the
stones arranged to produce lovely low
color effects; and at stone jetty be-
longing to the estate lay the gondola-
for such the boat really seemed to be
with its gliding and carving, its brass
sea horses and awnings Of Indian silk
yea, verify, a barge pretentious enough
to have belonged to a prince Of the
Doge's time. Long cared hounds lolleo
about the landing place, but no human
thing was anywhere in sight.
THAT house." said Mignon, knitting
her smooth brows, 'is the finest in the
Dale. Why! Somebody must be liv-
ing there!"-with an intonation Of sur
prise. You see, it has been closed
for years. The owner went abroad
because Of some dreadful family catas-
trophe. l once heard the servants gos-
slipping about it, and Aunt Elinor re-
buked me because I listened"
"Ah, 1 detected romance in the air!'
cried Maud, gayly. THE very aspect
of that tower tells me that its master
Is no common person. What is his
name, what he is like, and, above all
what was the dreadful family catas-
trophe of which you speak?"
Maud looked grave.
His name, If I remember Alright, Il
Lispenard. l do not know what he Is
like, dear. l never saw him. He had
already gone abroad when first came
an eight-year- child, to Rookwood
The family tragedy was connected
with his sister, a beautiful young girl
who died raving maniac in that tai
tower. Nobody at the Dale ever men,
tions the story, and, really, that is al
know about it,"
"Lispenard! what a grand sounding
words he is a Byron or a Rochester
or an Edgar Ravenswood. I find his
gray tower and his Venetian gondole
altogether too unique for this common
place, insignificant Charles river. Oh
| wonder is he dark or fair? / do 81
admire dark men, of the melancholy
Charles Stuart type.
"Fie! you giddy creature!" laughed
Mignon; how dare you stand here
meditating future conquest, with Gu!
Fleetwood's ring on your hand?"
Maud lightly kissed the diamont
that sparkled on her third finger
1T is not that I love dear Guy th'
less" she replied, but your neighbo
across the river piques my womanl!
curiosity Does insanity run in TIT
Lispenard blood?"
"I do not know. dear. Some day W.
place is Aunt Elinor.
| BY -the-way, Mignon, l received let
ters, from Guy yesterday. He has quit
recovered from his wounds, and Ii
about to shake the dust of COLORADO
from his feet, and return home, wis
er man, to his Canadian possessions
and tome"
With the help Of a mulatto maid
who came to unpack the trunks, tn
two girls dressed for dinner. TIL
meal was served in a great wainscote'
dining room, rich in faded portrait
and ancient brass bound buffets. Oh
these latter glittered plate and chini
and punch bowls older than the Rev
olution. Mignon, with her intensel,
yellow hair and seal brown eyes, wa
seated beside her cousin Cyril
AT last we have you back at Rook
wood" he chuckled, under cover o
Gathering forks and spoons.
She gave him a withering look.
Il do not know how long / may b
content here" she answered coldly
the only thing that binds me to tn
place is Aunt Alinor
His knitted brows made an ugly re
line across his forehead.
You are as cruel as ever, belle cou
sine! Still signing for your father
ranch?"
At that instant the voice Of Phil
wye came from the head of the table.
Now that Abel Lispenard has re
turned from his wanderings around tn
world, and settled down at his Tower
the neighborhoOd will not be likely I
suffer from ennui"
Mignon and Maud Lotus exchange
quick glances.
II beg your pardon!" quavered poo
Aunt Elinor, who seemed to feel tina