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


room at Rookwood-a September twi-
light, full Of cold, creeping mist and
dashes Of rain. Mignon, fitting like
some bright bird from window to win
down, saw the river blotted out in a
chilly shroud: but beyond its dark,
sinuous line lights were shining In Lis
penard's tower.
She went back to a wood fire burn
ing on the hearth. Before it two per-
sons were seated-victor Shirlaw. who
had dined this day at Rookwood, and
meek, pale Elinor wye. the latter busy,
as usual, with her embroidery.
"I feel as IL something was about
to happen" said Mignon, dropping
upon a tiger-skin rug at the feet OF
Elinor wye, where the red fire shone
full upon her yellow hair, and her
dinner dress of wine-dark silk.
my dear?" said Aunt Elinor, In
meek Interrogation.
Some coming event Is casting It's
shadow over me-" explained Mignon.
News from papa, maybe. 1t Is very,
very odd that he has never answered
my last letter"
Possibly its contents displeased
him." murmured Shirlaw, gazing fond
" into the uplifted brown eyes.
She shook her head.
81 think not. He would not 81 w
his displeasure in that way fear he
did not receive it, or" sinking her
voice to a shy whisper, perhaps he
cannot quite make up his mind how to
dispose of his daughter and heiress.'
In the absence of Cyril wye life at
Rookwood had flowed very peacefully
for the last few weeks. Shirlaw was
constantly there, lowering about Mig
non: but Philip wye seemed to suspect
nothing, and treated Lispenard's kins-
man with studied pollteness. Aunt
Elinor saw ALL but uttered no word,
made no sign.
There was now but one drawback to
Mignon's happiness-no reply had yet
come from Gilbert Wye, no paternal
sanction to her engagement. What
could his silence mean?
81 hope to heaven that we shall not
meet with any opposition from him."
said Shirlaw. my darling, I wonder
if you would give me up at his bid
ding?"
She shivered.
II love him so much, Victor! 1t
would break my heart to disobey pa
pa: but" trying to smile, 1--WE need not
talk like this. His silence does not,
cannot mean disapproval. Tomorrow
we may hear something favorable from
dear. faraway Happy Valley. Yes
surely-by tomorrow"
Elinor WYE had turned her face-she
always appeared oblivious to the low
ers and their low murmurs. She was
now looking away to a window op-
posite the fireplace.
"Lispenard's lights are shining
brightly tonight" she said.
"I fear the old chap has something
on his mind" answered Shirlaw. care
lessly. "He seems strangely distrait
Of late-quite unlike himself Maybe
the family tragedy weighs on his spir-
it's"
"Ah, poor fellow" murmured Aunt
Elinor.
The gas had not been lighted in the
room, nor the curtains drawn. Sud-
denly they all heard slight sound
outside the window: looking, they saw
a man standing there. his face pressed
to the glass, his figure looming up, su-
pernaturally dark and tall. against the
background Of misty twilight. The
moment he found himself observed, up
went the sash-he leaped into the
drawing room of Rookwood with a
free and easy air.
"I trust | am as welcome by the
window as the door," he said.
MignOn sprang up from the tiger
skin. A look-a cry-a breathless rush
past Shirlaw, who had risen, indignant
and astonished, from his chair, and
she was in the arms of the intruder.
Papa! papa" she cried, wildly; at
is papa"
Yes, liz majesty the cattle king, had
indeed, como. Gilbert wye stood again
under the family roof-tree, in the home
of the old judges and magistrates and
famous lawyers Of his race. Long
parted father and child were clasped
in a close embrace. What were Gill