Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-29


SENATOR PHILANpER c. KNox
answered, hoarsely. ASK anything but
this, mother-anything but this!"
1T is my last request" she pleaded,
wildly; surely you canont refuse it,!
My heart is set upon your marriage
with Jetta. There Is a weight on my
conscience must provide for the
child's future. II you love me, Basil,
promise that you will marry Gabriers
daughter"
Mother, cannot" he groaned, with
averted face.
And why?"
Because l am already married."
There was a moment Of dead silence
in the Cedar Chamber. Only the salt
tide kept up it's monotonous beat on
the beach below the seawall.
"Married!-you!" gasped the sick
woman. "When?-to whom?"
1.-TWO years ago. in London, to one
who had taken my heart by storm. "
he stammered. Forgive me for keep
ing the matter a secret from you, moth
er-I feared to tell you about Vera-I
feared your prejudice. your anger
and
He had given her a fearful shock
she stared wildly.
MY prejudice-my anger! You
torture me, Basil! Have you married
some Objectionable person, that you
talk like this? Tell me the whole truth
hide nothing from me now, Basil
there7,s no time for further deception"
His iron-gray eyes were full Of re-
morse and dread.
God forbid that I should deceive
YOU more" he said. 1T Is true that
Vera was beneath me socially as the
world judges such matters, but why
should we, Americans, born and bred
to consider all men and women equal,
draw hateful lines Of caste? Vera was
good and beautiful-surely that is
"nough to say"
In spite of her ebbing strength she
was still keen and comprehensive.
Not every woman. though lovely
and good, can be your equal, Basil.
There must always be social distinc-
tions in the world. DO you remember
what you said to me at parting-you
would stoop to nothing less than a
princess-you believed few women
were fit to mate with a Hawkstone?'
He colored painfully.
Foolish words! I did not then know
what love was l had not felt its cruel
power"
Her cold hands ctuched his own.
You evade me. Speak, speak, Basil,
before I am past listening. Let me
know the choice you have made"
The truth must be confessed. He
could not lie to a dying woman.
Her name was Vera Hawtree," he
began. "She was an orphan, with
with-obscure antecedents. I first saw
her at Muswell Hill. in the environs
of London. 1t was gala night.
Crowds of people filled the circus there.
favorite equestrenne came riding
into the ring. She was a mere child In
years, and beautiful as an angel. l
married her one week from that night
and carried her away to the CONT
nent."
Mrs. Hawkstone uttered a sharp cry.
"A circus rider, Basil!'
Yes: but do not condemn her un-
Justly. She had been bred to the pro-
fession by her father, and she was
scarcely sixteen at the date Of our
marriage"
BY superhuman effort Mrs. Hawk
stone raised herself on her pillow.
"That was two years ago, you say?
Has your wife made you happy, Basil?
oh. my grand. proud darling-last
but one, Of the Hawkstones-have you
vet regretted your choice?"
For his life he could not speak. She
gave a despairing groan.
you need not answer. / see II al:
in your face. A circus rider! And this
l. the princess to whom you stopped
the woman who is to succeed me here
On Tempest Island! God help you. Ba-
sil! The curse Of the race has fallen
on you early! You have wrecked your
own life, and you have broken my
heart, in my dying hour"
She fell fell suddenly back on the
bed.
Speak to me again." he cried, in
bitter remorse: "even If it be to curse
mel"
But there was no answer. In the
arms Of that idolized stepson who had
dealt to her proud, patient heart the
last blow that it was ever to know.
the lady of Tempest Island lay stark
and dead.
L..