Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-19
CHAPTER Iu-Continued.

veyed me critically.
You will dol" said she. Now come
it Is time for us to go down"
AS we stepped out into the corridor
a man, with a jar Of flowers In his
hand, passed us. gave me quick look
and disappeared inside a neighborins
dressing room. was struck by some
thing unpleasantly familiar in his ap-
pearance.
WHO is that person?" asked.
"a young man from the florists
answered Grandmother Somerset;
then we descended the stair together
The grand house was ablaze with
light from roof to foundation. The
stairwaSs were lost in rare plants and
blossoming shrubs. Flowers in costly
profusion filled the corners, wreathed
the pilasters. swung from the doors
embedded the superb mantels. and
crowned every pedestal and statue
The waxed and polished floor OF the
ballroom shone in the light Of rose
wreathed chandeliers, and over the
entrance a name was set in lilies-of-
the-valiey, Esther"
Carriage after carriage rolled up TO
the door; the great rooms filled rapid
". / stood beside Grandmother Som
erset as she received her guests. How
those astonished men and women
stared at me, as she presented each
and ali to her granddaughter, Miss
Fox.
Nv mothers story was we'll known.
Whispers ran from lip to lip. My heart
beat violently. 1t was a trying mo-
ment for a girl Of nineteen who had
been cheated of her birthright for the
greater part Of her life. saw scores
Of eyes fixed upon me in mingled ad-
miration and curiosity. 1 heard fiat
tering congratulations addressed to
Grandmother Somerset, whose lean
face was full OF triumph and delight.
/ heard complimentary things said all
about me, but needed nothing|I was
covertly watching the door for the ar
rival of Miss Johnsbury and her party
They came at last! With her brown
bored lover by her side, Marcia Johns
bury sailed into the splendid room, In
a wonderful toilet of pale-blue brocade
with diamonds blazing on her throat
and arms and n her pale hair. She
advanced to meet her aunt, then paus-
ed. and stared at me in amazement.
Grandmother Somerset held out her
hand.
MY dear Marcia" she said, did /
not tell you that had charming sur
prise in store for you? Let me intro
duce you to my granada lighter. DO
you recognize her? 1t was you who
sent her to me from Hadham three
years ago. 1 could not utilize her as
a waiting maid, my dear, so I have
made her my heiress."
Then she turned to Hallam Kirke.
Here is an old acquaintance OF
yours, Hallam-Esther Fox. the Shak-
eress> Long ago you tried to befriend
her-I must thank you for that as soon
as have time"
Marcia Johnsbury grew lived with
rage.
What trick are you playing upon
me, Aunt SOMERSET" she demanded; !;
you have no granddaughter"
There you err" answered Mrs
Somerset, dryly. "She stands before
you, Marcia-she is the child Of that
daughter whom disowned twenty
years ago"
Aunt Somerset, you are the most
malicious OF living beings. Why did
YOU not tell me of this before?"
Because it suited my purpose to
keep it from you"
Hallam Kirke had taken my hand
he was looking straight down into my
eyes.
Then you did not elope with Broth
er Silas?" he said.
81 have no recollection Of such an
act" l answered, dryly.
81 think some one owes me an ex-
PLANTATION to this riddle"
Marcia will tell you everything
said Grandmother Somerset.
Did 1 exult in my triumph?
A little, perhaps.
1t was a marvellous night! I danced
with partners provided for me by
Grandmother Somerset. Jewels flash
Ao ir
with the odor of flowers. the music
called in bewildering strains.
From a distant corner Hallam Kirke
watched me with moody eyes. Miss
Johnsbury had vanished. By-and-by
he made his way through the crowd
and asked my hand for the next waltz
Il congratulate you upon your goo6
fortune" he said.
Thank you"
Have you thought Of me kindly, oil
otherwise, in the last three years.?
Il have not thought Of you at all.
We gyrated silently down the room
Where is my cousin. Marcia?"
asked. at last.
she left the house with her sister
half an hour ago, Miss Fox, you arr
as cruel as you are beautiful"
Reserve your compliments for youl
betrothed wife"
Pardon me, l have none"
l looked quickly up and then as
quickly down.
Miss Johnsbury has this nigh
broken with me-" he explained; "ou1
engagement is over"
You have quarreled about me?"
Yes: but do not distress yourself
There was never a ghost Of love be-
tween us. Our bondage was growing
irksome to both parties"
At midnight the doors of the supper
room were opened. and thither TIT
hungry crowd fiocked. like an army o
locusts. Hallam Kirke conducted M
to the table and stood beside me Their
till a heavy young man, who looked
unutterable things and stammeret
badly in his speech, led me away TO
a last quadrille.