Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-08-09
CHAPTER xxx.
Honor or Mignon2

savage breast!" said the lawyer. airily
Sorry to interrupt you, Mr.. Lispen'
ard"
Lispenard struck one long, wailine
note, and pushed back from the IN
strument.
"To what am indebted for this late
visit?" he asked, glancing at the CLOCK
which pointed to the wee sma' hours
Cyril wye stepped briskly into the
apartment.
"There Is trouble at Rookwood,' ne
answered. my Uncle Gilbert has sud-
denly disappeared some temporary
alteration of mind, doubtless. We are
all greatly alarmed. / have FRIENDS
outside who are aiding me to searcn
for him. We feel almost certain tha'
he has crossed the river to your
grounds"
Abel Lispenard did not move an
eyelash. Square and short OF hgure
pale and powerful Of face. he STOOD
under the clustered gas-jets and look
ed sternly at Cyril WYE.
"Who is alarmed-his daughter?
Luckily, no." replied wye, lightly
"Mignon is asleep. We do not care to
annoy her with this matter tonight
Every considerate Of you" sneereo
Lispenard.' Possibly your fears are
groundless. Gilbert Wye may be in
dulging in one of the night gallops OF
which he is so fond. Why this solicit
tude over a few hours absence?
Cyril wye smiled.
my dear Lispenard, the hors as are
all in the stable, so he is not - ING
I must find him at once. My friends
have come to the Dale tonight express
ly to make his acquaintance. Can you
give us any information concerning
him?"
None" said Lispenard, sternly' de-
cidedly.
Cyril WYE gnawed his lip.
"A boat was seen to put in to your
landing place a short time ago. Have
your people been on the river tonight!
Yes, one Of my servants. on an err
rand that does not concern you In the
least"
"My uncle has a dual nature, and he
lives, l may say, dual life. He Is also
sharp-deuced sharp. 1t is quite ike
". that, unbeknown to you, he may be
lurking, even now about your premi-
ses" Then, as II disdaining further
disguise, he broke out with coarse
oath. He has-fied from Rookwooo
fast enough BY Jove! he had good
reasons to fly! Now, Lispenard'
must beg you, as the friend of honest
men, and the foe Of scoundrels, to per-
NIT my companions to search your
house and grounds thoroughly"
Lispenard stepped calmly out into
his hall. Two persons were waiting
there, both we'll known to him.
How are you, sheriff. he said to
the foremost you find me keeping
late hours. You wish to search my
house? I shall be glad to conduct you
wherever you desire to 60"
He began to throw back the doors
near at hand, and with perfect alacrity
To open all the hooks and corners ol
the sumptuous rooms on the grouho
floor. Then they ascended the stair
Cyril wye never took his eyes off Lis
penard. He knew that, however calm
the dwarf might be in outward ap-
pearance, inwardly he was in tow
ering rage at this midnight invasion
of his lordly home.
They went through all the upper
apartments Of the mansion-the guest
chambers, and even the quarters oi
the sleeping servants-but found nc
trace, no sign of Gilbert wye. AT las'
the party arrived at the closed rooms
once occupied by poor Lillian Lispen'
ard. The dwarf put one hand on the
door of communication.
THE apartments Within" he said
ARE sacred to the memory OF my deao
sister: neither you nor any other per-
son can enter here!"
His face had suddenly grown white
and rigid.
ut is not necessary for us to go In,
said the sheriff, courteously. 1--WE
know Mr.. Lispenard and his family
history. He has only to assure us tina
the person we are looking for is no
inside, and we shall be satisfied"
Which should conquer now-honor o
Mignon? For her sake could III
stoop even to falsehood? For her SAKE
would he forfeit his self-esteem, anC
sin against his own soul? Cyril Vy'
watched him sharply. There was
moment of blank silence, then in a hrn
voice Lispenard said to the sherin:
There is no one inside that door!
They descended to the lawn. Lispen
ard called his men servants to bring
lanterns and aid in the search. From
end to end of the strawberries and gar
dens they went along the river bank
up and down, here, there and every
where, but discovered no fugitive. Gil
bert WYE was not TO be found.
Gray and unreadable as stone, Abe
Lispenard stood under the autumn
stars, and watched Cyril WYE and thu
officers depart.
"A thousand thanks for your assist
ance Mr.. Lispenard," said the sheriff.
Cyril WYE cast a queer look up t.
Lillian Lispenard's dark window, his'
In the tower. He made mocking bow
TO the dwarf
Abel Lispenard. you have been ont
too many for me tonight" he said, ant
then they went away-went off acros
the garden. to the little jetty by tn
river, and Lispenard stood and listen
ed, till their receding footsteps die
away in the distance.
CHAPTER Xxx.
BY the River.
All that night Mignon slept the sleel