Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-01-03

Mademoiselle's blue eyes flashed.
"Oh, does she, indeed? But for her
1 should be holding Bee in my empty
arms at this very moment. She sus-
poets you, her brother?-she knows
perhaps, that you are my friend?"
Your lover." he corrected.
Did you tell her, stupid?" she blaz-
led
mo, she guessed the truth"
He was haggard with disappointment
and chagrin. The beautiful circus rider
had never held in her tolls a more
helpless victim than this young south
erner with great expectations-this
raven haired Apollo, who, betrothed to
one woman, was spending all his spare
time and money in making love to an
other.
1T is plain that we shall receive no
help, directly or indirectly, from Jet
ta." he muttered.
She put on grieved air.
"Ah,", she sighed, your sister always
hated me-she now begrudges me your
friendship, and have so few friends,
too!" clasping her little hands pathet-
Iically. Hatton. behind the curtain. in
dulged in a curious smile. "She VIII
not help us. then?--you cannot coax,
persuade. or threaten herr"
NO! she Is painfully loyal to the
Hawkstones-deuce take. her! Better
not count on Jetta!"
The ready tears began to roll softly
down her face.
Fate is against mel" she sobbed.
"All my plans go awry! Basil Hawk
stone triumphs over me at every turn. !"
Her emotion was too much for Rave
mel. Instantly he was on his knees be-
fore her, covering her hands with hot
kisses.
DO not weep!" he implored, wildly;
ut kills me to see your tears! Have
you no friends? Look at me; l would
die for you gladly. If that silly Jetta
dares to stand in your way will crush
her without mercy What is a sister
compared with you? 1 love you, Vera;
love you, and you know it, and yet
you return no answer to the devotion
offer you. You prolong my suspense
cruelty; you seem to reject even while
you accept my service. Why do you
hold me so long in allegiance? Why
are you so cold, so pitiless to me?"
She drew her little hands gently from
Wy
cheek and innocent eyes she looked, in
deed. like a suffering angel.
Gabriel" she answered, softly, 'you
must not talk like this to me till you
bring my child. will listen to no love-
making till l hold my little one to my
heart-till you prove your devotion by
accomplishing the task to which have
set you. Your reward does not pre-
cede the service-it follows it, If you
really love me, Gabriel. you will help
me, first Of all, to take vengeance on
my foes"
Vengeance is an ugly word, but it
slipped sweetly over her red lips, and
Gabriel Ravenels dark eyes flashed.
Her touch, her look, her vague prom
ises, sent the blood racing, like liquid
fire, through his veins.
"And if 1 bring your child?" he cried.
"Oh, my beautiful sorceress, if I tear
| her from Hawkstone's very arms-if I
make common cause with you against
that man-if I do your bidding in all
things-if 1 fling all things away for
your sweet sake-will you listen to me
then? Will you accept my love then?
Will you swear to be my wife? Thus
far you have fed me on husks. Imust
have your sacred promise, Vera, before
l undertake more"
Verify, he was q willing tool in her
hands. Like the wary little spider
that she was, she glanced once toward
the curtain, and finding everything
quiet there, she bent forward till her
yellow curls touched Ravenels shoul-
der and said:
"As surely as you tear my darling
from Hawkstone, and bring her safely
to me; as surely as you help me to tor
ment, yes, and if possible, destroy, him,
so surely will accept your love and
become your wife!"
There was certainly a movement be-
hind the curtain now, but Ravenel did
not hear 1.-THE voice of the siren had
drowned all other sounds in his ear.
Vera, am yours. body and soul.
My darling, oh, my darling
"Hush!" she interrupted. II cannot
listen to you till your work is done, re-
member. You failed last night--you
may fail again. I shall exact complete
success before I make payment. And
now you must go, Gabriel I am i'll to-
day, my troubles have quite prostrated
mel wish to rest"
Go! I have but just come" he an
you are Will you not permit me to
remain a few moments at least?"
Not today, dear friend" purred
Vera: Il wish to be alone. All, 1 fear
trouble with that dreadful rich old
man whose heir you are to be. Does
he never ask what it is that takes you
from him so often?"
Ravenel hung his head-that hand
some, foolish head which an artful
woman had completely turned.
Yes" he acknowledged, sullenly;
and 1 am tired of inventing excuses.
He thinks l go to Tempest Island to
see my sister"
Very good. And the blonde heiress
to whom you are bethothed-what does
she Think
Il do not KNOW do not care!-
probably she suspects the TRUTH can
not conceal it longer. The role of hy-
pocrite is growing distasteful to me,
Vera. l must cancel my engagement
with Miss RokewOod!"
DO nothing rash you tiresome boy!
she yawned. IF you break with Miss
RokewoOd, you will surely invite cri-