Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-08-14
CHAPTER XXI.
Dawninq Love.

delights me, and you are Dy no means
as ignorant as l feared to find you, my
dear. 1 will even say that for girl
whose life has been passed with sea-
faring folks, in wild, half civilized
places, you are most agreeable sur
prise The Ellicott blood will tell
even in a dust heap a jewel remains
a jewel! Now all that 1 need do is to
send you to some finishing school,
where you will acquire the manners
and accomplishments Indispensable to
your new position in the world"
Breakfast was over, and the false
Elizabeth Hillyer was sitting on
cushioned seat at Mrs. Ellicott's feet,
with her childish hands resting on the
old woman's knee, and her innocent
face uplifted like a flower. She had
been telling the story of her life-a bit
of fiction carefully prepared to suit
the exigencies of the case. She had
taken pains to make the narrative brief
and plausible.
THE uncle with whom l lived at
Cape Desolation was drowned some
weeks ago" she said. He left me
homeless, penniless, kinless. found
shelter with people who were very
hard and unkind, and when your letter
came-ah,> l cannot tell you how hap
py l was!"
The reply which you wrote quite
won me-" replied Mrs. Ellicott, kindly.
toll Of CT
Mignon-forget it now, and think only
of the future"
The grand dame felt no particular
interest in Elizabeth's history, but she
was well satisfied with her find" This
girl might know nothing Of Browning,
or the Assembly balls, or Wagner re-
cital; but she was bright and full OF
possibilities, and her beauty was mar
velous. AS the heiress of the Ellicott
fortune, she would some day make
sensation in society.
Must l go to school?" said the girl,
aghast.
Certainly. You are a mere child
and you look even younger than your
years. 1t is not to be expected that you
can comprehend your own needs, or
the world into which you have entered.
For a year, at least, you must remain
with competent teachers"
The girl was deeply disappointed and
chagrined, but she managed to conceal
her feelings cleverly.
you know best" she meekly an
swered; Il want to please you in all
things. I will do exactly as you wish.
And she flung two soft, white arms
around the old woman.
Touched by her docility, Mrs. Ellicott
sighed: "Ah, my child, 1 feel certain
that in you 1 shall find some consola-
ton for my past sOrrOws!"
Mignon, as she was henceforth to be
called. smoothed with a gentle touch
the others mourning gown.
You mean the loss of your son.
she said.
Mrs. Elicott nodded.
'I am very, very sorry for YOU" muir
INJURED the girl He was your only
child. was he not? How dreadful! Tell
me about him."
A spasm crossed the face of the elder
woman. The wound had never wholly
healed-never would heal on this side
of the grave.
THE very dogs in the street loved
him." she cried, with vehemence. IN
all his life he was never guilty OF but
one represensible act. At some later
day will speak Of that. His portrait
hangs in the drawing-room; come and
see for yourself what he was like"
She picked up her ebony stick, push
ed aside the pOrtiere, and the two NOV
ed into the adjoining apartment.
A cool dimness filled it at this hour,
for the shutters were closed, and the
plate-glass windows hidden in lace and
brocade. Mrs. Ellicott limped forward
to the mantel, paused on the tigersKin
rug. and looked up at the portrait of
the dead Lepel.
This is he" she said. sadly. II
have noS called you to take his place,
Mignon, for that could never be-no
living creature can fill the place Of my
son!-but simply to make little less
terrible the vacancy OF my life. Had
he lived. you, Of course. would not be
here today"
There was no reply. Mrs. Ellicott
turned In time to see the girl fling out
her hands toward the canvas-then fall
full length to the floor.
hn hall hTnnpht
Taylor to the spot.
Miss Hillyer has fainted" cried
Mrs. Ellicott, in alarm. do something
for her. Susan! She came in here to
look at Mr. Lepels portrait, and al
sight of it she fell without sound"
Susan grew grim.
Very strange, ma'am!"
Not strange at all, Susan-the child
has not recovered from her journey OF
yesterday"
Perhaps not, ma'am.
Restoratives were applied, and the
new heiress came to herself directly.
In a sort of frightful fascination her
delicate eyes wandered again to the can
vas over the mantel.
"Oh. Mrs. Ellicott! is that-that-
your SOM" she gasped.
"Yes-Lepel, who died"
She buried her lovely face on the ole
woman's shoulder shaking with nerV'
Gus fright.
"He does not like to see me here
He threatens me with his eyes. He
will drive me from this place. I fee
It, He will kill me. if he can! Ant
he is so terribly like another person
that | remember!
MY poor girl!" cried Mrs. Eliicott
what foolish things are you saying"
Mignon collected her wits by an eff
fort and tried to smile.
'It is all my silly fancy! Since you
son is dead. he cannot begrudge th'
shelter of his mothers house to poo
me. And one often finds a queer re-
semblance in the faces Of utter strang
ers. See! I am.nOt afraid Of him now.
She shot a defiant look at the picture