Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-08-25
CHAPTER XVII.
A Letter.

few adroit questions, had made hersel
possessor Of the major portion
Hume's experience with his aunt.
"The young fellow is becoming IA
nous in his profession" said Fassel
good-naturedly.
"Bellamy, for some unknown reason
has thrust him into great prominence,
replied Mrs. Ellicott, coldIy.
Mignon, nestled in a corner OF th'
carriage, was thinking. Now tina
Hume had discovered her position II
the Ellicott household, his sense o.
honor would bind him anew to silence
Should he whisper aught against her
he would certainly be accused OF jeal'
ousy and malice, and desire to GUS
her from the place which he had lost
and still secretly coveted. His rela'
ton to Mrs. Ellicott was an unpleasant
discovery, but as matters now stooC
betwixt aunt and nephew, she had lit
tie to fear from that tie Of blood. Hume
would recognize her right to the name
of Hillyer, without suspecting that sht
was personating Bess. AS the danger
thickened, the girls courage seemed tc
rise
Like a desperate gambler, she deter
mined to play the game on to the bit
ter end.
Fassel followed the two ladies into
the drawing room. Morning had come
but he could not leave Mrs. Ellicott
without parting word.
"I beg you will not keep me waiting
long for this little hand" he said, as
he led Mignon up to the old dame.
"Ah," she sighed, must I lose the
child Just as she has become essential
to my happiness? 1 feel disposed tc
quarrel with you. Paget, and at the
same time it makes me glad to know
that she has won a heart like yours
Now you will quit rowing, will you not
and settle down to civilized life?"
He shook his head.
"I cannot promise that, but Mignon
has consented to share my wanderings
She wishes to see the world-my world
of adventure and discovery. WHITTIER
1 go, she will go also"
With a face as white as her dress
Mignon clung suddenly, nervously, to
her lover.
Yes, yes! take me far away. where
no one can find mel want to begin
new, new life! 1 also want our en-
eagement kept secret. Nobody must
know that have promised to marry
You but Edith-your sister,"
MY dear!" cried Mrs. Ellicott
aghast.
Mignon began to sob.
rs it such a great thing to ask?
What has the public-what has So
ciety to do with my happiness!
Strangers shall not talk about 1t! II
YOU refuse me this little favor you Will
make me miserable
LET her have her way, Mrs. Eli
cott." said Fassel tenderly DO not
oppose or thwart her in anything. Her
wishes are mine"
Mrs. Ellicott yielded the point with
a sigh.
Very we'll. Let me at least hope
that you will not take Mignon from me
for a long time to come"
"a long time?" he echoed, joyfully
"Ah, no! In a very short time!
must start for the ruins of Zapatero
next month, and not alone-not with
out Mignon!"
Next MONTH" cried Mrs Ellicott, in
dismay. And pray, where is zapa-
tero-in Central Africa?"
lie laughed.
Not half the distance-no further
away, in fact, than Nicaragua. Its
monolithic idols
"Paget, was it for this that 1 first
told you about Elizabeth Hillyer. and
begged you to find her at Cape Desola-
ton? How can this dainty, delicate
girl consent to leave all the luxury with
which l have surrounded her, and fare
forth to explore the wild places of the
earth with you? What does she know
or care about ancient ruins and mono
lthic idols?"
"She knows about love-" he an
swered, exultantly, his gray eyes shin
ing with the light that never was on
sea nor land, and she will follow
whittier it leads"
rs this true, Mignon?" sighed Mrs
Ellicott.
1T is true" the girl faltered.
And so Nhe matter was settled. Mig
mons engagement was to be brief and
secret. her marriage strictly private
and then Fassel would Immediately
carry his bride away. Neither the
enamored lover nor the indulgent ben
efactress thought for moment OF op-
posing the girls wishes. Everything
should be arranged as she desired.
With weary step Mignon ascendeo
70 the chamber where Fffine was walt
ing to disrobe her.
"Mademoiselle has had one grand
triumph" ventured the sleepy maid
as she took off the girls ball dress
and brought forward the embroidered
night robe, which had been hanging
before the dressing-room fire.
Don't ask me, Fifne," Mignon an
swered; my head is in a whirl-helI
me to bed"
Paget Fassel loved her! Oh. the rap
ture and the terror Of that thought!
And she, like Elaine, had
lifted up her eyes.
love
was her doom"
What was Andy Gaff. that he shoult
stand betwixt her and such happiness
What was her marriage but horrible
mOckery?
He is not my husband" she said t'
herself. in fierce rebellion. i VIII o'
bound no longer to creature Vold o.
sense and reason. l will break my
letters. since nobody ever pitied me
enough to lose them for me. If he Il
dead-well: and if he lives, Will new
re again acknowledge his claim upof
me. Paget Fassel will carry me far De
yond the risk Of discovery. and shoult
the worst come l can throw myself OF
his love and pity. He cannot refus'