Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-14

CHAPTER VII-Continued.
standing led Mrs. Ellicott down the
stairs to the waiting carriage. The
dishonor of her son had fallen upon
the proud woman like a thunderbolt.
She spoke no word during the home
ward drive, and Susan Taylor sat be-
side her, speechless also. Many
things were perplexing the shrewd at
tendant-most of all, Miss FassePs re-
fusal to reveal the secret of her faith
less lover.
1t was plain that the unhappy girl
was seeking to hide some portion, at
least, Of Lepels baseness-also that she
knew whittier he had fed. Great in
deed was her love when she could so
lend herself to shield him, in spite OF
his shameful treatment Of her.
Poor child" thought Susan, pity
ingly. ITO be thrown over in this
heartless fashion, and she such proud
petted creature! How will she ever
hold up her high fair head again.
They reached the Beacon street
house. Evil tidings travel fast. The
frightened servants were all up, and
awaiting the return of their mistress
Mrs. Ellicott gathered them around
her in the great drawing room. In
her winking diamonds and stifr pro-
cade, her look was something horful'
as Parker, the butler, privately remark
ed. Breathlessly she questioned one
and all concerning her son.
Mr.. Lepel had left the house that
night, afoot and alone, Immediately
upon his mothers departure for WIND
mere. He was in evening dress, but
mufled in a great coat. He had spoK-
en- to no one but a footman, and his
remark to that lackey related simply
TO the inclemency Of the night. The
man had watched his young master
cross the street, and spring into
strange carriage waiting opposite. The
vehicle had rolled swiftly away-not In
the direction Of the hotel where Mr..
Lepel was to meet his best man. Thls
was all that the servants knew about
their master.
Help me up to his chamber, Susan
commanded the unhappy mother; me
may have left some word for me there.
The room wore a slightly disordered
look. The drawers of the dressing case
were open, and on buhl table beneath
the lighted chandelier some unimport-
ant papers were scattered about
Amongst these Susan found the time
table of a railway running east. Evil
IDENTIFY it had been dropped in-haste
She carried it to her mistress.
He went by this road, ma'am," she
said, with conviction.
Mrs. Ellicott crumpled the paper in
her hand.
Search everywhere for something
more" she said, feverishly. But Susan
searched in vain. Nothing more was
found. Lepel Ellicott had gone, with
out word to the proud, fond mater
That forgotten timetable alone pointed
the way Of his disgraceful flight.
"Oh, madam" said Susan, in deep
compassion, "let me help you to bed
YOU are worn out-you can bear no
more"
Mrs. Ellicott shook her head.
"I shall not sleep tonight, Susan.
You must watch with me. Mr. Lepel
will surely send me tidings before
morning explanations. He could not,
he would not, leave me long in this
cruel suspense!"
Susan looked grim. She, for one,
needed no explanations. The whole
matter was frightfully clear to her. Mr..
Lepel had left the city by that eastern
road. At the last moment, and after
q sharp struggle with his better self
for Susan loved her young master too
we'll not to credit him with struggle
he had deserted the aristocratic bride
who waited for him at Windmere, to
fy to another woman-yes, how could
she doubt TITO the original Of the
photograph in the hair trunk above
stairs!
Hour after hour passed, and still the
two women sat in that great silent
house, expecting they knew not what.
The rain beat, the wind roared through
the trees across the grand old street.
Midnight struck.
"Hark!" whispered Mrs. Ellicott.
CHASTITY and strange she looked in
the rich dress which she had not
thought to change, with all her dia-
monds blazing, and with a premonition
Of impending woe in her eyes. She
clutched her servants arm, and began
to listen breathlessly.
81 hear nothing. ma'am," quavered
Susan.
Turn up the lights. tell you some
body is coming"
Susan arose to obey. AS he did so
the bell pealed sharply. Yea, mes
senger stood at the Ellicott door.-a
bearer of sad tidings. With some
strange foreknowledge of the truth the
unhappy mother had been waiting
hours, as it seemed, for the sound of
his feet at her threshold. She arose
at once to meet the man.
You bring news of my son." she
said DO not hesitate to tell it.
need no preparation"
The messenger turned upon her 4
pale. Mortified face. He had lately
looked on evil sights. and the memory
unnerved him.
Madam" he faltered, Mr.. Lepel
Ellicott left the city tonight by the
o'clock express for the east saw
him in the depot, and later on. in the
train, as we steamed
What do l care about that?" she in
terrupted as she leaned heavily on Su-
san Taylor Tell me where he is al
the present moment"
"At a small village. madam, scme
twenty miles out of the city,"
He is il?"
mo"
Hurt"
mo, madam; he is dead!"