Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-28
CHAPTER XIV.
The Fishhouse Dance.

Inc IIlOOn WAS ElSluS dUONc lHC 6ioJ,
gloomy sea. A heavy surf broke on
the beach, filling the air with briny
mist, very detrimental to Rose Gaff' 8
muslin gown and new ribbons, as she
daintily picked her way, in the wake
Of Uncle Caleb and Bess Hillyer, down
the path leading to the fishhouse. The
old building seemed fairly clean, but
certain odors in the atmosphere be-
trayed it's original uses. Kerosene
lamps burned here and there; the
moon, too, thrust long shafts Of light
through the windows and doors. Some
one had strewn the floor with beach
sand Rose looked into the place
with eager, seeking eyes.
The benches ranged against the wall
were already filled with maids, ma
irons and cape fishermen. On a win
dow ledge sat the fiddler, tuning his
jevial instrument. Roses fair face
fell
He is not here, Bess," she whis-
pered, in keen disappointment
"Who?" said Bess.
why, Mr.. Hume, of course. He
said he would come. I promised him
the first dance" And she looked ready
to cry.
you foolish child! Never mind Mr..
Hume. Go in and talk to those cove
people-your neighbors and friends"
Those cove people!" echoed Rose,
dsdainfully. II have nothing to say to
them-they can say nothing to me that
I wish to hear I despise them ALL"
She sat down on the nearest bench,
her rare, delicate beauty looking
strangely out of place in such humble
surroundings, and continued to watch
the door,
Presently the fiddle uttered a prepar-
atory shrek. There was a rush for
partners. At the same moment two
blown, breathless figures appeared on
the threshold Of the fishhouse Rose,
regardless Of appearances, ran 10 meet
them. J
"Oh, Mr.. Hume, 1 feared you were
not comingi" she said. +
Have I kept you waiting?" Hume
answered, regretfully. "As usual, the
wind is blowing a gale out on the cliffs
feared we should never reach these
halls Of dazzling mirth Jack has been
repeatedly whisked off his legs; and
as for myself, why, there's nothing left
Of me worth mentioning" Neverthe-
less, he caught her briskly round the
waist and whirled her into the dance.
A wild rush Of feet on the sanded floor
a giddy swish Of feminine draperies, a
most unpleasant cloud Of dust shaken
out of the worm eaten timbers by the
galloping dancers, and the fishhouse
ball had fairly begun.
Bess Hillyer leaned against the wall
and watched her cousin with anxious
disapproving eyes.
The young girl was flying around In
the arms of Hume, like bit Of thistle
down. A soft pink palpitated in her
oval cheek; her yellow hair chung in
disheveled rings to her white forehead;
her dark eyes shone dangerously.
You are among these cape folks"
said Hume, involuntarily, "but not Of
them."
She gave him a grateful look.
quite true. You, at least, under
stand me- At times I am mad to es-
cape from my life here. 1 long to run
away, and leave everything. Would I
be justified in doing so, do you Think"
He was little startled by the earn
estness of her tone.
ooh, now you JEST" he answered
you could not run away from your
uncle and Miss Hillyer and-your hus-
band"
She heaved a great sigh, but did not
answer Her golden head reached just
to his shoulder: his arm clasped her.
both hearts beat high. Hume danced
we'll on all occasions, and with this
girl in his embrace, how could he do
otherwise than surpass himself? She
was as light as air, as soft as velvet.
Her beauty, even while it left his heart
unmoved, intoxicated him like wine.
Bess might watch the pair Indignantly
might make Intellectual signs for
them to stop-neither needed her.
The fiddle struck up merry waits.
In the midst Of it something dropped
from a little velvet chatelaine bag
which Rose wore at 1er side-a letter,
scented with violets. AS Hume picked
it up he glanced involuntarily at the
address. Where had he seen that writ
ing before? With frightened cry
Rose snatched the envelope away.
"Oh, it was foolish Of me to fetch it
here" she said. 1T belongs to Bess-
it holds her fortune. Don't stare. I
mean it. There really is a fortune
folded in this bit Of paper and Bess
has only to put out her hand and take
it,"
wonderful" smiled Hume. never
dreaming that the fortune Of which
she spoke had once been offered to
himself.
Tonight" said Rose, 81 am playing
that Bess is in my place. and l in
hers. Being dreadfully envious of her
good luck, I am making believe. as
children say, that it is mine for r
time. But" with a faint grimace, ut
is unsatisfactory business"
Il should think so." he answered
She had once reproved him sharply
for his curiosity. He ventured no
questions, and she did not seem inclin-
ed to make explanations. She pushed
the letter back into the chatelaine bag,
and the waltz went on.
Meanwhile Jack Harold had made
his way to the bench whereon the sail
or girl sat.
"Heavensl" he grumbled, what ca
pering! And this dust Of many gen.
erations, mingled with the oily odors
of long dead fish-how good it is for
one! l am quite choked. Come out
side, Miss Hillyer, where we can
breathe"
With a start she remembered the
words that he had said to her at the
pOstoffice. Unresisting, he drew her
to the door and out into the moonlight.
There she paused, confronting the In