Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-17

land the donkey boys or CAIRO; you
know you quite loved those donkey
boys, Aunt Latimer" with a merry lit
tie laugh.
The elder woman regarded her niece
with fond, indulgent eyes
1.-The very incest thing I remember"
she said, cheerfully, happened one
night when we went to see the pyra-
mids and the Sphinx by moonlight.
There was bridge-Kasr-el-Nil 1t was
called-and an avenue Of acacias,
which some khedive planted for the
Empress Eugenie; and the Nile was as
white as silver, and the vast sands and
the Arab mud huts under the date
palms were all very picturesque. A
tall Bedouin, in a curious white gar
ment, wanted to run up and down the
pyramid for our amusement or instruc-
ton, l forget which, and he demanded
ten piastres for his trouble. In search
ing your purse, you discovered Lepei
Ellicotts engagement ring. You threw
1t into the Nile-a very wise act, too,
and one that surely broke some evil
spell. Old Father Nile seemed to cast
benign influence upon you at once,
for after that night I never saw you
out of spirits again"
The blank silence which followed
this reminiscence recalled poor Aunt
Latimer to her senses. "Oh, dear!"
she stammered, "the person who talks
too much Is always sure to say some
thing wrong. Pray, pardon me, Edith,
and give Mr. Hume another cup Of tea
| Il am sure he likes 1t strong and hot
Had his life been the forfeit, Hume
could not have refrained from one swift
glance at Edith Fassel. Her face was
calm and unmoved. She replenished
the teacups with a steady hand, and
then began to feed the collie dogs with
the last Of the cakes.
The repast under the roses ended-it
was time to say good-by.
Aunt Latimer gave Hume a friendly
hand at parting, and begged him to
come again. Miss Fassel repeated the
invitation, but without warmth. He
cast one last look at her, as she stood
leaning against the rose-wreathed
balustrade, her dull-blue gown and
golden girdle shining In the sunset
light; then, feeling as though the gare
of an enchanted land had closed upon
him, he strobe off down the driveway
and took the road back to town.
For a week after he kept closely to
his studies, and forgot to visit the Bea-
con Street house. At the end Of that
time note from Mrs. Ellicott stiffiy
reminded him of his neglect
81 wish to see you Immediately" she
wrote, ION business of Importance. I
shall leave the city shortly for my
Newport villa, and there are matters
which I must arrange with you before
my departure"
Hume read these words, and felt
somehow, that a crisis was at hand
He made haste to meet 1t.
In the dusk Of the summer twilight
he-for the last time-entered the ELL
colt drawing room. 1t was empty, but
murmur Of voices behind the portiere
which separated that apartment from
the library told him that his aunt was
not far away. Presently she pushed
back the curtain and limped in, looking
more feeble than ever.
81 have not seen you for week.
she began, with some asperity
He hastened to push her favor1te
chair into place.
II could not help it," he answered,
mendaciously. Il am not a brilliant
fellow, you know make my way only
by hard and diligent study"
sit down beside me. have call
ed you tonight for a special reason
II Is time for us to understand each
other"
Quite true" he answered, quietly
MY mind is made up, Nigel. You
shall be my heir, on one condition.
Name It,"
II have chosen a wife for you. Marry
her, and 1 will ask nothing more"
For moment he seemed too as
IOuuuSu W lCpiy' 1fSti "
smile curved his well-cut lips.
my dear aunt, you snatch away my
breath A wife? You are very good
too good, for, pardon me, l have no
desire for such a possession"
Il ask you to marry-no, command
it," she cried, pounding the floor with
her gold headed stick. Don't advance
objections-I know what 1 am talking
about"
Then you have the advantage Of
me-" he answered.
She laid one hand impresslvely on his
arm.
Let me explain. You are already
aware that your cousin Lepel at the
time Of his death, was betrothed to the
richest single woman in the country?"
| "Yes"
| when Edith Fassel lay in her cradle
I was planning to marry her to my
son. l loved the girl-have always
loved her as a daughter. I need not
speak of Lepers madness-it is mys-
terry which has never been solved and
never will be, perhaps. l will simply
say that l want you to marry Miss Fas-
sci, and atone so far as you can, for
Lepels conduct. You are his success
sor in this house. Take his bride, as
well as his observation-disclosures at once
suitor for Edith Fassers hand; pur-
sue her till she is won, and every dol
lar that l possess shall be yours. The
Ellicott fortune, united with Miss Fas-
sells, will make you enormously rich.'
He sat as though turning to stone,
Darkness was fast gathering in the
room. On the mantel timepiece OF
tortoiseshell and brass licked with loud
insistence.
why do you look at me like that
cried Mrs Elllcott, sharply. speak
say something, and at once"
my dear aunt. did it ever occur 10
you that Miss Fassel may have had
quite enough Of the Ellicott family and