Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-11-10
Il followed your footsteps, my boy

| kind"
But mine is imperative and l hav'
but a day to devote to it," answered
Vaunce, with exasperating GOODNESS
"Halstead, if Miss Guenther will b.
so kind as to excuse you, and you vii
take a turn on the beach with me,
will enlighten you as to my coming II
the Crags."
! Ethel turned like a princess. TIT
hour of ruin had surely come-heI
dream was at an end. She caught th'
last look of both-Vaunce's cool ant
exulting; Halsteads wondering, bu
unutterably tender; then she climbed
the stairs to her own room, blindly
and threw herself PROSTATE on the
floor, with her face in the dust
1t grew dark. Footsteps came VI
from supper; dresses rustled on the
balconies-a thread Of talk and light
laughter stole in through the shutters
Presently some one knelt beside the
PROSTATE girl and lifted her up.
My dear! my dear!" cried Aunt
Dilloway.
Ethel pushed back her hair with
long, shuddering sigh.
And you have been drowned, al
most, and l never knew a word Of 1t,
said the aghast lady
Aunt Dilloway, Mac Vaunce is
here"
Il know it-I have seen him."
Ethel sat down on the foot Of the
bed facing Aunt Dilloway.
What is to be done?"
Nothing" said Aunt Dilloway
wringing her hands, unless, indeed
you marry him, Ethel!'
Aunt Dilloway I am engaged tc
Erne Halstead!"
Ethel"
Mrs. Dilloway rose up and went to
the window hurriedly-her face was
pale with pain; then she came back
and stood before Ethel.
My child, he is the man above al
others who ought never to have cross
ed your path"
"Why?"
why! Oh, my poor girl, do you
know why we fled this place from
Mac Vaunce?"
II know" cried Ethel, clenching hai
small hands, that my father has done
some wrong, and that Mac Vaunce has
knowledge of it."
1T does not matter how soon you
hear the story-the world will know II
tomorrow-God help us!"
Ethel caught her arm.
And the wrong-what was 1t"
fiercely.
MY dear, my dear, it was crime!
John Halstead had been our tried, tried
friend for years, and so suspicion turn
ed from our door first of all. have
lived years since then under your faith
ers roof, but Ethel, 1 never knew the
truth till today!"
What is it-what is it?" cried Ethel
mad with impatience. The tears fel
hot on Mrs. Dilloway's cheek.
"A great forgery, child, which star
tied the whole city, committed on Johr
Halstead. 1t was years ago, but I re-
member it as if it were yesterday. The
forger was never discovered. Johr
Halstead was ruined, and went dowr
to the grave in poverty, leaving to Erne
and that blind child only the legacy Of
his wrong. My poor Ethel"
Not a word or motion from the Still
figure on the bed.
Your father had lost large sums
of money-bankruptcy was staring hin
in the face-he was tempted and fell!
man was arrested for the crime
clerk in Halstead's office, but there was
no evidence to convict him; it was the
brother Of Mac Vaunce. Now, wha
can we hope from him?'
Aunt Dilloway laid her hand on Eth
els bowed head They were silent fol
long time.
"If you refuse to marry MAJ
Vaunce," said Mrs. Dilloway presently
tomorrow he will proclaim our ruiz
to the world. You know now that Ernt
Halstead would never marry you-anc
your father, Ethel, it will kill him.
Ethel rose up, interrupting her will
a quick gesture-her eyes maddened
her face blanched with its own despair
Il will marry Mac Vaunce!" sh'
cried out.
It was a cruel, pitiless thing! He
aunt's face darkened with remorse.
my dear child, what can we do?'
she said.
GO away-leave me-" answered
Ethel.
But, my love-
"Oh. do go" like cry.
Her aunt opened the door reluctant
". Some one leaning against tn, wal
near il, waiting with folded arms ant
very pale face, turned eagerly.
Mr.. Halstead!" she cried, aghast.
81 know ALL" he said, hurriedly. "Car
l see her?"
"No," answered Mrs. Dilloway, put
ting him kindly back. You cannot SCI
her: YOU must never see her again
Mr.. Halstead."
Never! Great God! What do yo'
mean?"
"Erne, she can never marry you
What has Mac Vaunce told youE
She shall never marry any one else
Mrs. Dilloway. Told me?-a story o
some crime long concealed-some fam
ily disgrace. What is that to me? ID
YOU think it will alter my love?"
He did not know, then. Mrs. Dbl
loway drew a deep breath.
Good night" she said, turning
away: 1T will end tomorrow"
.,ne meant the tangled skein OF sur
rounding circumstances. Yes, but hu
man foresight is dim at best.
Mrs. Dilloway watched by Mr.. Guen
theirs bedside the whole night through
He had grown too weak and Ill to p'
left alone now, and in this hour, aboV'
all others. she knew her place wa
there with him. Mac Vaunce's arriva
at the Crags had not been Whispered
| there--he lay sleeping as unconsclou
pf the presence of the avenger as l
| 4 ncitooa gVenRe.