Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-09-04
Bv ETA W.. PIERCE
j. j. i i

y
came back from cruising along the
Maine coast, three years and more ago.
She's going to marry Mr.. Paget Fassel
in this house tomorrow morning"
Tomorrow morning."
"Yes, and rush off with him to Cen
trail America!
Great Heaven! 1 have not come
any too soon, them"
Mr. Lepel, 1 knew there was some
thing 'twixt that girl and you. found
the little card when you lost it. More
| over she couldn't bear the sight of
your portrait after she came here
tainted at the first glimpse of it, and
coaXed your mother to remove it from
the drawing room"
He set his teeth.
Go now about your own business,
Susan, and try to appear as though
you had not met and talked with a
;host. But keep somewhere in the vi
cinity of the library. for I may need
you"
He left her gazing after him in a
blank, bewildered way, as though she
was still struggling to comprehend the
astounding temperance of a man long
lost and long mourned, and, stealthily
as a thief. he made his way to his
mothers library.
The library was empty!
His vacant chair stood before brass
mounted. slender legged Chippendale
desk: against it leaned her ebony
walking stick She had gone to the
table without her customary support
He looked around Everything in the
handsome room was unchanged. Again
he was in his own familiar place-his
native atmosphere. All, what an abyss
yawned betwixt this hour and the time
when he had last stood there? For
tunately, none of the servants were
about. He stepped behind the portiere
which hung betwiXt library and draw
ing-room, and composed himself, as
best he could. to wait.
Presently he heard a murmur Of
-laughter-footsteps. The sounds
grew louder. The dinner. party enter
ed the drawing g-roOm-Mrs. Ellicott
feeble and halting; Paget Fassel, ele-
giant, distingue, supporting her with
gentle Difference. His bronzed face was
radiant with some great happiness.
After them came Edith, stately and
white, like a lily-altogether the same
as of old She passed so near the por-
| 1al
feel the soft swish of her draperies and
smell the knot Of ViOlets in her cor
sage. The three made a group on the
| tiger skin rug; but where was Rose?
Cautiously he pushed aside the curtain
the fraction of an inch. Surely the
loud beating of his heart would betray
his hiding place. But nobody looked
that way.
Mrs. EllicOtt moved toward her ia
vorite fauteuil, and the Fassel brother
and sister made haste to bring her foot
stool and arrange her cushions.
What has become of MignOn?" she
asked.
Il saw ner just now vanishing up
the STAIR" replied Edith Fassel
Little WITCH" said Mrs. Ellicott,
fondly why does she run away from
US at this particular moment, and on
oar last evening together? l dare say
she is plotting mischief"
They waited expectantly for a space.
"She is coming!" said Edith Fassel;
and in from the hall glided something
white as ocean foam, dazzling as sun
shine-a snowy, luStrOus, laughing
creature. trailing billows of satin and
lace behind her as she came, and with
| two great mischievOus eyes, glancing
from a cObweb film-a wonderful hoar-
frost texture. which she had cOquettish-
lly gathered about her yellow head.
Mignon in her bridal dress, and love-
lier than she had ever looked before in
all her life!
A cry broke from one and all. and
Paget Fassel, with eyes of passionate
love. rushed to the beautiful vision.
"Mignon!"
rs it becoming?" she laughed, as she
spread out the splendid fabric with two
pretty, dimpled hands Am | quite
charming in it? l knew l could create
an AFTER dinner sensation by appearing
before you in this garb. Look at Edith
l-she is shocked. She thinks it bad
!. taste. and ominous of evil, too, to be
seen in ones wedding gown before the
: wedding day"
Edith Fassel stood gazing at the
young beauty in pale disapprOval. She
was thinking of Nigel Hume's warning
/ how he had declared that Mignon
could never marry her brother.
God forbid an innocent act like this
should mean i'll to you" she said, try
ing to smile; and there is no one to
: see you. dear, save the three who love
YOU best in the world'-
The port: re was flung violently back.
"PardOn-there is one other" said
: voice; and under the curtain man
appeared gazing with stern, fixed face
| straight into the drawing room. APP
palling moment, Every eye was riv-
> eted on the apparit1on. Mignon, whittier
than her bridal fleece, recOiled with a
t frightful scream. Her guilty heart
seemed dying within her Not her help
less idiot husband, but Andre Gautier,
the old time lover, the gay and gallant
/ vachtsman. stood there. transfXing her
: with angry. accusing eyes. At the
same moment Mrs. Ellicott started up
> in her chair and stretched out her
| arms"
: "Lepcl." she cried: "Oh. Lepel, my
, som"
Yes" said Lepel Elhcott, advancing
! toward the group. your living. breath
ing son. mOther-your false, COwardly
: son. come back To you from a well-de-
served punishment. Don't be afraid of
= me Now and then a man is permitted
: to return from what seems to he the
Shadows of another world and again
take his place among his fellows.
Great Cod" as he caught her to his
? breast. this is too sudden | have
killed her."