Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-23
CHAPTER I.
ESTABLISHED 1865.


one of the saddest is this incident
which happened to me some ten years
ago.
In following up a criminal case ten
years since, l was compelled to go to
America.
was going to New York, and great
friend of mine, Charlie Bellairs, offer
ed to give me an introduction to his
brother, Austin Bellairs, who had
married a New York beauty, and was
comfortably settled there. That Of
fer was gratefully accepted. Charlie
wrote off a long letter to his brother
asking him to take especial care OF
me, and show me what American hos
pitality was like.
When l reached that we'll known city,
Mr.. Austin Bellairs was there to meet
me.
My purpose in writing this story is
not to give any description of America
or New York, which leave to abler
pens: it is merely to relate what l
tnOuBnl very Sul iOuS AiSiNSN'
Mr.. Bellairs welcomed me warmly.
He would not hear of my going to an
hotel or taking lodging. Il was Char
lies friend" he said "and Charles
friend was welcome as Charles self.
His wife was expecting me, my rooms
were ready, and 1 must 60"
went. Austin Bellairs, with his
family, resided in a house on Fifth
avenue, a house that gave me the i'm
preston Of wealth and comfort. The
welcome received was wonderful. Mrs.
Bellairs, who had been a beauty and
an heiress, was a beauty still. l was
charmed with her still lovely face and
graceful manners.
During dinner the conversation turn
ed upon children. The great house
was so still and quiet, my first impress
sion was that there were no children
Austin Bellairs spoke Of them pres
emily. and told me that he had eight.
MY eldest daughter is II years old"
he said, too young to be admitted to
the dinner table, but you will see them
all at dessert"
II have an excellent governess," said
Mrs. Bellairs; she has been with me
two years. and the children are very
much attached to her."
Talk of English beauty" said Mr..
Bellairs: IT consider our governess a
perfect specimen of it"
only that her beauty is half spoiled
by the sadness of her expression.
have never seen a face so sad in all
my life"
Unconsciously l found myself think
ing of this beautiful woman, wonder
ing what she was like. l imagined l
might perhaps see her when the chill
dren came in. Yes, Mrs. Bellairs sent
her compliments to Miss Forsyth, and
it would be pleasant if she would ac-
company the children to dessert.
L plead guilty to watching the door
anxiously. Whenever was man in
different to the charm of lovely face?
| was disappointed. Presently the
children came down, but no gOverness
with them.
heard the eldest girl Miss Laura
Bellairs, give a message to her mother.
Miss Forsyth would be much oblig-
ed if Mrs. Bellairs would kindly excuse
her-she had violent headache"
Claude, the eldest son, heard the
message. and laughed aloud.
Miss Forsyth always has a head
ache mamma, when any English gen
tleman comes. 1t does not ache for
the Americans"
Claude was properly rebuked, and we
spent a very pleasant evening.
Il hope Miss Forsyth will feel bet
ter tomorrow" said Mrs. Bellairs. "You
will be charmed with her singing; she
has a magnificent contralto voice.
But it seemed to me that was not
destined to meet Miss Forsyth. In that
we'll managed household the children
were only seen once a day, and that
was at dessert. AS it happened that
dinner parties at home were frequent
and we went out quite often to dine
a whole week had passed. yet l had
seen nothing Of her.
1t was tantalizing to know there was
a beautiful woman in the house. yet
never once to obtain even the least
glimpse of her. l said to Mrs. Bel
lairs at last that thought her English
governess was invisible. She smiled.
Poor Miss Forsyth has not beer
we'll lately: she has been suffering Sc
verely from nervous headache, and the
very thought of society seems to dis
tress her"
Il am not society" l said
You are part Of it," laughed Mrs
Belairs.
IF Mahomet cannot go to the noun
tain, the mountain must go to Maho'
met" l said to myself. Il will SET
Miss Forsyth"
Two days after that one Of the little
children, in the most innocent manner
possible, asked me how long l wa:
going to stay A suspicion darteC
across my mind that the gOverneSs hat
prompted that question. l cannot tel
how the suspicion arose, but l could
not avert it.
The same day l was passing through
the hall when l saw tall, veiled lad!
coming down the broad staircase. Sh'
was dressed for going out; the very in
stant she saw me, she turned rount
apd went hack again.
1t might have been accidental; but
looked TO me as though it were pur
posely done.
In the evening we were alone, will
the exception of few friends. Mrs
Benairs sent again, as great favor
TO ask for Miss FOrsyths presence
among US. l smiled when the inevita
bic answer came about the headache.
This lady is purposely avoiding
me-" | thought to myself What cal
be her motive? Is she really, as theS
kindly people so honestly believe
averse to all society, or is there som