Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-09-08

| me, and that l cOulQ never lOpe "
make myself worthy of you. Yet you
offered me your love, and how could
refuse such a gift Andy Gaff was a
nightmare horror to me-nothing more.
could not make myself seem like a
wife-his wife. Oh. Paget you did love
me yesterday-judge me kindly to-
night From the rest of the world
ask no mercy; but yOu-oh, say that
YOU will not quite hate and despise
mel"
Hate? l could not do that, if 1
would" he answered; neither is 1t
possible for me to think of you other
wise than kindly, Mignon. God forbid
that should pass judgment upon you
Since we must part forever, why waste
these our last moments together in
useless reproaches?"
Her eyes dilated.
Our last moments? What do you
mean?"
You cannot be so dull as to misun-
derstand me-" he answered, almost
harshly. Il leave the country tomor-
row."
But you will take me with you
you will not leave me behind? Moth
ing remains to me but you-if you,
too, cast me off, 1 must die"
"Mignon!"
Let me go with you, as you plan
ned, before Lepel Ellicott appeared"
she entreated, wildly. Il was to have
been your wife in the morning. Let
me go with you, Paget-I belong to
you. Have you not sworn to love me
always? See your ring" lifting her
trembling hand in the freight. mo
one shall take it from my finger While
1 live You only can be my husband,
for 1 love you, and you alone. I will
follow you to the ends Of the earth
yes, to death itself, if need be-"
"Mignon, my poor child" He was
pale as ashes, but he unclasped her
clinging arms, and put her firmly from
him. You do not know what you
say-all this misery is driving you
mad. You are Lepel Ellicotts wife
you cannot follow another man. You
must go back to Mrs. Ellicott, or to
that cousin, Bess Hillyer, of whom you
talked tonight"
Never Never!"
She clung to him anew, trembling
and weeping. In vain he tried to rea-
son with her-in vain Edith Fassel
sought to soothe and comfort her.
She was delirious with terror and mis-
cry. For the first time Fassel knew
how desperately this girl loved him.
Light and shallow as she had always
seemed, there were tragic depths in
her nature, after all.
IF you cast me from you l will not
try to live!" she cried, again and again.
Then she turned upon Edith with
the impatience born Of utter misery.
How can you guess what I suffer-"
she said. You never did anything
amiss, Queenie-you do not even know
what love is-lOve like mine, which
means more than name or fame, or life
itself to me. No, you cannot compre-
hend it-you live in a different world
above the things that torture and dis
tract weaker women"
A flash of crimson appeared for an
instant in Edith Fassers cheek.
You are wrong-wrong! she an
swered. with unwonted vehemence;
but let it pass. Listen to reason
You will not? Then Paget, being still
sane, must think and act for you"
Fassel looked down into the white
face uplifted imploringly to his own.
will you send me away?" she Sob
bed.
Il must"
Then you have ceased to love me?"
II love you more than ever before
that is why we must part, Mignon."
The word was like an arrow in her
heart.
Parting is DEATH" she shivered.
"Oh, love. love! How cruel you are! /
come to you, homeless, hopeless, for
saken by all, stripped Of everything
with no "efuge but your breast
he interrupted SleTnlS.
You may not know it, Mignon, but
you are driving me wild! 1 will or
der the carriage. and you must go back
Immediately to Mrs. Ellicott's house"
Edith interposed.
Remember how far she has walked
tonight. 1t is stOrming hard, and the
hour is late. She is greatly exhausted.
Let her stay with me till morning.
will send a messenger to Mrs. Ellicott,
with word that she is safe here at
Windmere."
He gave his sister a pale, grateful
look.
Il myself will be your messenger
Gently he put Mignon into the near
est chair. She neither resisted nor
pleaded further She was like one
stupefed.
Good bye" he said, with eyes avert
ed from her. "Mignon, goodbye"
Good bye, dear love-" she answer
ed.
And so Paget Fassel passed from her
presence. out into a night as dark as
that which had settled on his own
heart.
Edith gathered Mignon into her arms.
You are quite worn out" she said,
soothingly: come and rest. Perhaps
the morning will bring you new hope"
A smile sadder than tears appeared
on Mignons wan face.
There is no longer any hope for
me-" she said. Il have had my day"
Then she slipped her chilly hand into
that of the elder girl. But | will do
as you like 1t is kind of you to pity
me-to cry for me-you have always
been kind since the hour l first saw
you l bless you for it now. Others
may think YOU proud and cold. but l
| know better"
"Oh, my poor child" groaned Edith
| FaSsel, what good can my tears or my
pity do you now? Come" with forced
composure. I'VE must not talk any
more. You will be i'll if YOU do not
sleep. Your long, solitary walk to
Windmere at dead Of night was dread