Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-08-21

Dy tIldl uTeduluI Hdllle- -leIe'
His lightning glance flashed over hel
gllstening little figure.
What Is the matter with the name?'
he said; "and why may 1 not speak Il
here? Good Heaven! Rose, let me
remind you of the circumstances un,
der which last saw you"
II KNOW know! I was drifting of
to sea in an oarless boat, and you were
struggling for life in deep water"
Perhaps you are not aware that
was actually accused of your murder
and held in durance for the same? But
for your cousin Bess, might have beer
violently dealt with by my accusers."
She seized his arm in sudden panic
"Oh!-oh Don't mention Bess. We
must not talk here-somebody will
come searching for me, and surprise
us. This way!"
She ran toward bow window, and
darted behind its sheltering drapery.
| Hume followed.
"I never dreamed" she gasped, "ot
seeing you again. had almost forgot
ten your existence"
THAT is fiattering!" he answered
with a half-suppressed smile. eve
parted-in the sea. We meet-at the
governors ball. Pardon me-the
meeting seems stranger than the part
ing"
you are dying to ask me how came
here" she faltered, "and in a dress like
this. have found friends-rich, pow
erful friends. You saw the letter
which wrote to Bess?"
yes"
Il was picked up in the boat, and
brought to this city. A rich lady
adopted me, and sent me to school.
live with her, and my name is Hillyer
not Rose-no!" shuddering, "but
Mignon-it pleases those who now love
me most to call me that. You must not
ask anything more. I beg you as a
gentleman, to forget that you and
ever saw each other until this mo-
ment."
He was not slow to grasp her mean
ing. His lean, tawny face grew very
grave.
you deny your own name-your
own past life. Where is Bess?"
II do not know"
"Where is Andy Gaff?"
II do not know"
Then you have ceased all communi-
cation with the people at Cape Desc
lation?"
"Yes I am no longer Of them, tell
you. You saw, with your own eyes
Mr.. Hume, how unhappy I was there
Why should you wish me to remember
the place, or anything in it?"
With faint, sobbing cry, she fell on
her knees, and clasped him suddenly
in two beautiful arms.
You alone know Of my past" she
said. Remain silent, and all will be
well-speak, and I am lost. Can you
a strong man, set yourself to destroy a
feeble girl? 1 ask only that you keep
out Of my way, and leave me unnoticed
It is not difficult for you to do that
What right have you to meddle in my
affairs ?-to interfere with matters
which in no way concern you? You
chanced once to see me in another place
under different circumstances. Why
need you remember it now? Rose Gaff
perished months ago in that open boat
With Mignon Hillyer you have nothing
to do. Oh, give me your word, Mr.
Hume-your word! You are upright
and honorable, and will keep it sacred
Promise to shut your lips on my poor
little setcret-promise never to betray
our former acquaintance to anyone!"
In spite of her theatrical attitude his
old pity for her revived instantly
| Genuine anguish thrilled her voice
whitened her young face. She was In
some false position, playing some dou-
BILE game, and, alas! struggling still
against the chains which bound her
| Could he consent to aid her-lend him
self to her deceit? No; but her beauty
and her despair touched him deeply.
"Rose," he said, lifting her, pale and
|
| God that I had not met you tonight!
1t was an unlucky chance which
brought me to this ball. Mind you,
have not danced before since the even
ing at the fishhouse. Stop crying-you
drive me wild! This is bad business
do not like it. With what person, OF
persons. have you found a home?"
with a woman-kind, rich, gener-
Gus. I love her very dearly, and she
loves me-"
And what story have you told hel
about yourself?"
"I decline to answer" she replied
pale but defiant"
my poor child, it is all plain to me
You have concealed your marriage
and assumed the role Of a free wo-
man."
And if l have?" she answered. with
an uneasy play Of color, in her pale
face. "the deceit is an innocent one
for it concerns only myself"
Rose" he said with pateral grav-
ity, "let us reason together. You have
the beauty of a Circe; cannot you see
that you invite great peril by the
course you are pursuing? God knows
pity you; but
"Oh, If you pity me-" she cried
snatching the words from his lips
keep my secret Nigel Hume!-for the
love Of God, keep my secret!"
She was madly importunate. His
whole nature revolted against hurting
anything so lovely so unfortunate. lr
the ballroom the music rose and fell
the dancers still capered over the wax
ed floors. In that curtained window
Hume stood with the girl In silver
white gazing down upon her, sorel!
perpleXed.
"Now listen to me-" he said, at last
'I can promise but one thing-to trea
you as kindly as though you were m!
own sister I am not the person Il
follow you about and make unpleasant
| disclosures-put that thought out o
your mind at once. l shall not harn
YOU, but l must keep you from dolnt
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