Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-17
He grew a shade paler.

NNe~A
must be mad to choose me, Of all men,
for Miss Fassel's next suitor. I swear
t. you. 1 have not the effrontery for
such a role" Then, waxing vehement,
II would rather be shot than attempt
it! You will have to excuse meas
Heaven hears me, you will"
For months she had been cherishing
her plan in secret. His prompt oppo-
sition filled her with rage and disap-
pointment.
"This is the first command ever
laid upon you," she said, bitterly, "and
you Immediately refuse to obey me!
Hitherto, Miss Fassel has been con-
sidered by the world at large rara
avis-a wonderful creature. What good
thing do you find lacking in her?
Youth ?-beauty"-
rStop, 1 beg you God knows she
lacks nothing. You purposely misun-
derstand me-"
when you first entered this house."
she cried, raising her voice to a shrill
staccato, II was careful to ask If you
were heart whole. You assured me
that you were"
IT spoke the truth" he answered,
gIoomily.
F"And yet"-with accession Of wrath
-"you refuse to approach Miss Fassel
IN the character Of lover?"
81 refuse!"
"She does not suit your fastldlous
taste e?"-mockingly. You, the son Of
a penniless country surgeon, deliberate
ly slight belle and an heiress, whose
place is at the very top Of the social
ladder"
He made no answer.
I'm short, you will not attempt to
redeem Lepel's honor?"
ut cannot be DONE" he replied, with
a bitterness born of the tumult which
she had aroused within him. mo man
who respects himself would undertake
the task!"
In a towering passion she rose from
her chair.
migrate! Say it again, that I may
be certain my ears have not deceived
me; you will not try to WOO Miss Fas-
sel?"
"I will mott"
"You give up the Elllcott fortune
sooner than ask her to marry?"
Most cheerfully."
There was a sudden movement on
the other side Of the portiere, as though
some person had pushed back chair
suddenly. Mrs. Ellicott started
changed countenance. The sound
seemed to remind her Of something
which, in the excitement Of the mo-
ment, she had forgotten. She limped
to the curtain, dashed 1t back, and on
the other side of that abominable
drapery Hume saw-would he ever for
get the sight?-Edith Fassel, in street
dress, standing with one gloved hand
on the chair from which she had just
risen, and the other pressed against
her heart. She had heard every word
of the conversation in the adjoining
room.
& Edith! Edith" cried Mrs. Ellicott,
In a frightened voice. "T quite forgot
that you were waiting here-1 did, In
deed!"
It was useless for Hurne to call upon
the earth to open and swallow him.
Without word-for he was past
speaking-he seized his hat and rush.
ed from the house.
Mrs. Ellicott limped up to the mo-
tionless figure, and threw her arms
around it.
How could you?" said Edith Fassel,
in a low, broken voice. "Oh, Mrs ELL
colt, how could you-after all that l
have endured in the past?"
Edith, you break my heart! Yes,
II was a foolish scheme-an outrage
an INSULT acknowledge 1t now. For
give me. found 1t impossible to re-
sign you wholly. and since you could
never be my daughter, by this way l
thought to keep you always near me.
You know how Lepel's falsity Wrung
nv heart. I dreamed that Hume-but
no, 1 will not offend your ears with
his name He is weighed in the bal
ance and found wanting. From this
moment I wash my hands Of him!"
Miss Fassel struggled hard for COM
posure. Perhaps the compassion which
she felt for Lepel Ellicott's mother
overcame her natural Indignation and
wounded pride.
"Oh, Edith, cannot you pardon the
blunder of a heartbroken old woman?
groaned Mrs. Ellicott. Yours Is
wonderfully sweet and generous ma
ture"
The tears shone in Miss Fassers
brown eyes. She leaned and kissed her
friend
Promise never to Speak Of this hour
so long as we both shall live, and l
will pardon you with my whole heart,
Mrs Ellicott."
II promise, dearest child"
Ten minutes later Miss Fassel had
taken her departure from the house.
Mrs. Ellicott, left alone In the draw
ing room, rang the bell for Susan Tay-
lor.
"I must see my lawyer, Mr. Steph-
ems, Immediately, Susan" she said, as
that scraggy female appeared In haste.
1T is long past office hours-send
messenger at once to his house"
Lord above! ma'am, hope no new
unpleasantness has happened to you!
ventured Susan, in sudden fright.
Many things have happened Susan"
replied her mistress, but the principal
one is this-the Ellicott fortune Is
again without an heir!'
TO be Continued.
RIP VAN WINKLE.-Rip Van Wrinkle
II oln 1nnRinO