Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-10
all sides, till on the landing above, he
found himself confronted by Mrs. Eli

colt.
"In Gods name, what has happened"
she said, in dreadful voice. "Where
Is my SOM"
II do not know, madam" replied the
newcomer. II was to wait at my hotel
tonight till he should call for me. He
did not call, but sent a messenger with
a letter addressed to Miss Fassel, and
the request that should hurry to this
house and deliver it without delay.
suppose there can be no mistake" with
a faint hope breaking through his
voice. "Lepel, after all, is not at Wind
mere before me?"
Mrs. Ellicott shook her head.
HE is not here. Where is the letter?
Perhaps it may explain this mystery"
Permit me to see Miss Fassel, and
put it in her hands, as Lepel instruct
ed me to do"
He was ushered into Miss Fassers
chamber. Hearing the noise at the
door, she stepped forward mechanically
to meet the messenger.
From Lepel," he said, and drew the
letter from his breast, and placed 1t In
her hand.
All eyes were fixed eagerly upon her.
as she tore open the envelope and read
the lines inclosed therein.
She uttered no word, made no sound,
but moving deliberately to the light
20 oh
bridegroom's letter to the fame, and
watched it blaze and fall in a pinch of
gray ashes. Then a gasping cry es-
capped her-she thrust out her arms to
Mrs Ellicott.
HE has left the city," she said. He
will never come again! Send every
body away-hide me from all these
eyes. l am forsaken-forsaken!" and
reeling back, in all the mockery Of bri-
dal veil and trailing brocade, she fell
senseless to the floor Of the chamber,
and lay there with her face in the dust.
Appalling confusion followed. Lepel
Ellicott had deserted his rich, high
born bride at the very hour Of mar
riage. For what reason? None could
tell. Miss Fassel had burned his let
ter, and the best man knew as little OF
its purport as any other person.
Immediately the house was cleared OF
the brilliant company who had assem-
bled to witness Miss Fassel's nuptials.
Off rolled the carriages through the
wind and wet-clergyman and guests.
Only Mrs. Ellicott remained with Aunt
Latimer by the bedside Of the forsaken
bride.
1t was a full hour before Edith Fas-
sci regained consciousness. By that
time all her wedding splendor had been
swept from sight. When she opened
her eyes the lights were turned low,
the bridesmaids, the flowers, the we'd
ding gown had disappeared, and only
plying, tearwet faces surrounded her.
"Oh!" groaned Edith Fassel, putting
her hands to her shrinking eyes.
Mrs. Ellicott leaned over the girl.
Her face had suddenly grown pinched
and ashen and old.
"My carriage Is waiting" she said;
"I must go in search Of my son, but
could not leave you till you revived,
Edith Now tell meme, his mother,
why did he fail to come tonight?"
Edith Fassel started up on her pill
lows. Her loosened hair fell like a
cloud of raveled bronze silk about her
colorless face.
you will not find him." she an
swered, shuddering. "As I said to you
before, he has left the city. He did
not come tonight, because-because he
never loved mel"
did he tell you that in his letter."
Mrs. Ellicott fairly screamed.
yes"
And what more, Edith?"
you must not ask met is a Sc
cret. He begged me, as last favor, to
keep it for him, and l will Will"
wringing her slender hands in the
keenest anguish a proud woman can
know-the anguish of desertion. Of a
heart sighted, rejected, flung back up
on itself.
Edith, you are concealing something
important from mel"
"Yes, but to know it would be only
added sorrow"
"On my knees, beg, implore you
to tell me everything!"
Never! Never!"
For a moment the Unhappy mother
stood staring at her sons deserted
bride--the girl whom he had Knocked,
scorned, humiliated; then she stag
gered, and leaned upon her servant,
Susan Taylor.
How could an Ellicott do this
thing?" she murmured, in dazed,
helpless way. "Lepel was always the
soul Of honor. I will not believe 1t,
even now! There Is some frightful
mistake. Susan Taylor, take me home
To he Continued.