Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-04-24

It's not fitting for lady to go on
such a trip without some one with
her" said the proprietor of the stable,
firmly and persuasively. Il haven't a
driver who would be willing to go,
suppose. but l will go with you myself
il you wish"
Thank you; I'd rather be alone
replied Miss Bannottie, as she stepped
into the sleigh.
The man came nearer, in slow and
hesitatlng manner. jingling some OF
the gold she had given him. He was
nervous. that was evident,
He lowered his voice.
II didn't think you meant TO buy,
and ! put too high price upon the
team. They are not worth more than
fifteen hundred dollars, and so--
He held out handful of gold toward
her.
NO" she said, positively; keep 1t,
A gentleman always says what he
means, and never takes advantage of
a woman"
She touched the horses lightly with
the whip. They dashed away like the
wind
There is a difference in roads; diff
ficulties are not always measured by
miles. If Miss Bannottie had really
been going to the place she had men
toned, she would have found the way
much more difficult than it was in the
direction she actually went; indeed,
it may reasonably be doubted whether
she would have reached there in time
by midnight, you remember-if at all.
But in the direction in which she
went, the roads, though bad enough,
were better. If she had told the livery
man the truth, he could have reassur-
ed her on that subject.
She drove rapidly through and away
from Blankford. She shuddered lit
tie as she thought Of another journey
she had taken from Blankford once.
'I-I-" she began to herself; but
no matter" she said. sullenly, after a
moments musing. II got over being
foolishly sentimental long ago"
She drove away through the night
The storm lessened, the stars came out,
the night grew colder, the snow drifted
to and fro across the road.
She kept a close watch Of the time.
She allowed her horses a chance to
rest a little, when she dared, or when
the road was such that she had to-.
But for the most part she urged them
to as great speed as was possible.
1t lacked just ten minute Of twelve
as she came in sight of the bridge to
which she had been directed to come
the bridge near the City of Boomville.
II suppose he knows the roads are
blocked and the trains all late. But he
wouldn't make any allowance for that;
once arouse his cowardly malice, and
he would make allowance for nothing
She drove faster now. She looked
anXiously toward the bridge. The road
stretched in unbroken whitenesS as far
as she could see. The bridge was
white with ridges of snow on every
beam and timber Even the trees
along the road were scarcely more than
mounds of snow, so thickly were they
covered. But nowhere was there any
sign of life: nowhere was there mo
ton; no black spot-as black as a
man-marred the purity of the scene.
She drove on. She reached the
bridge. She drove to the centre of it.
She stopped.
She drew a long breath of the cold,
fresh air. She seemed suddenly ex-
ultant, as though she had freedom
again. The end of her journey reach
ed. she was lght-hearted and careless
or seemed to be.
She looked at her watch. 1t was
less than a minute to twleve o'clock.
She waited, listened; waited until the
bells in BoOmville rang out the hour of
midnight through the air. Then she
touched her horses with the whip
again, and drove on toward town.
Il came from Italy" she said, bit
terly 'and 1 am in season. He had to
come from the town l shall see from
the hill yonder-the town where those
bells are ringing-and he is late. That
marks the difference between us; it
marks the difference between success
and failure: let him beware"
She turned an abrupt bend in the
road. man was coming slowly from
toward the city. His head was bent
forward upon his breast. If he heard
the sleigh-bells at all they made no
impression upon him. He was absorb
ed in thought He was indulging in
the dangerous practice of thinking out
loud.
Il warned her." he said, and she
cannot blame me now. Since she failed
to come"
But did not fail, Mr.. Lyman" she
said. quietly. as she halted her team
just opposite him. Il did not fail. l
am here. And l was in season"
We'll, you beautiful fiend. how did
YOU Gomez"
by team from Blankford. by rail
from
Don't mock me; l didn't mean that.
didn't half expect you"
You didn't? You should have
known better"
Il doubt it. They say the ancient
ench.nterS used to call up the devil,
sometimes, and that he usually came.
And So"
Lurline Bannottie interrupted him
with merry laugh.
And so you think you should have
known your incantatiOnS would raise
me? Is that it? l think you should.
But. Mr.. Lyman, we are letting time
run to waste. Get in the sleigh and
let us talk as we ride"
THANK you," said Lyman. as he took
place by her side.
He slipped his arm around her waist
He bent his face toward hers.
You don't know how exceedingly
well you are looking" he said, and there
was genuine admiration in his tone