Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-08-18
CHAPTER XIV.
Miqnon.


A masculine shadow darkened the
threshold of the Beacon Street drawing
room.
"Ah, Paget Fassel," said Mrs. Eli
colt, "how have you managed to enter
here? Do you not know" smiling,
that this is pink luncheon day, and
your sex is forbidden the house?"
He started back in mock dismay.
II beg a thousand pardons! 7 had
not heard. You see, only arrived from
Europe an hour ago."
"My dear boy, you are forgiven. En-
teri The coast is clear-the last guest
gone I dare say you do not really
kllcw-for how can a wanderer Ike
YOU keep abreast of
" These most brisk and giddy-paced
| times p
what a pink luncheon is, or it's peculiar
purpose"
He advanced with a relieved air.
She held out both hands in welcome.
The clustered lights of the room, anu
the profusion of primroses and carna-
tions that adorned it, were all Of tie
same soft pink hue. Some mild fes-
tivity fingered, like perfume, In the
atmosphere. Fassel looked around
| with feigned awe.
II feel that in my gross ignorance 1
have intruded upon an event of vast
| Importance" he said.
1T is such-to Mignon," replied Mrs.
| Ellicott "She. left school few weeks
ago. have taken her out little, to
familiarize her with the life that she
| is now to lead. Today 1 gave the
lunch to the rosebuds of the year-her
sister debutantes. 1t is just over
they are all gone, the charming crea-
lures! But you shall see Mignon-it is
your right She looks upon you as a
sort of guardian, you know"
She extended her hand to the bell.
His bronzed face lighted perceptibly.
How good of you! To tell the truth,
Mrs Ellicott, 1 called for that very
purpose. My-ah-curiosity would not
let me wait"
A moment after a small hand thrust
back the drapery from the doorway,
and Mignon herself glided into the
drawing room.
Her gown of pink crepe was edged
around the neck with a fluff of tiny
ostrich tips that matched its soft hue.
She wore no ornament but dog COL
lar of primrose, massed closed and high
above her milky throat. Her hair was
in the old riot Of rings and curls, but
was decorously held in place by gold
pins, each headed with a primrose.
Beautiful as a houri, graceful as a
sylph, the girl flashed up to Paget Fas-
sci.
You have come, as you promised"
she said, without making the least at
| tempt to conceal her joy.
YES" he answered.; when ones
word is pledged to a lady it must be
kept at all hazards. For year all my
plans have ben arranged with a strict
reference to your debut. And now, l
hope you have thought of me little
since we parted at the school?"
Every day-every hour!' she re-
piled, with childish frankness. DO
ysu," laughing and blushing, find me
slightly improved"
| His eyes grew dangerously bright.
"Forbear to question me on that
point, Mignon. Once on a time I ad-
mired a little sea witch, with the wild
flavor of the Maine coast upon her; but
the vision of rosy loveliness which see
before me makes my head whirl!"
Indeed she was greatly improved. A
years study and training had not been
thrown away upon Mignon. Nimble OF
wit, as we'll as a ready imitator, she
had acquired many graces, without
losing any of her old piquancy.
Rose Gaff was no more, and daz-
zling and irresistible Mignon had TAX
en- the place of that bygone creature.
81 can sing and dance and play, Mr..
Fassel." she said archly. II can paint,
and talk a little French and German.
know what a musicale means, and
high tea and a Harvard assembly; but,
after ALL" signing, Il am not like your
sister. Whatever one may learn, it is
impossible to be like her."
He smiled.
81 am glad of that. 1t is better for
YOU to remain as you are. You need
initiate no one"
Leaning on her ebony stick, Mrs
FIlicott put one hand on the girfs
shoulder, and looked fondly in her fair
face.
TT is easy to tell who the new beau
ty Of the winter will be-" she said
Years ago 1 used to wish for daugh-
ter and one has come to me in my old
age. I wonder what Lepel thinks OF
it all?"
| With gentle force she drew Mignon
toward the portrait of her son. Her
old eyes grew misty and tender as she
lifted them to the canvas.
"Lepel." she said. softly "look at her
She is an Ellcott-One of your own
race. If you could speak, you would
surely approve of the heiress nave
chosen. You would rejoice that she
has brought me a little consolation for
YOUR loss. 1t is good for you to see
young life again in this gloomy mousse
is it not?"
"Oh, don't" gasped Mignon, shrink
ing back in terror HE is angry-he
is frowning upon me!"
"My dear" said Mrs. Ellicott' sooth-
inglv. chow superstitiOus you are about
this poor picture! Why would Lepe
be angry? In giving to you 1 take
! nothing from him. He can never come
back to his inheritanCe-he bestows II
upon you, his kinswOman. My child
do not fear the dead any longer.
But Mignon continued to tremble.
"He looks as though he would de-
light to break out Of that frame ano
drive me from you with a swOrd!' she
said.
| Paget F'assel hurried to her side.