Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-11-06

sign, painted In simple DlacR letters:
"Erne Halstead, artist"
Meal" called the blind child, softly
1t was a studio, long, narrow, and
filled with a delicious, mellow light. A
carpet of dark, rich crimson covered
the floor. Two or three chairs, q low
sofa. a rack of drawings, an easel
and stand of flowers in the window
with crimson curtain trailing above
them, a low easy chair and footstools
for Daisy, and here and there an eX-
Guisite CLEAN of coloring from the
framed paintings on the walls, made
up the features of the room. Every
thing was pretty and harmonious.
A figure sitting at the easel hum
ming snatch of song rose up at the
sound of Daisy's voice. 1t was tall
figure, and shapely as an Arabian's
For the face all that Miss Guenther
saw was a pair of firm. red lips, shad-
ed by tawny brown moustache, and
two quizzical eyes, brown and bright
as falcons. Daisy ran into his arms
Here was a situation altogether un-
looked for and surprising. A faint
carmine stain rose up on Miss Guen-
theirs creamy skin. She stood on the
threshold in her magnificent dress
with her veil thrown back, and her
dazzling face fully revealed to Erne
Halstead's gaze-only a moment
though. His low bow was answered
by a nonchalant little nod.
Mr. Halstead," said Miss Guenther
81 am happy to return this daisy to
YOU. She will explain the matter bet
ter than can. Good morning"
Without waiting for word Of re-
sponse. not even hearing Daisvs good.
nv. Miss Guenther turned imperiously
and ran downstairs without stopping to
take breath. That carmine stain had
rlossomed out gorgeously on her cheek
Halstead. indeed! No wonder the
name had been familiar to her-the
city was full of his fame.
In descending the second flight, Eth
el came in contact with some one as
cending in a pace very much like her
own-a dark man, with a sprig OF
heliotrope in his button-hole. She re-
coiled, sickening a. the faint perfume
# the flower. From that day she
hated it.
Il beg your pardon!" said the voice
of Mac Vaunce.
She swept by him in silence. and.
never looking back made the remain
der of the way and reached the side
walk breathless.
Then a ridiculous sense Of her re-
treat and Of the whole adventure seiz-
ed Miss Guenther. She laughed like
school girl, her hazel eyes fairly
dancing. There was nothing now to
do but go home, since Aunt Dilloway
and her calls were eXtinguished; so
Ethel left the quiet place.
A petted belle, proud, untamed
creature, and the idol of a morose faith
er who hated all the world but her
courted, fiattered and admired-was 1t
a wonder that, in spite Of her eigh-
teen years Ethel Guenther knew next
to nothing of real life and it's lessons
What a pity it is that such happy ig-
norance should ever be broken.
Directly she was on the thoroughfare
again. But a few blocks had been
passed when a quick step echoed be-
hind her. She walked on rapidly,
knowing who it was even before his
dark shadow fell slantwise at her feet
Are you running away from me?'
said Mac Vaunce.
She looked at him scornfully.
NO: I do not always obey my in
stincts.'
His eyes seemed to narrow and
darken. He smiled.
Il should be sorry if believed they
ever led you to shun me-"
(which they do" said Ethel, with
fash.
But, Ethel"
She crested her head.
Your guard duty must be very
pleasant" she said.
That is a wicked temper of yours,
Miss Ethel.
Thank you"
His provoking smile vanished. His
voice grew indescribably tender.
Ethel. cannot afford to quarre
with you-you know it."
She knew nothing very clearly jus,
then. except that her detestation of the
man was intense.
Il did not intend to intrude upor
you-pardon me. But these Halsteads
well, l will tell you about them some
time. If you believed in destiny,
should tell you also to believe in them
different.
What are they to me?"
He shrugged his shoulders. His eyes
were averted from her.
Nothing, perhaps; but this Ern'
Halstead is a remarkable fellow. Ht
has had a singularly unfortunate his
tory, too"
Miss Guenther elevated her brows
| IDen MAC NduHCe hIlSN HILL
And that child?" she condescendet
to ask.
"A half sister" said Vaunce. Poo
Erne. he is devoted to art and Daisy.
Why poor" said Miss Guenther.
Did say that" he rejoined. smil'
ing. The word slipped me unawares
! think you must have heard Of thes'
Halsteads before"
"Of the brother as an artist-yes."
But otherwise"
NO"
His eyes met hers, sharp and aler
under dropping lids.
That is singular"
singular"
In one sense, yes
You are pleased TO be very OBJ
, scure."
i I"
She interrupted him with an impa
tient gesture. The conversation, in
teresting or not, was closed abruptly
prawn up to the opposite curbston'
stood carriage and a pair Of ba!