Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-28

crumbled like dead mems bones, before
I could grasp it."
Whose fault was that?" said the
old fisherman.
Uncle Caleb" interposed Bess, witt
calm determination, II shall not go tc
Mrs Ellicott! I will write at once an6
decline her offer. I cannot leave you
cannot leave Rose and Andy. 1 dc
not see how any of you could get or
without me here"
"Well, I'm blessed IL stand in your
way, and you my dead brothers girl!'
cried Caleb, with increasing vehemence
"Why, such an opportunity will never
come to you on airth again, child"
| Never" echoed Andy, waking sud-
denly, and withdrawing his hands from
his head. The poor fellow had a way
of repeating other peoples words, par
rot fashion, at odd times. But nobody
needed him.
Il will accept nothing, Uncle Caleb
that | cannot share with you and
Rose" said Bess, in a resolute voice
You two are now my nearest and
dearest Here l stay, till you drive
me from you," smiling bravely. "Af-
ter all, who is this Mrs. Ellicott, that
should wish to exchange your home
for hers? stranger, and nothing to
any Of us-perhaps a very disagreed
BILE person"
I'll - H.
dear-think Of her millions!" urged
old Caleb. "And she is a solitary wo-
man. You're the sort Of girl to make
yourself Of prime Importance to her.
Let me see. She had son-one, only
one. Now" pressing the tobacco
thoughtfully down into the bowl Of his
pipe, what was it that I heard about
that ERE SON." The two girls waited
for his memory to revive. From the
beach the laugh of little waves rose
softly. Andy sat in listening attitude
with vacant eyes half closed. II
heard" continued Caleb, looking at
Bess, who was his favorite, "leastwise,
l read in a newspaper, two years ago,
how that son died-got killed in a rail-
road accident. He was the last male
Ellicott. Twas his death, s'pose,
that left the old dame without heirs. -
How sad!" said Bess. AN only
son!"
Yes, 'twere hard lines, sure enough.
I'd like right WELL" wistfully, ito have
you come in for that property, Bess.
Why, what girl in her senses could re-
fuse it? It's flying in the face of
Providence! Mrs. Ellicott will dress
you in silks and diamonds. You'll ride
in your carriage, with sarvants in
plenty, and when she dies you'll be
rich as the Queen Of Shelby"
At this graphic picture Rose uttered
fresh cry Of envious misery.
"I will kill myself. Bess," she Kissed
through her little, white teeth. IF such
splendid things fall to your lot, and I
have nothing. 1 am prettier than you
1 am younger by a year. No, no, you
could not be so cruel as to accept
riches and happiness, and leave me
here at Hillyer's Cove, to bear my bur-
dens alone-to eat my heart out!"'
Was there no struggle in Bess Hill
yer's mind at that moment? She was
but nineteen. and the future which the
unknown Mrs. Ellicott offered her was
brilliant enough to turn an older and
wiser head Could this simple Maine
girl resist the enticement Of it?
go Bess!" urged Uncle Caleb, dry
ly.
GO, Bess!" echoed the voice Of Andy
Gaff. He had reused himself a second
time. Uncle Caleb laughed.
Lord! hear the poor critter! How
sensible he can be at times! one
would think he knew what we were
talking about"
Rose glanced scornfully at the inert
figure, anG sodden, soulless face of her
husband.
He! He knows nothing. Don't go,
Bess-don't listen to anyone but me-
Don't break my hearth
Bess Hillyer clasped the pretty, sell
fish creature suddenly in her arms.
MY decision is made" she said
cheerfully. You need say no more,
Rose. 1 will never leave you while
you and yours need me. I will not be
bought. 1t shall be you to whom de-
vote my future, not strange, rich wo-
man, who has no claim whatever upon
me. I belong to you, and to poor An
dy."
How good you are!" said Rose,
smiling through her tears. You al
ways find self-sacrifice easy. Perhaps
you are quite as happy here as you
would be with Mrs. Ellicott."
Very probable
Twill YOU let me take that grand
DANES letter in my own hands?" pur-
red Rose-"let me keep it till you write
the answer?"
Bess laughed.
What! you mistrust me, silly Rose!
You fear that l am secretly longing for
the fleshpots of Egypt-that 1 may yet
change my mind? Be at ease. If you
like you shall help to write my answer
to Mrs Ellicott.'
| She put the letter in Roses hand
The younger girl turned it over in
helpless fascination.
| oh" she sighed, "it is dreadful, af-
ter all, to let so much money escape
ones grasp! How l wish that you
were Rose. and 1 were Bess! L know
what my answer would then be! You
might all go down on your knees to
me-you might die together, and
would walk over your dead bodies to
clutch this Ellicott fortune. Yes, in
deed" with a shril little laugh. See
how wicked am-what contrast to
dear Bess!"
The sailor girl looked earnestly pity
ingly into Roses flushed, feverish race
IF it were possible, poor child" she
said. gravely. II would transfer this
great chance to you. You should De
Bess. and l would be Rose"
do you mean it-really| Rose
cried with a queer CLEAN in her love-
ly eyes.
| Indeed l do. But you are not OF