Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-11-23
By ETA w. PIERCE.

George Trent, whose acquaintance l
made a few days ago. Your mother
according to her doctors, can be re-
stored to life and sanity only by you.
If you will fly to her this hour, this
moment, you may save her; but the
briefest delay is likely to prove fatal
A lamentable cry burst from her lips.
She made a movement toward the door.
why did not know of this before"
she cried. "Why did no one send me
word? Where Is she? Oh, my poor
mother!"
"As nobody knew where to find you,
twas not so easy to send you word
scowled st. John. IF you will trust
yourself to me, / will take you to her
in Just a half-hour by the clock"
Paulette stopped short, and looked
at him.
where is she? Tell me that. and I
will go alone" she said.
"Ah, there 1t Isl" cried he, bitterly.
You mean to cast me Off altogether.
She's enormously rich. suppose you
know, and you will be sole heir. Now,
IL I'm to have no part in your good for
tune, by heaven! she may die thou
sand times over before I will put you
on her track" He set his back sui
lenly against the wall. do you call
this fair treatment, Paulette? Faith,
| common courtesy Is not so costly but
what a man may demand little from
the woman, who, whether she likes 1t
or not is lawfully his wife,"
Paulette stood wild, hesitant, uncer-
| tain.
How did Trent know Of all this?"
she demanded.
He has himself seen your mother"
She glanced at Megrim's Dutch clock
on the mantel She seemed torn with
fear and hope.
Look! it is nearly midnight she
said.
Yes"
What guarantee have I that you
will carry me safely to her, or that
what you have told me is true?"
Il
amounts to nothing with you. Where
should take you If not to her? What
would possess me to trump up such>a
story as this? Am l the villain OF
some three volume novel?" 4.
| She looked at him steadily. i'
| From the night I first met you at
Hazel Hail." she answered, you
have seemed to me an utter scoundrel.
Four years ago knew you to be wild
and dissipated, now you are something
great deal worse. Still, will go with
you, and Megrim shall attend me-"
"Thanks!" said st. John ironically;
such a proof Of confidence can in no.
wise bring myself to accept. Either
you go alone with me. Paulette, or not
at all. 1 don't make myself ridiculous
by carrying along that old French
mummy to protect my wife against the
evil designs Of her husband. What the
deuce do you think? Am / going to
rob Or murder you, or what?"
Her manner did not soften, but she
began to look desperate.
Meanwhile" added ST. John, while
you are dawdling here. your mothers
last chance Of life may be lost"
II will go!" cried Paulette, wildly,
II am ready. Take me to her quickly!"
And she ran to the door rs it far
away"
Il promised you should be with her
in a half hour" replied st. John.
Come, them" and his hand was on
the knob when she drew suddenly back.
"Hark!" she whispered; some one
Is coming upstairs! l cannot be seen
leaving this room with you at this
hour Of night. Hold"
| A guarded step sounded for a mo-
ment on the landing, and then stop
ped.
Drop your veil," said st. John, i'm
patiently, "and come along"
| He drew her still reluctant hand
through his arm, pulled his hat over his
brow, and the two stepped out on the
threshold. AS they did so, from the
deep obscuity of. the landing a dark
figure arose. like a guard, and barred
their progress.
Stop" commanded the voice Of
Arthur Guilte.
Paulette snatched her hand from her
companion and darted back. st. Jonn
for a moment stood as If paralyzed;
then, without word or sound, made
desperate rush for the stair. Seizing
him by the shoulder, Arthur Guilte
dragged him back by main force, and
precipitated him headlong into the
room he had just left. He then turn
ed and called to some one still hidden
in the darkness without: Come in,
uncle-thank God! we are not too
late!"
J At this invitation, another figure,
TALL gray and soldier-like, stepped over
the threshold-the old general.
One wild cry broke from Paulette,
then she saw him stretch his arms to-
ward her, and, forgetful of all things
but the great tender. remorseful love
she saw in his old face, "Guardy!" she
|
his heart.
Now" said Arthur Guilte, standing
} very tall, and brown. and stern, with
his back against the door, Il should be
. glad to know what all this means.
Who is this man. Paulette, and what
is he doing here?"
st. John leaned sulkily against the
wall, his hat pulled over his eyes,
glaring from beneath its brim at the
: speaker The general took up the
l question.
, My poor little Polly" he said, turn
ing her white face to the light. "ex-
plain this mystery-answer Arthur
answer me-who Is he?"
IT WILL" she cried, dashing her hands
together in sudden frenzy. "Oh,
guardy-oh, Arthur he is my hus-
! band!"
They stared at her in utter silence,
Neither did st. John speak a word.
| .I deceived Won both" she walled ::