Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-02

y
dinners, lawn parties, high teas, tab
leaux vivants and tennis are pouring
in upon us. The colonel insists that
you and Hazel shall take part in these
harmless gayeties. OF course his wish
es must be espected-admirable man!
But you cannot go to the Talcotts
garden fetes, or the recherche dinners
at the Greys', looking like two ravens
Sergia made no reply.
my dear, you will enter society this
coming winter" pursued Miss Car
bury. 1.-The colonel means to open your
fathers city house, and entertain like
a prince. AS your engagement with
Francis Heron is off, your debut is sure
to create a sensation. Now, I dare
say it is better for you to lay aside
your mourning at once, as your guar
dian desires. At his suggestion, have
ordered from town number OF ex-
quisite dresses, just suited for girls
not vet out. Some are for you, some
for Hazel. I knew you would delight
to provide her with pretty toilets, and
she loves you too we'll to refuse the
gift"
i I tried to express my thanks suita-
bly,.
But I would rather wear my shah
by black for Aunt Ferrers," faltered.
1t was plain that Miss Carbury her
self had some secret qualms in the
matter; but, being blind adorer OF
Colonel Pitt Rivers, she stifled them,
and gently urged:
Undoubtedly the colonel Is compe-
tent to decide about the-fitness Of
things. A man who gives literally to
all the churches in Black River, and
/ invites the rector and his family to
dine every week-a man who endows
beds in hospitals, and contributes to
every charity-is fit to determine how
long a black frock should be worn"
Sergia could not restrain a laugh.
Take the goods the gods provide,
Hazel" she said, land offer no objec-
tion-especially to a dear, illogical
creature like Miss Carbury. Let US
leave the responsibility Of this move
ment to our elders. We need not quail
rel with our guardians will, when 1t
takes the form Of new dresses and mild
local diversion"
It was odd how readily Sergia yiel'
ed to every wish of her guardian; his
power over her seemed daily to in
crease. 1 had been at Wolfsden for
more than a week, and in that time
had seen him again and again look at
her with eyes of covetous passion. Now
that his ward was free Of Heron, why
did not Colonel Rivers approach her as
a lover? Something seemed holding
him back-what could 1t be? Was he,
after all, that contemplate being,
male fiirt, vasillating betwixt Sergia
and Mrs. Van Vert? 1t looked like 1t.
| We left Miss Carbury writing orders
for more finery, and went out into the
corridor. Wet weather had prevailed
for days. Rain was falling in tor
rents; the river threatened an over
flow. The inmates of Wolfsden were
shut indoors. We could hear the tum-
tum of Mrs. Van Wert's banjo f1utter-
ing up the stairs from the drawing
room. Sergia grasped my arm.
81 am suffering from surfeit Of BAN
10: are not you?" she cried. Come,
llet us stroll through these old rooms
You have been at Wolfsden more than
week, dear, and have not yet looked
| the house over"
followed her along quaint passages,
in and out Of wainscoted rooms, charm
ingly furnished, and finally up steep
stair to the very top Of the gabled
house.
| Yes, I had been ten days at Wolfs-
den-a brief, but marvelously happy
period. Acquaintance progresses rap
idly in a country house, where guests
are dependent upon each other for en-
| tertainment.
| That dark waiting maid Jael an
noyed me with no more warnings. Mrs.
Steele, the housekeeper, kept studiously
out Of my way. Already, with the
facility Of youth, had forgotten every
thing disagreeable, and surrendered
myself unreservedly to the first great
Joy Of my life.
At the head Of the attic stair Ser
gia and I stood looking around. There
were three rooms in this topmost sto-
ry Of the house-one empty, one packed
with the miscellaneous articles that
usually accumulate in garrets-the door
Of the third was locked.
"Bluebeard's chamber" said Sergia,
as she shook the knob. 81 wonder
what precious thing is hidden here?
There ought to be a fine view Of the
river from this corner Of the house.
I saw Mrs. Steele's keys lying on the
dining room buffet. Wait till I fetch
them, Hazel"
She rushed off down the stair, and
was back in a moment with the keys
in her hand.
"'Open, locks,
Whoever knocks"
she said, lightly, then fitted key in
the door, and it swung backward, re-
vealing room, sparsely furnished and
lighted by one small window in the
roof, from which 1t was impossible to
obtain any view save that Of the dolor-
Gus sky. All about the walls Of this
garret hung a great variety Of male
lclothing-hats and cloaks Of outlandish
appearance-scores Of suits, some a Ia
mode, some Of kind never worn, sure
ly, on American soil.
Your Bluebeard room," 1 said to
Sergia, "looks like secondhand cloth
ing shop"
"Or a pawnbrokers establishment!
she answered. why, here are gar
ments suitable for every country in the
world, one might say"
Stage property, perhaps" l suggest
ed.
On a table against the wall two