Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-11-05
By Eta w. PIERCE.

was nothing for her to do but put on
her every day air, and face Hilda and
the general and assume before them her
usual demeanor toward Arthur Guilte.
Polly" cries her guardian, as she
takes hcr usual seat at his right hand,
You look like the moon in her last
quarter. It's plain. dissipation doesn't
agree with you. Are you quite we'll
this morning, my dear?"
Quite WE'LL" she answers, smiling
assurance on him with her beautiful,
desolate eyes.
At this Hilda darts significant
glance at Arthur Guilte, who sits beside
her unusually grave and silent.
You see." she whispers, what a
hypocrite she is! and the general Is as
readily duped as child"
He transfixes her with look.
II forbid you," he answers back, ito
say anything of what you saw last
night. Do you hear?'
"Oh, indeed! I am expected to lend
myself to her deceits, then?"
You are expected neither to watch
her movements nor gossip Of her af-
fairs"
Blessings brighten as they take their
fii,;ht Hazel Hall has never seemed
to Paulette such an earthly paradise
as on this day The general is kinder,
even, than his won't and talks merci-
lessly to her Of his dear boy. She wan
ders through the house like one taking
an adieu Of familiar things. She lin
gers longest in the old dining room,
where she first met Arthur Guilte-
where his boyish portrait hangs on the
wall. She sits down at the piano In
the corner and goes over one Of Mo-
zart's masses and German love-song
as sad as a dirge. The room is dark
and still. Her blurred eyes cannot see
the notes. Her fingers falter on the
keys, she sinks forward, and the first
tears she has shed break forward in a
torrent.
At this, some one who has been list
ening to her music in the deep window
behind her, starts and steps out into
the room. She hears him and lifts her
wet face. He stands voiceless, silent,
and stretches out his arms to her with
unspeakable yearning. A bitter cry
breaks from her lips; she shrinks away
"Oh, Arthur" she sobs, Il cannot
I cannot"
He turns with deep sigh. The door
closes on him, and she is alone.
He does not appear at dinner.
"Hilda," says the general, in the
midst Of that meal, what the deuce
is Trent doing at the north2 1 saw one
of his letters in your mail this morn
ing"
And of course you read the post
mark" she answers. II am not in Mr..
Trent's confidence"
(which Is no fault Of yours" mutters
he. well, We'll ask him down to the
wedding, hey, little Polly? Don't turn
white like that"
condemned man might the dawn of
his DEATH day. Hilda looks in on her
curiously
Are you not lonesome? Shall 1 not
sit with you?" she asks, with unwonted
solicitude.
No, thanks" Paulette answers,
stoutly, and listens as her tormentor
goes off along the corridor.
The house Is still. Only her curtain
rustles in the night wind; an owl boots
in the oaks by the bay. She has dress
ed herself in dark colors. She now
puts on a black shawl and a round hat.
In the deep dusk she steps out on tine
verandah, deScendS the flight Of stairs,
unseeing and unseen, and hurries away
toward the pavilion.
Still as death 1t seems as she enters.
God grant he is not here!" she
prays, inwardly, then hears smart
rustic, sees the vines part before her,
and into the trysting place steps st.
John.
The light is just sufficient for them
TO discern each other.
Glad to find you so punctual," he
says, in a cautious voice. Rather
dark, is it not? Shall light the lamp
again."
She made a dissenting movement.
mo. Some one may be watching. l
was seen last night"
He started His face under his
broad southern hat looked less amiable
than ever.
"Ah! who saw you?"
AN enemy whom l have here"
He held out his hand. She did not
touch 1t.
Come, come" he grumbled, "is not
this hard treatment, Paulette?"
II would sooner stand and cry my
story to the whole world than endure
so much as the weight Of your fin
gers!" she burst out in high passion.
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Pshaw, You have not yet dropped
your stage airs, I see. Kiss me once,
Paulette, for our old loves sake!"
She warned him back with gest-
ure.
There never was any love between
U.S." she answered. You were but
boy and years younger; neither of US
knew the meaning Of the word"
Speak for yourself. 1 loved you
then l love you still, devoutly; and
what l said to you last night l say
again cannot-will not give you up!"
Her breath came hoarse, and shot
through her parted lips.
You are, then, determined to claim