Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-11-26
CHAPTER Xxx.

rival Oh MI. 1kShl-
"What could he mean?" scoffed Dim
ple, by his talk Of a surprise?
have already met with the greatest Una
can befall me. Do you think 1t can os
anything unpleasant? I feel today a.
h had nothing more to do with th'
sorrows Of the world
Soon" said the rusty country ooc'
tor. "you will begin to sigh once more
for its riches and honors for Moppet
sake"
Mo" she answered, shaking her fall
head. "Moppet will have enough o.
both when she marries this grea'
blonde lover, who stands ready t'
snatch her from u.s."
Miss May Cover, or Moppet, smile'
down trolh her proud, superior heish'
upon her little mother.
"AllI now long for is the sight Of thai
cottage at Beverly where I was born
II Mr.. Trent, whom I do not IN thl
least like, does not come quickly
shall be forced to start in search OF II
alone"
A sudden rap at the door. The doc
for went forward and opened II
Smiling and airy as ever, in walked
mr. Trent followed by a tail, soidierls
old figure, rather stiff and stern OF as
pect, In fact, General Guilte.
"Ah!" cried Trent, you are waiting
I see. What a charming family group.
Miss Moppet, kiss your hand. May
beg to present to you all, and TO you'
doctor, in particular, General Quite o'
Hazel Hall, Maryland"
His face was full Of malice and tri-
urnrh. as he looked from the one e
the other. That Of the general be-
trayed a deep annoyance, mingled with
some surprise, but nothing more. DR.
Cover alone grew pale. His eyes flash
ed on Trent a moment, then fell he
bowed, but with a constrained air.
And now" said the general, turning
impatiently to Trent, why have you
brought me here? What have to DC
with these strangers? / return to Ha-
eel Hall today, and my time is pre-
cious."
A certain stiffness Of gait, blood
shot look about the eyes, betrayed thai
Mr.. Trent had suffered in the encoun-
ter on Megrim's stairs the previous
night. His temper, also, seemed some
what ruffied.
"Patience!" he said to the general
Il have brought you here somewhat
against your will, 'tis true; but this
excellent family have been promised e
surprise, and upon my soul they shall
have it,"
"Scoundrel!' cried the general, losing
all control you mean, after all, tc
betray mel"
Dimple and her daughter arose and
moved toward the door.
Ladies, beg you will not retire.
said Mr.. Trent. I've little story to
tell which you also must hear-ar
'ower true tsle,' which I became pos
sessed Of some years ago through pri-
vate papers which fell by mistake into
my hand"
Would to heaven" groaned the gen.
eral, his miserable gray head falling on
his breast, Il had let Arthur have his
way with you last night"
He did have it," answered Trent
with cleaning eyes; "and now this
morning let Us see what can be done
for Arthur. Sit down, Mrs. Cover
Doctor, how pale you look The chron-
icle saith that forty years ago, while
chasing pleasure through the north, the
scion of a wealthy southern house
stumbled on a pretty village maid
welded her stealthily-it seems to run
in the blood-desertsd her in month
the old, old story-and turned his
back upon her cottage door forever
He returned to his own state, married.
A. .egally, of course-one Of his own
station. an heiress Of birth and family
who bore him two illegitimate sons
Meanwhile the deserted village girl hao
also given birth to a man-child, which
in the ensuing years, she reared like
Spartan. in the full knowledge Of nj;
wrongs, but with lips preternaturallS
silent. He took his mothers name, IT
place Of the one they both hated. The
story Of his birth he kept a profound
secret from even the wife Of his heart
He has struggled with poverty, while
knowing himself to be the rightfu
heir Of untold wealth. General Guilte
go home and make a new will! LIE,
me present to you the child Of Rache
Gower-your first-born and only lesi'
innate son, Philip"
Like a bomb fell these words into
the midst of that little group. There
was one cry from Dimple and another
from the general. who staggered back
and, clapping his hand to his forehead
stared wildly from under his heavy
bleached brow at the doctor.
My SON." they heard him utter
Rachers son! Oh, Cod"
Speak, doctor!' cried Trent, in exul-
tation: was not Rachel Cover youi
mother?"
The doctor looked greatly agitated
but indignant also.
"She was my mother" he answered
What possessed you to meddle witt
the matter? / forbade you that nigh
at Beverly ever to speak of 1t again
Good God! look at him! You have beer
too abrupt-he is an old man."
Erect and tall for one moment, the
grand. soldierly figure stood. and ther
reeled suddenly forward, his gray heac
rocking on his sinking breast. Botf
Trent and the doctor sprang forward
to help him, and as they did so, like
some great tree, rotten at the root, anc
struck by a sudden blast. he dropped
headlong at their feet.
They lifted him up. He did not move
or speak. His face looked white ant
drawn.
Father" cried Philip Cover for the
first time in his life. and raised the
heavy. gray head on his arm.
Heavens" cried Trent. in terror
what has come over him? Doesnt
this look little singular? He hat
Queer turns sometimes when excited
Faith, Is in a fit or a Swoon, or, no