Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-03-26

tune till the time when I may marry
Francis Heron. Doubtless papa thought
that he could give the colonel no great
er proof Of his regard than to make
him the custodian Of his daughter and
her possessions"
Absolute control Of Sergia and her
great fortune! I thought that rather
serious matter, but only said:
What is Colonel Rivers like?"
She smiled dreamily.
He is simply indescribable, Hazel.
II is not strange that papa became in
ordinately fond Of him. Outwardly he
is all polish and velvet softness; but
under that delightful exterior Is will
like iron-he is particularly successful
in subjugating other wills to his own.
He is elegant, irresistible, magnetic!"
"Is he old?" asked.
mo"
'Is he still inconsolable for the loss of
his young wife,"
She laughed.
DelltNt lldl III SoSiSty hS 40 'ANS
considered a heart broken man."
II hope you may not fall in love with
him, Sergia! Does he approve of your
engagement with Francis Heron?"
She colored family.
Entire nous, my dear Hazel. no! He
does not hesitate to tell me that he
considers such a betrothal in the high
est degree absurd, and Of no binding
power whatever. AS his ward, l am
to live with him now, you know. To
please me, he has just purchased the
queer old estate Of Wolfsden, at Black
river, adjoining the homestead OF
Francis Heron, where I used to spend
my vacations when a child. My guar
dian is fitting up the house for imme-
diate occupancy. You see, he is will
ing for my sake to renounce all thought
of further travel at present, and we
shall pass the summer at Wolfsden.
A distant relative of papa's, delight
full, easy-going old lady, has consent
ed to become my chaperon there. With
Colonel Rivers for guardian, and dear
old Miss Carbury to look after the
oroprieties, feel that am amply pro-
vided for"
Happy Sergia!" I said. you have
lost a father, but gained in his place
a guardian who seems inspired with
something more than paternal devo-
ton"
She nodded brightly.
ITO amuse and divert me, Colonel
Rivers will fill his house with guests.
Then there are summer villas on the
river, where many nice people come In
the season. So there Is no lack of
choice society in the neighborhood.
Now, my dear Hazel, you will visit me
at Wolfsden as soon as school closes.
Don't shake your beautiful head
shall take no refusal. My guardian
has given me full liberty to invite you
to his house, for an indefinite stay. /
long to have you see him, dear. Real
ly"-her violet eyes shining softly
through their black lashes-"he Is well
worth seeing!"
Not long after this interview with
Sergia, l was called one day from the
class room, to meet another visitor in
madame's parlor. This time it was a
sober, middle-aged female. who arose
from the sofa and held out her arms to
me. She wore a smart silk gown, and
a red ribbon in her bonnet-Patty!
"Oh, Miss Hazel" she gasped, what
a beauty you've grown to be! I've
had you on my mind for weeks and
months. Sez I to myself, She's wo-
man now; it's time / went and found
her. I've got things in my possession
as belongs to her, and she ought to
have EN- So here 1 am, miss"
Dear old Patty, where have you
been all these years." / answered
laughing and crying together; land
whatever has happened to you that
you look so fine?"
I'm married, MISS" answered Patty
modestly. He's in the butter and
cheese line-a widower with six; but
I was that lonesome after your poor
mothers dreadful death, that up an
sez, "Tis more the better. I'll bolt the
whole seven!' And I did, miss"
She drew me down to her side, look
ing me over with fond approval.
You are handsomer than your
nd ho
saying a good deal How much longer
will you stay on at this school?"
It'll Aunt Ferrers takes me away
Patty"
And what will you do them"
Earn my own living, Of course, as
becomes a girl who is both poor and
proud"
Patty threw up eyes and hands.
What! one like you go out to search
for her bread and butter in the great
world? Oh, miss, it will never do!'
Alarm and distress filled her voice
You must have home and shelter. II
your Aunt Ferrers can't give it, on ac-
count of that dreadful old man, your
grandfather, who is heaping up richie:
for strangers, why, I will! There's
room for you with the butter ant
cheese man and the six"
I pressed her hand hand gratefully.
Dear, good Patty, Aunt Ferrers viii
surely provide proper employment fol
mel can depend on Aunt Ferrers."
Patty drew from her pocket some
papers, wrapped carefully in a cottor
handkerchief.
Here's something, miss" she said
in a trembling tone, that I've beer
keeping for you these six years back
Your aunt knew, and approved Of m'
holding 'em till you were grown up
You remember the night at Lake Cot
tage afore your ma was killed? Sht
gave me her marriage certificate t
pack with other things, and bade mi
see that it was preserved for you, i
harm should happen to her. Then sh'
sat down to write you a letter, and sh'
said the same thing about that. Sh'
didn't want you to have these papers
till you had reached womanhood. 81