Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-22
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Won and Lost?

hurry arrived at q retired hotei In
West End street-a very respectable
but not in the least fashionable, place
where the party was to remain, safely
sheltered from the eyes Of the curious
till after the marriage ceremony.
The agitation Of the day had beer
excessive; before the flight from
wolfsden was fairly accomplished
Sergia began to feel violent reaction
The next morning Miss Carbury was
not surprised to discover that heI
charge was unable to arise and dress
for her bridal.
.T was sure" said the old woman to
Pitt Rivers, that so much excitement
would provoke a relapse. >Sergia mus'
he kent very quiet for the next few
hours. You can see for yourself tna'
there can be no marriage today.
He was unable to hide his disap-
pointment and impatience.
"You will drive me mad, Miss Car
bury" he cried. Sick or well, Sersia
must consent to the ceremony"
For once, Miss Carbury bristied al
her beloved colonel
"Do YOU want to kill the poor child?'
she said. eff so, cannot aid you In
the matter; on the contrary, / decline
to have any further part in It"
The colonel controlled himself well.
"What!" he said, good-naturedly'
"Win you desert me when 1 need you
most, Miss Carbury? I cannot beieVe
that. Let Sergia herself, decide what
shall be done. She is more precious 10
me than my hearts blood. And would
I harm her? All, impossible!"
Promptly appeased, Miss Caroury
carried the vexing question to Sergia'
and begged to know If her charge
would marry the colonel Immediately
or wait until she could lift her fair, ex-
hausted head from the pillow.
Miss Pole shuddered-shrank htte'
Leave me in peace for a few hours'
dear Miss Carbury," she implored, anG
then will be ready"
Inwardly fuming, but outwardly Sc
rene. Pitt Rivers consented to a brlei
DELAY. He was too cautious to arouse
Miss Carbury's opposition again. he
kept in the shelter Of the hotel, ana
ventured forth only for the marriage
license, and then he was careful 10 con-
ceal himself in a close carriage. The
tedious time of waiting he passed by
the couch of his hearts idol, sustain
ing, cheering, divertins her, In his own
irresistible way. After the first annoy
ance was over, he seemed to find Gu
rious excitement in the situation. There
are men whose spirits rise in the pres
ence of danger. Pitt Rivers was one OF
these. For the eight and forty hours
in which Sergia Pole kept him on the
rack, he fairly sparkled with buoyancy
and animation. How could the two
women guess the thoughts hidden un-
der that gay, bright exterior?
On the evening Of the second day, 1t
became apparent that Miss Poles con-
dition was rapidly improving. The COL
onel sat by her sofa in a private parlor
of the house, held her white hand
watched the city lights flash forth along
the street outside, and heard the null
titudirous voices Of day die away In
twilight quiet.
You have many friends in this Pur-
itan town, Sergia," he said, with mis-
chievous laugh; 1T amuses me to think
how near have brought you in their
vicinity. My motto is-'Be bolde, be
bolde, and everywhere be bolde.' l
have stolen you, as might a valuable
diamond, or a package Of government
bonds, and, like daring thief, secreted
YOU under the very nose Of the people,
who, socially speaking, claim you FOR
their own"
Sergia, still passive in the hands OF
this her guardian and lover, still indif-
ferent, as it seemed, to the future
shook her blonde head.
Are you not unfortunate in your
choice of words, guardy? I do not like
to be classed with diamonds and gov
ernment bonds, and you are not a
thief"
His dark eyes sparkled.
MY dear child" in a bantering tone,
81 have heard Of thieves who were real
ly men of taste and breeding-who
could pass muster in the best society at
home or abroad, and inspire vast deal
of tender passion in elegant, high-bred
women"
"Oh, dreadful"
mot at all. Is not that kind vast
improvement upon the ruffianly Bill
Sykes type?"
She smiled.
Society would consider it far more
dangerous"
my dear child, to carry refinement
and good taste into crime-to cover the
repulsive with a mask Of elegance and
courtesy-that is true genius! Admit
now that you would more willingly at
tempt the reformation Of a gentleman
than of a boor,"
She made a gesture expressive of
distaste.
Don't, guardy! 1 should be far
more likely to fly from a thief of any
sort than to undertake his reforma-
ton"
But suppose you had learned to love
him?"
Il could never, never love bad
man."
He bit his lip.
Let us talk of something more
pleasant. Thank God! you are better
tonight, my darling-tomOrrow you
will be well-tomorrow you must mar
ry me-, l can have no more delays
his voice unconsciously assuming an
authoritative tone.
Il will marry you tomorrow, guar
dy," answered Sergia, meekly.
"a clergyman is engaged to appear
in this room at 9 o'clock. At in the
afternoon. a steamer sails for Liver
pool. We will go with her. Great Joven
bursting into a sudden, gay laugh
what thunder-bolts will be hurled al
my head, when our marriage and de-
parture become known! Well let them
rave-yOur fine friends. mean. / shall