Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-20

| freStde, ne SalO TO MrS. van Wert
"Dr. Bird detained me beyond my ex.
pectations, but all the time my hear,
was at Wolfsden!" with one Of those
melting glances which had before con-
vinced me that Colonel Pitt Rivers
was a confirmed male f1irt.
He made haste to present me to the
company as tre future Lady Hope
wood. l was o agitated to remember
all that was slid. but everybody con-
graduated me with great. kindness
Poor Miss Carbury, overcome witt
amazement, whispered in my ear:
"Why, my dear, whoever would have
thought it? What a strange choice fol
Sir Griffin Hopewood! The whims oi
men are incomprehensible! All the
same, child, hope from my heart
that you may be happy"
I was glad to carry my confusion
into a corner, while the other guests
surrounded the colonel, and began to
relate all that had happened in his abb
sence. With mingled wrath and
amazement, he listened to the story
Of the recent robberies.
Good heaven!" he cried 'is 1t pos
sible that the Blackbirds have dared
to enter my house and rob my guests;
And no person has yet been appre-
hended for the outrage? Verify, 1t Is
time for me to be at Wolfsden again!"
ITO me 1t all seems like a stupend-
Gus, practical JOKE" said Mrs. Van
Vert, with an arch look. Now, no.
body has molested me, colonel, though
1 am sure it is no secret that have q
great many diamonds with me al
Wolfsden. My room is near Miss Car
bury's, and about money and jewels
am sadly careless. I cannot imagine
why the Blackbirds should have pass
ed me by" A
Zone would think, Mrs. Van Vert
that you felt quite aggrieved at your
escape" Sergia said, laughing.
The colonel too, looked highly anus
ed.
mot even a Blackbird could find II
in his heart to rob you," he murmur-
ed in the ear Of the charming widow.
He assured Miss Carbury that he
would take immediate measures to re-
cover her lost property, and bring the
thief to justice.
my dear colonel" she answered,
cheerfully. '1 feel more than positive
that you will find the rogue, and al
once! Now that you are back al
Wolfsden, there can be nothing more
for any Of us to fear"
And indeed, his coming seemed to
bring instant security and peace to the
house. He gayly rallied the professor
and Sir Griffin upon their failure to
protect the ladies in his absence, and
made us all feel that he was, in truth
the strength and safeguard Of Volts
den. In the importance Of his return
even my engagement with Sir Griffin
Hopewood dwindled to a merely COM
monplace event.
Ladies'" he said, as he sat In the
midst of his admiring guests, II have
proposal to make, as an offset to all
the disagreeable things that you have
suffered In my absence. You know our
Black River neighbors have been ex-
ceedingly friendly and hospitality!
have received numberless attentions
for which feel that must make some
suitable return. Now, I propose to
give a ball here at Wolfsden, and in
vite all our new friends on the river
and as many others from town as the
place will contain"
"A ball at country house-oh, de-
lightful!" cried the ladies, in breath
such a pleasant change from the
Blackbirds!"
Everybody fell to discussing the mat
ter. Colonel Rivers crossed the room
to a sofa, where Sergia was sitting by
my side, and said, in his kindest tone:
II depend upon you to outshine all
other lights at my ball, Sergia. Order
whatever you will, for Hazel and your
self. Miss Carbury will be only toe
glad to assist in making you both su-
perlatively lovely. The future Lady
Hopewood," patting my cheek, will be
very great parsonage, for Sir Grill
fin has manors and town houses
and a rent roll as long as his own ped
igree. To be sure" dropping his voice
little, "he has also an unfortunate
weakness for cards and dice, but
wife whom he loves will, doubtless
cure him of that nonsense"
If Sergia had a fault, 1t was her ex-
treme frankness.
"Guardy," she answered, ut is said
that you have won large sums from
Sir Griffin here at Wolfsden-that you
play with him constantly"
He stared, then smiled.
Servants gossip!" he replied. Ger
tainly 1 play with him, since his pas
sion for gaming demands indulgence
everywhere and at all times. But, my
child, you cannot think that I, his
friend and host, would keep my win
nings. No, return them always to his
purse"
Luckily, Sir Griffin was talking with
Mrs. Van Vert on the other side Of the
room-out of earshot. What defense
would he have made II he had heard
the conversation? l felt little dis
mayed at the colonel's revelation OF
my lovers weakness, and a genuine
admiration for Pitt Rivers's amazing
kindness. 1t was not strange that ev-
erybody loved and admired the man.
| After we had dined that day, the
colonel held a court Of inquiry in his
library, and carefully examined the
servants of the house in regard to the
robbery. / CHANGED to pass the open
door on my way to the garden, and
with the curiosity Of my sex, paused
an instant to look in.
| Mrs. Steele was stationed by the
colonel's chair, her spectacles nicely
adjusted to her long, thin nose, hei
gray puffs all in order.
Jael, the waiting maid, evidently
much out Of temper, stood before the
two undergoing some SharD uueStfOn-