Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-10-05

CHAPTER XIV.
By Eta w. PIERCE.

fixed on the old general
"You have chosen me for Arthur
Guilte's wife!" she faltered. "lmpos-
sible! 1 am dreaming. You cannot
so soon have forgotten where you met
me, from whence you took me-you
cannot have forgotten the story l told
YOU about Jean Rale-you, who come
of a race so proud Of its high blood ana
it's good name!"
He knitted his fierce old brows.
Long ago I entreated you," he an
swered, Ito forget the past. You are
now neither the founding OF Jean
Rale's care, nor the child-actress fight
ing with the world and the devil Tor
her daily bread. You are a woman
Paulette, and my ward. l hold you IN
all ways worthy to be the wife OF Ar
thur Guilte. Is not that enough! Our
good name! Yes; we have been-we
still are proud Of it. Nevertheless u
is not without its stains!"
He looked moodily off across the
bay.
Paulette seemed to grow paler and
paler.
But It cannot, cannot bel" she
cried wildly. II shall never marry,
guardy-never! You do not know
what you say. Oh. beg you, let your
choice fall upon some other-any otn-
er than mel"
The old general smiled, quietly.
Lott 20
hardly ask me to believe that. Tut
tut, You shall not look so distressed.
I have made blunder, / think In
speaking so soon Of the matter. l
ought, perhaps, to have allowed Arthur
to plead his own cause, without any
meddling of mine"
But" answered Paulette, throwing
back her spirited head to look at him.
"he may have chosen already for him-
self. In the life he has led he must
have seen many faces. Thank heaven!
It is far, far from likely that ne wouid
care for mel"
The old general gathered up his REIN
"Arthurs nature is not an impressl-
bIe one- cannot agree with you. Ad-
venture has been his mistress. My
dear child, take time to think OF this
matter. It would be worse than folly
for me to press it upon you now. WOO
ing by proxy is prone to fare Ill. In
few weeks Arthur himself will be at
Hazel Hail."
sI tell YOU again. cried Paulette,
passionately, that shall never mar
nv! When you are tired Of me-when
l have become q burden to you, l Will
go away" The corners Of his bleach
ed mustache went up in a grim smile.
LAS no such danger is yet imminent
we will not discuss the matter this
morning, Come, I cannot have such
pale face. Forget all / have said Tor
the present. Your first day at Hazel
Hall must not be made miserable by
an old mans folly. Yonder comes
Trent"
Another wild impulse had seized
Paulette to open her heart to this gooo-
generous friend-to confess her disas-
trous marriage with st. John; but at
this moment the lawyer appeared In a
turn of the way, squirting rapidly TO-
ward them, and the wish and the op-
portunity passed together He rode
hurriedly up, looking keenly at ooth
from the corners Of his light, hazel
eyes, taking in at a glance the old
generals p,acidity and Paulette's ruf-
fed and detected air.
BLESS mel" said the old soldier,
suddenly, drawing out his watch. 1
have business at the hall at this hour.
I leave my little Polly to you, Trent.
She will find your ompany more live
ly than mine, l dare say. We shall
meet at dinner"
He galloped off.
Trent wheeled the reeklng English
cob he rode and fell into place beside
Paulette. He glanced covertly at her
downcast face, half yelled in her loose
hair.
1.-THE generals conversation does not
seem to have raised your spirits ne
said, dryly. "Of course he has been
VI IlS lCli, Ills AN@N' >~
of his dotard heart-Arthur"
She colored angrily.
He has been talking Of nothing that
can in the least concern you," she an
swered.
Don't be so sure" said Trent, airily.
1--WE a deep interest in this same Ar
thur, and all his doings. I also know
the generals plans regarding him..
Indeed" said Paulette, coldly. Il
do not. Neither have I any interest
in one or the other. Therefore, let US
talk of something else, or rather let
us not talk at all, but ride"
She snatched up the rein with one
daring little hand and brought her
whip down with smart blow on the
Kentucky mares side. Quite unused
to such attentions, the beautiful, blood
ed creature gave frightened leap
then laid back her ears and bolted.
stop" cried Trent. spurring after
she will surely throw you? Stop
Miss Rale, for Gods sake!"
He might as we'll have talked TO the
idle wind. Toward the bay, swift as
a shaft from the bow, sped the mare
with that golden-hai figure in the
saddle Even then Trent could not out
admire the skill and courage with
which, novice as she was in the art
she kept her seat. Suddenly turn
in the road hid her from his sight
Away he went in pursuit, the live
oaks on one side, the blue bay on the
other the morning wind in his face
Another turn. end his heart leaped in
to his mouth The mare and her rider
were close before him, the former
standing in the middle of the road, her
rein loose, her head tossed high, her
saddle empty; the latter lying prone
and motionless in the dust at the
brute's feet.
With a cry Trent leaped from his
saddle and knelt at Paulette's side
Out of the dust he lifted her bright
head to his knee Her eyes were clos
ad Her marble face was without q