Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-30
CHAPTER XIX.
Moving The Menagerie.

aspect of affairs and proved well
come diversion for the Governor
whose sides shook with suppressed
laughter as he saw the young lovers
frantic attempt to avoid detection
The impending duel was Forgotten IN
stantly; tragedy gave way to comedy,
I'm sorry 1 scared that bird away, "
he remarked aloud, for the youngsters
benefit. "whippoorwills are so scarce
down here, he would have been a fine
addition to Nellie's pets" He paus-
ed TO whistle the whippoorwill call
softly a few times. TOO bad!' ne
continued. He's gone. I'd like to
catch him. If we can't do that, I'll
shoot him and have him stuffed.
Above him, his face blanched with
terror, Roy Rugged the oak as tight
" as its own bark Suddenly, upon
the still night air, there came an an
swering call, a weak, uncertain, trem-
ulous whippoorwill note from the
other end Of the garden.
Hello! He's over there now! ex-
claimed the Governor, his eyes
twinkling with humor. wonder II l
can't call him back" Again and again
he whistled. The answering call grew
near and nearer. A few minutes, Ia
ter, a white dress stood out in bold
relief among the dark shadows OF the
magnolias and Nellie timidly stepped
into the moonlight.
The Carpetbagger looked at her and
chuckled with amusement Her arms
were filed with band-boxes, parceis
and packages. In one hand, she car
ried a green parrot in a cage; In the
other a long, perforated pcx, the tenn
porary home Of pet alligator. Al
her heels trotted the big, white pull-
dog. Bulger. She whistled softly; an
answer came from behind the oak.
"Ah, There you are!" she cried, ex-
citedly, hurrying forward. The Gov
ernor put down his sabers ana ao-
vanced to meet her. YES" he re-
piled, quietly. There was scream OF
CONSERVATION; the bird-cage, boxes
and packages were dropped In indis-
criminate confusion and Bulger add
ed IN the excitement by barking fur
iously.
"You've-you've dropped some
thing, think" remarked the Govern
or, kindly.
The frightened child made no re-
ply.
"Moving?" he asked, quizzica'ly'
"N-no, sir"
.IJm, What are you doing?"
.T-I-don't know, sir"
You don't know" exclaimed the
Carpetbagger, in mock astonishment'
.aThat's bad. That's mighty bad.
girl who goes out alone at this time
of night ought to know what she Is
doing"
A soft, round arm went up across
Nellie's eyes and she began 10 cry
SOFTLY. "I-I-wasn't going very far,
she sobbed: "and 1 was coming righ'
back"
"Well, don't you think you've gone
far enough now? Aren't you about
ready to go back?"
A choking sob was the only answer
The old man softened. There was
kindly note Of seriousness in his voice
as he laid his hand on her shoulder
and said: Little one, it's all rlgnl
Don't cry. Everything is all right
You've always trusted me; trust me
now. Will you?"
She was in his arms in an instant
weeping as if her heart would break
..There, there, there" he said, sootn'
ingly. as he patted her blonde locks
"The heart of ayoung girl is not a safe
euide to the maze Of matrimony. The
hutterings of your own little hear'
have filled your head with romantic
nonsense. Wait. When you are lit-
tie older your head and your near
will lead you Alright. You mustn't &c
this nv child. There is no romance
in dishonor, and the path you nave
chosen tonight might lead you there.
He paused. The child nesting
within his arms had sobbed hersei'
into submission. "I was coming right
back" she repeated, humbly.
my poor motherless girl! he con-
t,nued How could you know? Goo
grant you may be happy In sooo
mans love! But the man who wouic
be your husband must lead you TO tne
altar, not wait for you in the dark.
Was it the wind that sighed so deep
w among the branches overhead?
Now, then" continued the Carpet
bagger. Frightening, "go back. Here
YOUR menagerie." He handed her the
narrot and the alligator as he spoke
and began loading her arms with par
cells.
"Rut no more Of this. Understand?
"No sir" was the ready response
Never, I'll never speak to that DO!
again as long as 1 live. He didn'
come, anyway"
The wind no longer sighed amont
the oak leaves-it groaned.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that, laughe'
the Governor. II wouldn't say tha'
Goodnight" He turned her race 10
ward him in the moonlight and kiss
ed her warmly, tenderly, reverentiy
Goodnight, my child. Good nlgh
and pleasant dreams"
He watched her until she disap
peared from view. Then he plcKe'
up the sabers. Captain" he said
quietly. "come down."
There was a moment of silence ant
then a scared voice amid the over
hanging branches tremulously asked
Isis it all right?"
II guess so," cheerily replied th
Governor. What do you want VI
there, anyway"
II want-to come down.
The Carpetbagger laughed. us tha
why you went up?" he asked.
81 didn't know but it might be
little healthier for me up here"
Are you hunting Indians. tonight
Cap?"
"No-my commission hasn't go