Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-11-09
CHAPTER XIV.


household had dined. Series mother
was mapping in a corner, with hano-
kerchief flung over her face. DIVERS
whinfs of blue smoke, faint but unmls-
taxable odors of Turkish tobacco that
would creep in from the adjoining haii,
betrayed the immediate presence Oh
serle himself. Lucy, with an air OF
deep disgust, opened the door ana
peered out.
.wiu YOU never have done with that
horrid pipe? she called. Aunt mas
gone to sleep and it Is dreadfuliy ouli
in here
A smart rush answered her-a Choir
us of Joyful barks. Through the ooor
one spotted nose was thrust, and theh
others. brown and eager, mixed, with
Iona, sleek ears and shining paws.
"The dogs again!" cried Lucy, her
voice painfully like signal for patle'
"I absolutely will not have them'
Serle; call them off! Why Will you
turn every room Of the house into
kennel?"
Tall. blond, handsome Serle appeared
upon the threshold with an enormous
Turkish pipe in his hand.
Poor brutes!" said he, patting the
riotous heads Of the intruders as ne i
drove them back. You do nave
hard time of it. Sorry they give you
such infinite trouble, Lucy"
Miss Varneck looked angrily at the
fair, cool Viking. Her protracted
visit at his old country house had not
improved her face or her temper Ihe
rich dinner dress she wore seemed
rather to increase than diminish her
fatal plainness. Above the bridge OF
her powdered nose two deep, shrewish |
lines began to show.
by day." she answered. 1T Is your
dogs and endless smoke, and by night
your music, which Is enough 10 turn
ones head. I'm sure aunt Is nsnt
when she says she has not mad an
hours peace since entering this house.
Serle lifted his heavy brows.
How unfortunate ami" he said,
dryly. II begin to fear shall have to
take myself and my uncivilized ways
into the servants quarters.
His mother in the corner started sud-
denly from her nap and shook herself.
Here are Lucy and myself sacrificing
the whole season to you, -ungrateful
boy" she said, plaintively; when, too.
the springs are unusually gay; and this
place is full Of typhus, and Beechwood
is so damp it will be nothing less than
an tnterposition Of Providence II we do
not have 1t here"
True" said Serle, nothing more
likely!"
And YOU talk Of 1t in that tonei
Close the house. beg you, and let us
fly to the springs. Fever Is considered
fatal in our family. How a man OF
your birth and fortune can persist in
this absurd life Is beyond cornprehen-
sion."
He look exceedingly bored.
"As 1 have told you before, it suits
me perfectly. The springs? Not any,
thank you. But as regards yourself
and Lucy, you do we'll to take the
alarm in time"
she SnOt MIN an angry
II understand you, but we do not
leave Beechwood until you go with US
AS your mother, Serle. this is my duty"
The matter did not appear so plain
to him.
In that case" said he, dryly: ''you
may safely consider yourself located. I
only regret the place has so few at
fractions for all save me. Neither OF
you improve in looks or spirits here"
That's not strange!" cried Lucy
Varneck, Indignantly. I'VE are left
constantly to ourselves. You live in
the saddle, and ignore us altogether.
We are tormented with your dogs by
day, and our sleep is murdered by night
with your endless music"
My poor cousin!" cried Serle. iron
ically, what a picture of martyrdom!
Well, what can you expect? A leopard
cannot change his spots. greatly fear,
like my hounds, am now too old to
learn new tricks"
Lucy craned her neck out OF the
window.
Here is Barney with the phaeton,
aunt. 1 for one am going out for an
airing. l shall be sure to have typhus,
shut up in this poky old house day af-
ter day."
"Serle must go with you," said Mrs.
Varneck, Il have a headache"
He has some aria to practice" scott
ed Lucy, "or an engagement out with
his dogs.
Serle rose up listlessly, smothering
a yawn.
IF you would like me to drive you,
instead of Barney, am quite at your
service"
Very WELL" she answered, shortly; |
Il am ready" and rang for Patty to
bring her hat and mantle.
The evergreens lay sleeping in a
fervid sun, which shone in brassy |
heaven, without cloud. Serle handed
his cousin silently into the phaeton.
Il advise" called Mrs. Varneck af-
ter them, that you ride through the
upper portion of the town. All those
working people live below, and they
are sure to have the fever"
Serle took the reins from Barney,
and with bored looked deepening on
his face, drove out through the gate
and into the road, which wound like
a gray ribbon through the parched and
stricken town. There was silence for
a space. Miss Varneck watched his
cold, preoccupied face cOvertly with
glow of rage Frightening her pale eyes.
'Serle," she burst out at last, you
are thinking of that girl"
He turned slightly and gave her
look.
And If ann"
You have no right" she cried, pee
vishly.
Lucy, how long is this to go on?
For my own part, l am heartily tired
OF it."
You have told me that before" said