Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-11

ings."
'I dare say" replied Miss Carbury,
somewhat bewildered. And we will
purchase everything in Paris-that will
be some compensation for the barren
arrangements and almost indecent
haste of your marriage. All, If / could
have my way, there should be we'd
ding at Trinity, with orange blossoms
and duchess satin, point lace and the
wedding march, and the creme de la
creme to look admiringly on"
Sergia shuddered.
Miss Carbury, do you think I could
live through all that?" she said. hoarse-
ly. "You mean well, but you don't un-
derstand"
WELL" replied the elder woman, with
a heavy sigh of renunciation. Il can't
think how you will be able to bear the
rush and distraction of our present pro-
gramme. We all know that you have
not yet recovered your strength"
"I am as vigorous as an Amazon!"
cried Sergia, sharply. do not put so
much as a straw in my way. go to-
night!-if I knew the effort would kill
me, still would go!'
and turned her face to the wall. After
that, Miss Carbury said no more.
Meanwhile, in Mrs. Steele's private
sitting room, below stairs, Pitt Rivers
was closeted with his yellow-eyed
The conference, whether
important or otherwise, was brief
From it the colonel emerged slightly
ruffied in look, and proceeded to dis
charge all the Wolfsden servants, with
a months extra wages, and an order to
quit the house by nightfall. He then
directed the preparations for the jour
ney to town, sent Martin away with the
luggage, and finally hurrid to Sergia's
chamber, where he found his ward al
ready dressed for the railway ride. A
fierce exultation famed in his eyes, as
he bent over her sofa, and took her pas
sive white hand in his own.
IN a few hours you will be mine
forever, Sergia," he said.
The delicate fingers trembled a little,
but she answered, bravely:
81 told you in the garden that
would never recall my promise, guardy
i never will" .r..,
my darlingI 1t was a fortunate
thing for me that you went to Heron
croft today!"
She shuddered convulsively. He
caught her in his arms.
Il do not mean to distress you-l
will not even ask you to disclose your
secret. That visit drove you to my
heart for comfort and consolation. Why
should care about the cause. when the
effect is all that 1 can desire?" and he
laughed softly, joyously. For weeks
my sole purpose has been to win you,
Sergia. Look in my facets it not the
face of a man who knows, at last, what
happiness is?"
She shivered out Of his embrace.
you love me too much!" she fall
tered.
He shook his handsome head.
THAT cannot be; will yet teach you
to return my passion in full. For your
sake, I mean to forget my past, and be-
gin a new life-I mean But I cam
not talk of these things now. BY nine
o'clock we shall reach our city hotel.
1t is best for us to remain strictly in
cognito there till the steamer sails, and
so avoid all gossip. Once on the other
side Of the Atlantic, I can defy the
world-no human power can then take
you from me-"
She listened, without comprehending
You know what is BEST" she said,
listlessly. 81 will do as you wish,
guardy."
The trio We're to dine at Wolfsden,
and under cover of darkness take the
evening express for town. Only one
servant remained in the house to assist
Mrs. Steele. Just before the dinner
hour struck, Miss Carbury descended
to the dining room to speak a few
words to the housekeeper. She found
the table spread, but the apartment
was empty. From an adjoining pam
try, however issued the murmur of
voices Miss Carbury was not above
temptation. She moved softly to a
communicating door, which chanced to
be standing ajar, and listened.
You must stop this marriagei"
1t was Mrs. Steele who spoke.
How the deuce am / going to stop
it, Maisie?" came the answer, in
sulky masculine tone.
Kill one or the other!"
"Humph! Suppose you do that little
job yourself?"
Il have tried and failed!-you might
be more successful"
Il take no risks, Maisie-not If know
myself-you're off your head"
Il tell you he shall never marry her!'
Very we'll, my lady-put an end to
the business, if you can. A jealous wo-
man stops at nothing"
Miss Carbury could bear no more.
She flung back the door Of the pantry.
At a shelf stood Mrs. Steele, arranging
some pieces of china. Her face was
turned toward an open window near
by, over the sill of which a masculine
head sank suddenly and disappeared.
"Oh." cried Miss Carbury, who was
that man? l heard you talking to him
about killing people, and stopping Miss
Poles marriage. You dreadful woman!
Something extraordinary has come
over you of late-I ought to call Col
onel Rivers
Behind her glasses. Mrs. Steele's eyes
glowed like twin fire opals.
you must be dreaming" she said.
mo man has been here-I have not ut
tered a word to any one"
And then, as If disdaining further
subterfuge, she seized the old woman
by the shoulders, and pushed her vio-
lently out of the pantry.
"Eavesdropper! IDIOT" she cried.
GO your own way, and don't dare to
meddle again with mel"
Poor Miss Carbury tottered into the