Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-02

CHAPTER IX-Continued.
looked curiously at the young
nreacber. Verify, he was Of kingD
presence; tall, symmetrical Win
classic head we'll set upon a white col
umn of a throat, and pale profile a.
severely regular as Greek statue. Ills
splendid eyes and hair were OF deep
tawnv leonine tint. Like Absalom o'
old from the crown Of his head &c
the sole of his foot, one could see nc
fault in him. ,,
.Is YOUR errand very importantT
purred Sergia.
"Yes," he replied. There is wo-
man dangerously i'll at the Blackpirds
Nest am on my way to visit her.
dangerously I'LL" repeated Sergia
with a startled look Perhaps you
mean dying. Has the poor creature
sent for your"
"Yes-the man Bagley brought her
message"
with the thin shadows Of the mock
orange adrift on her white gown ano
yellow love-locks, she kept her 1alr
face upturned to him with meditative
air.
81 see that gossip for once speaks
truly" she murmured. you are ac-
tually making an impression upon THESE
turbulent natives Strange that no
body ever thought before to try mission
work among them! They seem to have
borne their present scandalous reputa-
tion for a long time
Long enough, certainly" he answer
ed in a grave tone; "but the credit OF
the movement belongs entirely to He
ron. You may not know it, but your
cousin Is devoted to his mill people,
Francis Heron was standing near by
waiting with a sort Of moody indiner-
ence till his fiancee should deign him
word or glance.
IT did not suppose that Francis could
be devoted to anything" she said' In
a mocking voice. Pray, Mr.. VIVIAN
tell me about your plans and purposes
in regard to these Crows-no, Black
birds. 1 am not very stupid can ap-
preciate a noble effort when I am
brought face to face with It,"
Heron interposed sharply.
Better not keep Vivian here, cousin
That woman at the Nest may have
something important to say, and ten
to one her time is limited"
Sergia shuddered.
"Oh, go at once, Mr.. VIVIAN she
said, remorsefully. II would not detain
you for the world-I quite forgot!
Some other time
"Take the trap. old fellow!" cried
Heron. II can be Of no use to you,
so / will stay with the ladies, and you
can call for me as you return"
VERY WELL" answered Mr.. Vivian.
He lifted his hat to Sergia and my
self, and a moment later we saw him
through the shrubbery driving rapidly
away in Heron's trap.
Sergia leaned back in her garden
chair, and unfurled a faded satin fan
painted with dancing shepherdesses-
it's ivory sticks yellow with age.
my dear Francis" she drawled,
pray sit down-you look exceedingly
cross, and ready to melt with fervent
heat, like the elements in the last
dread day. May I offer you this fan
No? Look at it closely. Papa sent II
to me from Paris-he paid an incredi-
BILE sum for it. It was once the prop
erty Of the Marquise de Pompadour."
Francis Heron remained grimly ST.
lent and let her ramble on.
These dancing shepherdesses were
painted by Boucher, in his famous
pink-and-blue satin-draped boudoir-
atelier, where the grande seigneurs
used to throng. The perfumes Of Mar
ly and Versailles linger still in the sat-
in. Think of the old court balls at
which it once fluttered!-think of the
court secrets that have been whisper
ed behind it in the pauses Of the
dance!"
"Pompadour," said Heron, dryly;
that was the Jezebel who did her best
for twenty years, to finish all that was
left of French morals! The name was
infamous enough in its day, and thor
oughly detested throughout France;
and the modern craze Of good and in
nocent women for bringing 1t to the
fore, attached to the fashions they fol-
low, the gowns they wear, is one Of the
queerest things in life!"
Sergia laughed.
Francis, you positively grow more
disagreeable every day! am glad that
you came here this morning. per-
ceive that there is burden on your
mind. 1t is time for us to understand
each other"
1 attempted to rise from the seat
where l had been sitting silent through
the conversation, but Sergia held me
gently down.
Stay, HAZEL" she commanded
there will be nothing said to which you
may not listen. I am sure Francis
does not mind having you here"
Not at ALL" said Heron, promptly.
She looked at him with mocking eyes
over the top of the faded Pompadoul
fan.
Francis" she began, sweetly, "yor
and I are not and have never been
lovers. Our betrothal was the worl
of your father and mine. They are
now dead, and we are not foolish
enough, hope, to abide by their blum
ders 1 ask you to release me from
my engagement"
He evinced no surprise. Plainly the
request was not unexpected.
rs this your own wish, Sergia, ol
Colonel Rivers?" he asked, dryly.
1T is both mine and the coloners,'
she replied, with a little moue. my
guardian has never looked with favor
on the match-indeed, he absolutely re-
fuses to give 1t his approval"
II can readily believe that! Since
the day when he assumed control OF
you and your fortune his face has
been set against me. But let thai