Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-11-12
By Eta w. PIERCE.

take her from me! Never let me set
her again!"
She shrieked out, sharp and strong
for mercy.
"Guardy! Guardy! Oh, you cannot
mean it,"
But, deaf for once to her voice, he
turned his face and waved her away
with uplifted hands.
BE Off" he shouted, in a terrible
voice.
She staggered to her feet She stood
gazing blankly, not at Trent or Htda
but at that stricken old man.
She turned about, walked blindly to
the door, opened it and disappeared w
the long, cool stair.
The lawyer and Miss Burr looked al
each other.
You must have been at infinite pains
to discover all this" said she.
1T was worth infinite palms." he an
swered.
The general reared his fallen head
with a flash Of rage.
Away with you both!" he cried
Leave me alone. You are p pair OF
cunning serpents! Don't stay here to
gloat over me! Oh, Arthur! Oh, my
boy!"
They left him sitting with his face
hidden in his hands, stepped out into
the hall and closed the door between.
"wen," said Hilda, looking at Trent
"she has quarreled with Arthur, and
the general has cast her out. I think
may now safely say our beautiful
Paulette will never be mistress Of Ha-
Eel Hail."
Right" said Mr.. Trent; neither
will our dear boy Arthur ever be mas
ter of it."
What do you mean?" she demanded
with quick suspicion.
He stroked his long mustaches.
We have had sensation enough fol
one day." he answered, carelessly; "tae
rest will keep till the general is a trif1e
T6GONSICu. SuPpOSC SOo oN ~ S~AN S~~
what Paulette Is doing"
You have done all this from sheer
revenge. In your heart, dare say, you
love her STILL
Pm not in the least inclined to open
my heart to you today" he answered
dryly; "go, l say! i did not like heI
look. Women sometimes resort to prus-
sic acid under such circumstances, and
that would not do at ALL"
Il wish to heaven she would" NUT
tered Hilda, viciously; and, obedient to
the voice of her master, she ascended
the stairs and raped at Paulette's door
There was no reply. She listened
breathlessly at the keyhole, but heard
not the faintest sound within.
"Spiteful thing! Of course, she'll not
open to me-" said Hilda, and hastened
to join Trent again. IF you get d,
her at all you will have to break down
the door"
They walked back and forth through
the hall, listening for some noise from
the drawing room, hearing nothing
there; listening for some movement
above stairs, hearing nothing. Mr.
Trent looked placid, Miss Burr, sulky.
II know Arthurs Quixotic spirit" said
she. What if he should marry her
after all? The disgrace Of her birtf
will not weigh in the least with him
believe me; he will not care two straws
about her mother"
Calm your fears" smiled Mr.. Trent;
in this enlightened land it is votet
rank irupropriety to marry another
mans wife. Paulette was married three
years and more ago while an actress or
the stage to a poor rake Of scene.
painter named st. John. A second alli-
ance, therefore, is, you see, out of the
question"
Hilda stood in blank bewilderment.
Then" said she, slowly, ten to one
it was her husband she went out tt
meet at the dead hour Of night"
Hal" cried Mr.. Trent; will revela'
tions never cease? When was that?"
She recounted the matter with srea
cheerfulness. He looked supernaturallI
grave.
Here's another affair for the gener'
ais consideration" said he. Isn't thi:
silence getting rather ghostly? Suppose
we look in upon him? He may have
had one of his alarming fits"
Even as the lawyer spoke the door o.
the drawing room flew wide open. OF
its threshold, tall, straight, terrible, hi:
white hair flying, his old eyes flashing
under his bleached brows, stood th'
general.
Where is she?" he cried, looking
wildly around Your arm, Trent. He'll
me up the stair!'
Leaning heavily on the lawyer, quite
unconscious, it seemed, of all the agonie
in his gouty foot, the old lion mounted
to Paulette's door. He took hold ant
shook it with all his strength.
open, POLLY" he cried; open to mt
your grandfather"
No answer. No sound within-nt
movement.
Call the servants" he cried, to Trent
Ito break down the door,"
Trent obeyed, looking very odd ant
uncomfortable The hinges were force'
in a twinkling. The three rushed to
gether into Paulette's chamber. TIL
fading day filled it with daffodil light
They looked around. 1t was utterl!
empty and deserted. On the bed la,
the lace dinner-dress she had throw
off; on her dressing table, the string o
old Guilte pearls-the generals gift
she had taken from her neck.
Polly" he cried, wildly, where ar
you, my darling?"
But no voice answered him, for sh
was gone.
CHAPTER XXVI.
lic