Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-11-16
By Eta w. PIERCE.

garrulouS fountain, the ngureS OF WV
women.
One young, one old, with the air of
duenna-both dressed in sober garb
The girl sat digging holes in the tur
with the point Of her parasol, a sun
beam the while slipping through TIT
boughs overhead down upon her hand
some, dropping face. Varneck looked
stopped short, looked again, then made
q great stride forward, his voice rising
almost to a cry.
"Sibyl! Sibyl!"
The parasol slipped from her hold
She sprang to her feet. So did Rebeccs
Hardin. The next moment, Serle Var.
neck was crushing her two hands In nj;
own-was bearing down upon her
with great, bold. passion-bright eyes.
AT last!" he cried-"at last, ! have
found you, Sibyl!"
She changed rapid color, and tried
to withdraw her captive palms. but
could not, so. let them rest in his. Re-
becca stood looking grimly off into the
distance.
Miss Sibyl," she muttered, Il will
take a turn around the square," and sc
departed, leaving the pair together.
Heaven bless the woman!" cried
Varneck, fervently; look at me, speak
to me, give me your promise now
Sibyl, for 1 am free!"
They took the seats beneath the
spreading trees. Neither spoke for q
while after this. They sat, exchanging
troth- plight with their eyes, before
their lips uttered sound.
Miss Varneck has, Of her own will
released me from our engagement
Now may 1 call myself your lover
Sibyl?"
Then he told her all.
II could leave you no word" said
Sibyl, thoughtfully, 'for knew nothing
Of our destination. There came a WIS.,
itor to my mother one night. and by
daybreak the next morning we left
Hammerton. We have taken up our
abode in 4 house near by. I never go
out, except for an early stroll here with
Rebecca-she is, as you, see, very good
to me-"
He took her face in his two hands.
Particularly now, when she walks SO
slow, and turns her back upon us! You
must let me see this mother Of yours
at once, Sibyl! May I call today?"
She let her head sink forward to-
ward his shoulder. 1t was fortunate
nobody was in the square but Rebecca
"Oh," she murmured, in an ecstasy
Of contentment, ARE you sure / am
not dreaming? I fear-I greatly fear
mamma will not in the least approve
Of you. Rebecca assures me she will
never let me marry"
"Monstrous!" cried Varneck. MY
dubious opinion Of her deepens. Pray
answer me, when can see herr"
"Rebecca alone can tell you," sighed
Sibyl. I'VE live as secluded here as at
Hammerton. She only knows my
mothers hours"
ed them, with downcast eyes. Sibyl i'm
mediately sprang up, coloring glorious
ly as she did so.
"Rebecca," she stamered, looking un-
speakaaly beautiful, in her mingled
pride and confusion, "Mr. Varneck
wishes much to see mamma. Do you
think he mayo
Rebecca gave the big blonde gentle
man a good, long look.
Mrs. Arnault," she answered, "nev-
er sees strangers. The last one l let
in upon her scared Us all from Ham,
merton"
She must both see and hear me,
said Mr.. Varneck, "and that without
delay Will you have the goodness to
mention an hour when may call?"
Her stolid face grew more stolid still
"She has an early tea at SIX" said
she; Il might possibly admit visitor
then, though, tell you now, it will do
no good She will never let Miss Sibyl
marry. l will walk once more around
the square and then we must 60"
So this indulgent Rebecca left them
a little longer to the honeyed sweetness
Of that old, old story, forever new.
Promise me-" urged Varneck, a lit
tie dubiously, that. whether your
mother approves my suit or otherwise
nothing shall now part us. Sibyl"
Il promise!" she answered.
When Rebecca came slowly back, she
found them standing in the shadow OF
the trees. Varneck bold and radiant
Sibyrs proud head held down.
"Yonder is the house." said Rebecca,
pointing with her gray-gloved finger
across the quiet square.
AT six o'clock tonight. them" said
Varneck.
Since you insist"
A touch of slim hands. a long look
a sign, then she went off with Rebecca
and Varneck stood and watched them
both. till they disappeared together in
side the dwelling thus named; then
with a ringing step. he returned to his
lady mother, whom he found pensively
awaiting him, over her fast-cooline
breakfast.
Il do not believe in such early
tramps!" she cried. fretfully, as he en-
tered, especially on an empty stomach
they are always followed by a great
reaction. How strange you look!
What can have happened to you. sir;
Tell me at once!'
"A blessed, joyful thing has happen
ed. mother-I have found her!"
Mrs. Varneck gave a start and a
grOan.
My smelling salts! Fortunately. II
Is not altogether an unexpected blow
l can only hope that she may make yor
happy. Serle-as happy as ! am sure
your poor cousin would have done"
There isn't & doubt of it," he an
swered, dryly. After this mother, yor
must be more generous with Lucy
myself have settled yearly sum upor
her."
Punctual at six that night, Varnecl
set forth to keep his appointment with
Rebecca He crossed the quiet square