Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-28

Let us sit down here together" and
she appropriated a chair by the win
dow, and pointed him to another near
her. Never had he seen her look more
lovely. A robe of silvery wool was
girde1 about her full figure Her fair
hair swept her hips in loose braids,
curling into large rings at the tips.
The shadows under her violet eyes
her unusual pallor-gave to her beau
ty a new, pathetic charm.
II want to talk Of the night Of the
ball, guardy," she gravely explained
ito tell you that know quite we'll who
the person was that stabbed me on the
terrace. 1 distinctly saw her face, as
she burst out Of the vines. When l
came to my senses, you declared that
some Blackbird was my assailant. I
did not contradict you, because I was
sure you made the statement simply
to pacify me; but now say, the person
who tried to kill me that night was
your housekeeper Mrs. Steele"
He looked greatly disconnected.
81 am sorry you have discovered the
truth, Sergia, for it involves me In
painful explanations, which had hop
ed to evade. Mrs. Steele was beside
herself that night with-yes, I must
confess it jealousy. The woman has
lately conceived for me strange, ridi-
culous passion"
Sergia started.
"Oh, guardy!"
Now you understand everything
you not, dear child?" he queried, gent
ly-"particularly the secrecy and 81
lence which I have tried to preserve
throughout the affair? Yes, Mrs. Steele
was playing eavesdropper behind the
vines; she heard me declare my love
for you; the rest you know. Perhaps
you wonder why I have not sought to
punish her-to eXpel her from Wolfs-
den. All, Sergia, is she not my fellow
sufferer, and as such, can I refuse to
pity her? / too, have loved in vain,
and my own misery makes me indul-
gent to others. Besides. the poor Great
ure implored forgiveness on her knees,
and begged to remain here long enough
to show her penitence. She acknowl-
edged it was my heart at which she
struck, not yours. She meant you no
harm. Autumn is at hand-we must
soon leave Wolfsden. l do not care to
engage a new housekeeper, so / con-
sented to let her remain for the rest OF
our stay. I feel convinced that she
will do no further violence to any one"
Sergia looked at him so earnestly that
he grew embarrassed.
"I know what you think" he said
"a Jealous woman is never to be trust
ed.
"'Hell hath no fury like
her. Well, speak the word. and Mrs.
Steele shall leave my house this very
hour!"
mo, no, guardy!" she answered.
gravely-"don't drive her away. If you
can forgive her. I must not hesitate to
do likewise. But what madness for her
to love you, and attempt your murder!
I am glad-glad that l could take the
blow, and so, perhaps, save your life!"
The tears glistened in her eyes. He
looked at her with almost wolfish long
| ing.
| "Yes, you took the blow!" he cried.
Your tender white flesh interposed be-
twixt me and the knife. Merciful Heav-
en-, If loved you before, how can /
do otherwise than adore you now?"
She colored family.
Don't guardy!" she said, in visible
distress.
II must, Sergia!-I cannot keep ST.
lent. | know well that
"'To be loved makes not to love again;
but examine your heart once more.
Now that it has stood betwiXt me and
death, does it not warm to me little
very little? Can you save my life
multiply my love an hundredfold-and
yet leave me without hope? Who loves
you as do? To whom are you so pre-
cious-so indispensable? Try to un-
derstand something of what l suffer"
| She sighed heavily.
| 1T is true that nobody cares for me
as you do, guardy. You are the best