Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-04
ed, incoherently. Il have promised Sir

monopolizes all your time, OF late. You
remember the night Of Judge Ferrers's
arrival? You stood at the gate, and
saw us drive by together"
"Yes; oh, yes!"
HE has been my guest since that date
he is to remain my guest for week
longer. I induced him to come with
me tonight-no easy matter, for he abb
hors balls-in the hope that you two
might be brought face to face here"
A lump arose in my throat.
How good of you! Oh! where Is
he ?" and looked wildly around. SHOW
him to me, Mr.. Heron! That night
when you passed the gate-I caught
only one little glimpse Of him. Has
he spoken Of me since he came to He
roncroft? He must know that l am
near"
HE has not spoken Of you" he an
swered. "Yes, he knows, Of course, but
It is not easy to understand Judge
Ferrers. Come with me, and we Will
find him."
I forgot that Heron was my rejected
lover-that his eyes still told embar-
RAISING tales when he looked at me-l
felt only the bond which his intimacy
with Judge Ferrers had established be-
tween US.
Together we traversed the long hall.
Through open doors we saw the ter
race and the chestnut walks, hung with
colored lights. and the white jets OF
fountains at play-saw the supper room,
with flower wreathed chandeliers, and
long tables sparkling with silver and
crystals. We heard rich fabrics rust
ling on the stair, low laughter and soft
whispers behind the huge jars OF palms,
and the band crashing in the ball room.
So we came to small apartment-a
waiting room, adjoining Colonel Riv-
ers's library. Heron glanced In, gave
my hand a reassuring pressure, and
drew me across the threshold. Judge
Ferrers was there, withdrawn from
| the revelers, and quietly talking to an
old acquaintance that he had found at
Wolfsden-Mr. Talcott.
The room had many mirrors, set In
plush frames fiat against the wall. An
antique lamp, fed with perfumed oil,
swung by a chain from the ceiling, and
directly beneath 1t, in an easy chair,
sat my grandfather-the only one be-
ing on earth, so far as I knew, that
was akin to me.
I saw that he looked feeble and very
old-that his fierce eyebrows hung
lower than ever over his cold, search
ing eyes-that the hard, bitter lines In
his face had only increased with years.
Then Heron led me straight up to the
deep chair. From several points OF
view broke at once on my grandfath-
er's sight, for the swinging lamp shone
softly down upon my head, and In the
mirrors on the wall my face and figure
were multiplied in many reflections.
Judge Ferrers," said Heron, your
granddaughter is anxious to make your
acquaintance-it gives me great pleas
ure to introduce her in due form!'
His voice-he was saying something
to Mr.. Talcott-died suddenly on his
lips. In my white ball dress. was
like the daughter that he had idolized
in the dawn Of her womanhood, be-
fore her great transgression? Did l
look at him with my mothers eyes!
He started up from the chair-his face
grew white, almost CHASTITY, in the
lamplight.
"Grandfather!" 1 faltered, unmindful
that he had long before disowned me.
He made no answer. Heron touched
his arm.
after all these years, have you no
word for your daughters child? Say
something kind to her now-pray do!"
he entreated.
Judge Ferrers leaned suddenly on
Heron's shoulder.
"I am ill.," he muttered. Make my
excuses to your host, and take me
home, boy! This is my just punish
ment for coming with you tonight-at
my age, a man should forswear balls
Then, by a great effort, as it seemed,
he collected himself, and turned to me-
He looked as hard as flint.
| Miss Ferrers-you are called by that
name, 1 believe" he said, in freez-
ing tone-"pardon me, must now re-
tire. When 1 wish to see you again l
will send for you!"
| Heron had implored him to say some
thing kind to me, and this was his only
response! He moved toward the door.
The master of Heroncroft gave me one
eloquent look and followed. Watched
them go, then fell into the easy chair
which my grandfather had vacated un-
der the lamp Mr.. Talcott had the
deIics CIV to retire without word, clos
ing the door behind him. l was left
alone in the little waiting room.
| NV heart seemed breaking! Tears
had not changed that stern old man.
AS he had hated me in my childhood
he hated me still! Not even Sir Grif-
fms love could console me at that mo-
ment. In spite Of all Judge Ferrers's
unkindness to my murdered mother,
his ill-usage of me, the tie of blood as
serted itself in my heart. 1 longed to
go to him-to love and comfort him, In
his dreary old age. The JOY OF my
first ball was done; there could be no
more pleasure for me this night Sir
Griffin would be seeking me, doubtless,
but crouched there in the great chair,
spoiling both my eyes and my white
fnery with fast falling tears.
Presently a draught of wind from a
bow window near me extinguished the
swinging lamp. was left In darkness.
AS l arose to grope my way to the door,
heard steps on the terrace; they drew
nearer and nearer. / remembered that
some garden chairs were ranged out
side the window.
| There was rustle-a murmer. Some
one had appropriated the seats. Ihe
E.NaNN