Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-10-01


y reached New York.
will not stay an instant with these
creatures in the room!"
A lively scrimmase ensued. The
dogs, all unused to such treatment,
barked enough to raise the roof, dart
ed hither and thither, swapping vicious
ly at Mrs. Hare's legs and reducing
that meek person to utter despair. At
last Sibyl came to the rescue, and at
the first sound of her voice the brutes
flew to her and suffered her to turn
them forth without the slightest re-
sistance, and close the door upon them.
"You seem," said Mrs. Varneck, eye
ing her in deep distrust-"you seem to
be on excellent footing with my sons
pets"
Sibyl answered nothing. She stood
looking from one to the other OF the
two and expecting she knew not what.
Mrs. Varneck fixed her eyeglasses still
more severely on her pale-blue eyes.
Il came from New York today ex-
pressly to see you. 1t Is rather fortu-
nate than otherwise that Serle is not
here, for I can talk with you more
freely in consequence. My son, singu-
larly enough, has never once mentioned
you in his letter to ,meSeFGsee -bucySI
but have servant Of my own here
who keeps us informed Of all that
passes at Beechwood. I hear you have
been educated in a convent. You look
very young and well-bred. You are
probably very ignorant. I doubt If you
have any idea Of conversationalism, as
observed by society-any conception OF
the evil things spoken by tho world OF
very innocent people"
Sibyl still looked like a statue. Not
understanding in the least the drift OF
the others words, how could she an
swer?
why, my dear Miss Arnault," pur-
sued Varneck's mother, Il ask 1t for
your own good-why do you compro-
shut up in this lonely old house with
a young, handsome man, living entire
ly in his company, as Barney tells me
you do, sailing on the lake with him
till midnight
"Madame!"
"a man, too, my dear child, who Ia,
and has been these two years, engaged
to his cousin, Miss Varneck."
The solid earth seemed shaking be-
meath Sibyl's feet. A cry Of intolera-
BILE pain rose to her lips, but the cold,
steely gaze Of Lady Varneck froze 1t
there before 1t found utterance. En-
gagged! to that thin, plain, high-feat-
ured woman!
"Serle is an absurd fellow" said
Miss Varneck, spreading her bejeweled
hands to the fire; romantic-caught
by every new face! I could not bear
with his follies, did 1 not know his
heart to be faithful through 1t all to
me-"
Series mother turned her face. She
found the sight of the tall, white, tras-
ic girl vastly uncomfortable.
Lucy and I haze the weakest OF
nerves." she protested. querulously.
I'VE came here today solely for Series
good. It Is a great exertion for me to
travel, and l abhor Beecnwood. But
so many unkind things have already
been said. To Lucy it is great tr.a'.
We have made up our minds to remain
so long as you are my sons guest"
In that case," cried Sibyl, her great
eyes flashing fire on them both, your
stay need not be but brief! I leave
this very hour-yes, this moment! 1
regret that have caused you so mucn
trouble-regret, exceedingly, any un-
easiness of mind 1 may have given
Miss Varneck!"
Aunt, L warned you!" lnurmured
the last name person. Il knew there
would be scene"
Sibyl went sweeping grandly to the
door. Mrs. Varneck rose.
II do not deny" she said, that such
course would be the most prudent.
Nevertheless, 1 do not wish to hurry
you. The next train leaves in half an
hour I think Barney told me your
relatives lived somewhere in the vi
cinity Of New York"
Barney has told you so much" an
swered Sibyl, that I cannot think of
adding a word to his testimony, There
fore, with your permission. I will now
withdraw"
She cast one last look at Serle Var
neck's high featured lady mother, an
other at Serle Varneck's betrothed wife
at the plain, colorless face that star
ed resentfully back at her, then swept
them a deep bow and rushed blindly
up the stair to her own room. At the
threshold she met Patty.
Gracious me, miss" cried the lat
ter, starting back at sight Of her face,
you're going?"
"Yes-good-by! said Sibyl.
"Oh, Lord, miss, I knew what they'd
come for!" pursued Patty, following