Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-04

, hue of boiled lobster; but had made
up my mind to suffer and be strong,
and I capered on with him, like a
Maenad.
"Mr. Vivian hasn't appeared" he an
swered. 81 suppose one could hardly
expect a clergyman to countenance
balls. But saw Heron in the hall just
now, in company with an old party Of
imposing presence-a judge Really,
| I didn't catch the name"
My heart leaped into my throat My
grandfather! He was there-under
that very roof! Francis Heron had
brought him to the colonel's ball!
II think I must rest little, Sir Grif-
fin," gasped; pray take me to
seati"
We stopped near portiere, under
which Mrs. Van Vert CHANGED to be
standing, in conversation with Gwen
Talcott and a gentleman-yes, Francis
Heron himself The charming widow
thrust out an ostrich feather fan, with
tortoise shell mounts, and a monogram
in diamonds, and touched me lightly
on the shoulder.
stop, child" she implored, land let
me lock at you. All, Mr.. Heron, is she
not like something just out of frame"
1 stopped, and stared at Mrs. Van
Vert in unsophisticated admiration.
She was maryelously attired in pale
blue brocade, with a garniture Of price
less old lace, like hoar-frost. Magnifi-
cent diamonds sparkled on her plump
neck and arms, and in her fluffy red
hair. These were the jewels Of which
I had often heard, but never before
seen. So dazzled was that failed to
hear Heron's answer. But Gwen Tai
colt spoke up brislly:
MANY things are contained in frames
melons, for instance, and early Gu
cumbers. Heron, have you congrat-
ulated the future Lady Hopewood? For
my own part, am ready to quarrel
with Sir Griffin for capturing such
prize. American girls for their own
countrymen, say I! There ought to be
a national law prohibiting the exporta-
ton of our choice feminine products to
effete Europe"
Heron offered his congratulations,
but coldly. The pretty widow contin-
ued to regard me with a critical eye.
"A young girl is like butterfly In
the chrysalis state" she said, with
charming air Of wisdom. "One thinks
her tame-commonplac perhaps, till
an occasion like this comes, and pres
to-! her wings spread, and you see all
her beauty unfolded. What a pair OF
arms! No sculptor ever dreamed OF
anything lovelier! Let me try the ef-
feet Of jewels upon such fiesh.'
And before I knew what she was
about to do, she had snatched the dia-
mond bracelets from her own wrists,
and slipped them upon mine.
With the exception Of Sergia's little
ring, and the plain gold band that Sir
Griffin had put on my hand, possess
ed no ornaments. The bracelets were
superb. They clasped my flesh like
bands of white fire; and l., foolish
child. with a feminine passion for
trinkets, could only gaze at the Won
derful, blazing things in transport OF
admiration.
Heron frowned; Sir Griffin smiled.
Never believe, my dear Hazel, that
beauty unadorned is adorned the
most" laughed Mrs. Van Vert THAT
saving is grossly false! Confess, now,
that your arms are doubly dazzling in
these diamond fetters! You can see
for yourself that you were made ex-
pressly for such display"
was silly enough to like this Hat
terry. During my sojourn at Wolfsden
nv vanity had been we'll fed. touch
ed the bracelets caressingly, turning
them on my wrists in unconcealed de-
light.
"Oh, l would like to wear them al
ways!" l stammered. You must be
very, very happy, Mrs. Van Vert, in
the possession Of such treasures"
"Pooh!" scoffed blunt Gwen Talcott.
You little simpleton! Yours Is the
greater treasure! l would rather own
the arms than Mrs. Van Wcrt's dia-
mondS!"
I suddenly perceived that I was in
deed a simpleton. Ashamed Of my fol-
| ly. tore off the bracelets in such haste
that one fell to the floor. Heron pick
ed it up-examined 1t with the air Of
connoisseur. A curious expression ap-
peared on his sallow face.
May ask where these jewels were
purchased?" he said to Mrs Van Vert
I'm the East" she answered. Il have
heard my late husband say that they
once belonged to an Indian rajah. They
are, as you doubtless perceive, Of the
finest water.
He bowed without a word, clasped
the bracelet on her wrist. and turning
abruptly, went away into the crowd.
NV scattered wits returned.
"Oh, l must speak with Mr.. Heron"
cried. "I have something important
to say to him!" and broke from Sir
Griffin, and darted recklessly after our
Heroncroft neighbor. He plunged into
the thickest of the throng-I followed.
His small, lean figure disappeared from
my sight, but still pursued.
whittier so fast?" said the voice OF
Sergia. AS l glanced backward, saw
her at my shoulder, still attended by
Colonel Rivers Her fair face wore
bored, fatigued look.
II perceive that you arc lost Miss
Ferrers," laughed the colonel; shall
we take you in charger"
| II am searching for a-a-friend,' l
faltered. rs not the bal delightful?"
II find it very stupid" answered Ser
gia. There is positively no one here"
why, thought everybody had come
but Mr.. Vivian!" l gasped, and pushed
desperately on after Heron. 1 came up
with him in the hall, which had been
transformed into a bower Of bloom.
l nd