Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-04-22
CHAPTER %.
A Kettle of Fish.

/ saw the nedNy lace VI MI. IdhSi-
ham go pale, saw the face of the Bar
oness Won Ritz flash with a swift resO-
luton, saw the eyes Of Mr.. Calhoun
and Mr.. Tyler meet in firmnesS. An
instant later, Mr.. Tyler rose and bowed
our dismissal.
Mr.. Pakenham drew apart and en-
gagged i'm earnest speech with the lady
who mad accompanied him; so that
meantime l myself found opportunity
for a word with Mr.. Calhoun.
Now" said |. the fat certainly is
all in the fire."
Mr.. Calhoun took snuff.
You don't know women. my son, and
you don't know men, either" The thin
white skin about his eyes wrinkled.
Certainly, don't know what arts
may have been employed in Mr.. CAL
houns office at half-past two this
morning" l smiled frankly now at my
chief. and he relaxed in turn.
I'VE had a most pleasant visit of an
hour. A delightful woman, charming
woman, and one of intellect as well. /
appealed to her heart. her brain, her
purse and she laughed for the most
part Yet she argued, too, and seemed
to have some. interest-as you see
proved now. All, wish l could have
had the other two great motives to add
to my appeal"
"Meaning-?"
"LOve-and curiosity! With those
added, l could have won her over; for
believe me, she is none too firmly an
chored to England. am sure of that,
though it leaves me still puzzled. If
you think her personal hold on yOnder
gentleman will be lessened, you err" he
added. in a low voice. Il consider it
sure that he is bent on her as much as
he is on England. See, she has him
back in hand already! | would she
We're our friend"
rs she not?" | asked suddenly.
I'VE two may answer that one day"
said Calhoun enigmaticaly.
Now | offered to Mr. Calhoun the
note | had received from his page.
This journey tonight" l began; can
/ not be excused from making that?
There is a very special reason"
What can it be-" asked Calhoun.
frownng.
Il am to be married tonight, sir"
said l, calmly as could.
1t was Colhoun's turn now to be sur
prised Married? Zounds, boy. what
do you mean? There is no time to
waste"
Il do not hold it quite wasted, sir,
said l with dignity. Miss Elisabeth
Churchill and l for a long time"
Miss Elisabeth! So tine wind is
there, Ell? Ny daughters friend. l
know her very We'll, of course. Very
well done, indeed. for you. But there
can be no wedding tonight"
l looked at him in amazement. He
was as absorbed as though he felt en-
powered to settle that matter for me.
A moment later seeing Mr.. Pakenham
taking his leave he stepped To the side
of the baroness.
Mr.. Trist," said Mr.. Calhoun, Il beg
YOU u llllN lllN I'Stl'i'NN N'ii iNlNS ~
ncr carriage, which will wait at the
avenue" We We're then standing near
the door at the head of the steps
So now l took the lady's SunShad"
from her hand. and we tw0. making
adieuX. passed down the shaded walk
toward the avenue.
You are a good cavalier" she said
10 me. Il find you not so fat as Mr..
Pakenham. nor so thin as Mr.. Calhoun.
My faith. could you have seen that
gentleman this morning in wrapper-
and in red worsted nightcap."
But what did you dctermine?
asked her suddenly. What has my
chief said to cause you to fail poor Mr.
Pakenham as you did? | pitied the
poor man, in such grueling, and
wholly without warning"
Monsieur is droll." she replied eva
sively AS though | had changed!
will say this much: l think Sir Rich
ard will care more for Mexico and less
for MeXicans after this! But you do
not tell me wnen you are coming to see
me. to bring back my little shoe. Its
mate has arrived by special messenger
but the pair remains still broken. Do
you come tonight-this afternoon?'
1t would be my delight, Madam, but
there are two reasons"
"One. then"
Il am going to Montreal tonight. f"r
one"
She gave me a swift glance, which
could not understand.
So" she said. Why So soon
Orders" said | briefly. Put per-
haps | may not obey orders for once
There is another reason
And that One?"
Il am to be married at six"
turned to enjoy her CONSERVATION
Indeed. there was an alternate white
and red passed across her face! Bu'
at once she was in hand.
And you allowed me to bccom" y"ui
devoted slave" she said even To th'
extent of calling upon man in a rec
nightcap; and then, even upon a morn
ing like this. when the birds sing 50
Swectly and the littl" flowers show pinf
and white-now you cast down my
most sacred feelings"
The moCkery i'm her tone WAS perfect
| scarce had paused to not" it. | was
absorbed in one thought-"f Elisabeth
Il might have told YOU" said | AT
last. but did not myself know it un'
iii this morning."
My faith this country" she eX.
claimed with genuin" surprise. what
extraordinary things it does. have
just seen history mad" between thu
lightngs of cigarette. aS ii w"r"
Now comes this man and annunc"S tha
since midnight he has met and won Tn,
lady who is To- rule his heart and tina
he is t. marry her at six"
Then congratulat" mo-" demanded
"Ah." she said. suddenly absorbed
it was that tall girl! YES, YES. 81"
see, | understand! S" then. Yes!