Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-04-15

II Elisabeth and I?'
plexity doubt or horror but went on.
Yes, Elisabeth and /"
You dear children" gurgled Aunt
Betty.
congratulate us both" demanded,
and | put Elisabeth's hand, covered
with my own, into the short and chub-
by fingers of that estimable lady. When
ever Elisabeth attempted to open her
lips l opened mine before, and l so
overwhelmed dear Aunt Betty Jennings
with protestations of my regard for
her. my interest in her family, her 9TH
er nieces, her chickens, her kittens, her
home-I so quieted all her questions by
assertions and demands and eXcla-
nations, and declarations that Mr..
Daniel Churchill had given his consent,
that l swear for the moment even Eli
sabeth believed that what l had said
was indeed true. At least | can tes-
tify she made no formal denial, although
the dimble was now frightened out of
sight.
Admirable Aunt Betty Jennings! She
forestaled every assertion | MADE,
herself bubbling and blushing in sheer
delight. Nor did she lack in charity.
Tapping me with her fan lightly, she
exclaimed You rogue. l know that
you two want to be alone; that is what
you want Now am going away-just
down the room. You will ride home
with us after time, am sure?'
Adorable Aunt Betty Jennings! Ellis
abeth and l looked at her comfortable
back for some moments before | turn
ed, laughing, to look Elisabeth in the
eyes.
You had no right" began she, her
face growing pink.
Every right" said l, and managed
to find a place for our two hands un-
der cover of the wide fiounccs of ner
figured lawn as we stood, both blush
ing. II have every right l have truly
just seen your father. have just come
from him."
She looked at me ntently. glowing,
happily.
II could not wait any longer" !
went on within a week l am going
to have an office of my own. Let us
wait no longer. have waited long
enough. Now"
babbled on, and she listened 1t
was strange place enough for be-
trothal, but there at least | said the
words which bound me: and in the look
Elisabeth gave me l saw her answer.
Her eyes were wide and straight and
solemn. She did not smile.
| AS we stood. with small opportunity
and perhaps less inclination for much
conversation, my eyes chanced to turn
| toward the main entrance door of the
East Room. l saw, pushing through,
a certain page, a young boy of good
| family, who was employed by Mr. Cal
| houn as messenger. He knew me per-
| fectly well, as he did almost every one
| else in Washington, and with preco-
cious intelligence his gaze picked me
| out in all that throng.
rs that for me-" l asked, as he cx-
tended his missivc.
| Yes" he nodded. MI. Calhoun told
me to find you and to give You this at
| once"
| | turned to Elisabeth. IF you will
| pardon me-" | said She made way
| for ME to pass to a curtained window,
and there, turning my back and using
such secrecy as I could. | broke the
seal.
| The message was brief. TO be equal
| ly brief may say simply that it asked
me to be ready to start for Canada
| that night on business connected with
the Department of State! OF reasons
or explanations it gave none.
| | turned to Elisabeth and held out
the message from my chief. She look
ed at it. Her eyes widened. Mich
olas!" she exclaimed.
Elisabeth" said l. turning to her
swiftly, Il will agree to nothing which
will send me away from you again.
Listen, then" l raised a hand as she
/.
you Aunt Betty as soon as you can.
Tell your father that tonight at six
shall be there. Be ready"
What do you mean" she painted. l
saw her throat flutter.
Il mean that we must be married to-
night before l go. Before eight o'clock
| must be on the train"
When will you be back?" she whis-
pered.
How can | tell? When | go, my
wife shall wait there at ElmhurSt, in
stead of my sweetheart.
| She turned away from me, contcm-
plative. She, too, was young. Ard"r
appealed to her Life stood before her,
beckoning, as to me. What could the
girl do or say?
| / placed her hand on my arm. we
started toward the door, intending to
pick up Aunt Jennings on our way. AS
we advanced, Il group before US broke
apart l stood aside to make way for
| a gentleman whom / did not recognize.
On his arm there leaned Il woman, a
beautiful woman. clad in costume OF
flounced and ripping velvet of Il royal
blue which made her the most striking
figure in the great room. Hers was Il
personality not easily to be overlooked
in any company, her face one not read
lily to be cquallrd. | was the Baroness
Helena Won Ritz!
We met face to face. l presume 1t
would have been too mucn to ask even
of her to suppress the sudden flash of
recognition which she showed. At first
she did not see that WAS accompanied.
She bent to me, as though to adjust
her gown, and, without a change in
the expression of her face, spoke to
me in an undertone no one els" could
hear.
T Wait" she murmur"d. There is tu
be meeting" She had time for II"
more as she swept by.