Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-05-27
CHAPTER XXXII.
Pakenham's Price.
The happiest women, like nations
have no history.-Georse Eliot.

The apartment into which l hurried
ly stepped l found to be a long and
narrow hall, heavily draped. A door
or so made off on the right-nand side,
and a closed door also appeared at the
farther end but none invited me to
enter, and l did not care to intrude
This situation did not please me, be-
cause l must pcrforce hear all that
went on in the rooms which had just
left. l heard the thick voice of man.
apparently none the better for wine.
MY DEAR" it began, q" Some
gesture must have warned him.
God bless my soul" he began again
MY father is here today" / heard
her clear voice answer, land, as you
suggest, it might perhaps be better"
God bless my soul" he repeated
But. my dear, then l must go! To-
night, then! Where is that other key?
1t would never do, you know"
NO. Sir Richard, it would never do
Go, them" spoke in a low and icy
voice, hers, yet not hers. "Hasten!"
heard her half whisper. Il think per-
haps my father"
But it was my own footsteps they
heard. This was something to which
could not be party. Yet, rapidly as
walked, her visitor was before me.
caught sight only of his portly back,
as the street door closed behind him.
She stood, her back against the door,
her hand spread out against the wall,
as though to keep me from passing.
l paused and looked at her, held by
the horror in her eyes. She made no
concealment offered no apologies, and
showed no shame. repeat that it was
only horror and sadness mingled which
l saw upon her face.
Madam" began. And again,
madam" and then I turned away.
You see" she said, signing.
YES, l fear l see; but I wish did
not. Can not-may 1 not be mistak-
en?"
No, it is true. There is no mis-
take"
What have you done? Why. why?'
Did you not always credit me with
being the good friend of Mr.. Pakenham
years ago-did not all the city? Well,
then 1 was not but l am, now! l was
England's agent only-until last night.
Monsieur, you have come too soon, too
late. too late. All. my God! my God!
Last night gave at last that consent
70 claim IN aYnpt tO
ake-possession-of me All
my God"
II can not, of course, understand
you. madam. What is it? Tell me-"
For three years Englands minister
besought me to be his, not England's
property. 1t was not true, what the
town thought. 1t was not true in the
case either of Yturrio. Intrigue-yes-
1 loved it. l intrigued with England
and Mexico both, because it was in my
nature: but no more than that. Nc
matter what l once was in Europe,
was not here-not. as said, until last
night. All, monsieur! All, monsieur!
Now her hands were beating together
But why then? Why then? What
do you mean?" l demanded.
Because no other way sufficed. AL
this winter, here, alone, have planned
and thought about other means. Moth
ing would do There was but the one
way. Now you see why did not go to
Mr.. Calhoun, why l kept my presence
here. a secret"
But you saw Elisabeth"
Yes, long ago. My friend, you have
won! You both have won, and l nave
lost She loves you, and Is worthy oI
Won. You are worthy of each other
YES. saw l had lost; and 1 told you
would pay my wager l told you
would give you her-and Oregon! Well
then. that last was-hard." She chok
ed. That was-hard to do" She al
most sobbed. But have-paid
Heart and soul =. and body
I have paid! Now he comes
for the price"
But then-but them" l eXpostulat
ed. What does this mean, that l SCI
here? There was no need for thls
Had you no friends among US? Why
though it meant war. l myself tonigh
would choke that beast Pakenham witt
my own hands,"
NO. you will not"
But did l not hear MIN say there
was a key-his key-tonight?'
Yes. England once owned that key
Now. he does. Yes, it is true. Since
Yesterday. Now, he comes
But, madam-ah. how could you 81
disappoint my belief in you?'
"Because"-she smiled bitterly-"ii
all great causes there are sacrifices.
But no cause could warrant this.
"I was Judge of that" was her re
snonse. 81 saw Observation-Disclosures
girl. Then saw what the future year
meant for me. l tell you. l vowed wit
her that night when l thought you wv
were welded. l did more. l VoWe'
myself to a new and wider world ina
night. Now. have lost it. After al
seeing could not now be woman an
be happy. | monsieur-I pass on I
others. after this, not that torture
which we so often spoke. Yes. | eVeI
as I am: because by this-this act
this sacrifce-I can win you for mel
And | can win that wider Americ
which you have coveted; which l GOV
ct for you-whch l covet with you!
I could do no more than remain 81
lent, and allow her to explain what wa
not in the least apparent to me. Afte
a time she went on.
"Now-now. l say-Pakenham IN
minister is sunk in Pakenham the mar
He does as | demand-because ne Is
man. He signs what | demand be
cause l am woman. l say. tonight
but see!"
She hastened now to little desk an
caught up folded document when Ia
there. This she handed to me, un
folded. and l ran it over with hast
glance. 1t was matter of trcmendou
ir,rnrtance which Law in those 1eN