Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-04-21
n g
Social Bucaneer
Ry Frederic s. Isham
copyraht 1910, by Bobbs-Merrin Company
copyrish. 1s1o by the sobbs-MsrrII Company.

sleep, to endure the confinement of his
room; had felt impelled, driven to go
forth, through physical pangs, any
where. out into the night, anywhere,
to be moving!
"Ah!" she breathed impulsively. Her
eyes were like stars: the lace at her
throat stirred quickly. He came in.
"Why-why did you not call some
one?" she faltered.
Call some one?" he repeated, as If
not understanding. His gaze burned;
her lashes half-lowered
The bandages-they are disarrang-
ed. Shall I not call some one now?"
What? Wake the household? 1t is
unnecessary; quite!" He spoke light
ly. though very low. with forced
jauntiness in his accents.
But even as he replied, his figure
swayed slightly; she noted the quick
growing pallor of his face. He leaned
hard, with his hand on the table,
sought yet to stand erect, then seemed
to sink, through no volition of his own,
to large chair. A faint cry was still
ed on her lips; she looked at him, then
glanced quickly around her, when, as
if divining some intention on her part,
he again moved and made a gesture
with his hand.
Call no one" he repeated. 1T is
nothing. I'm bit done up; that is all.
Quite myself now," he added with an
effort.
"But-you are not" she said.
"Hark," He seemed listening. Il
hope vel haven't awakened any
one"
1T wouldn't matter" quickly. Let
me"
She bent over. Before he had time
to expostulate, had he thought of so
doing, she began to rearrange the
bandages of his hand. He felt too alb
surdly weak at the moment to resist.
AS through a haze, he saw the beauti-
full, down. bent head: her fingers, light,
sedulous.
1T is really all right now," he mur-
INJURED, an accent of self-scoffing in his
low voice at this enervation, the un-
heroic part it forced upon him.
Wait" She would not be put
aside: she had not quite finished. Her
fingers trembled slightly: her lips were
not set with their usual composure. 1t
may be she was vividly cognizant at
the instant how the burns had been
acquired; in whose service he had re-
ceived injuries, so painful
You are too good" he breathed.
10" She half-knelt on the cushion,
absorbed, forgetful of all save what
she was doing. He said no more,
though the smile, slightly derisory at
his own momentary helplessness, still
fingered on his lips. From the lawn
matutinal perfumes were waited
through the opened glass doors. He
breathed deeply like one in a lotus
dream. She was so near,-But only
for the moment: as a vision, evanes-
cent, that would soon vanish from him
for ever, leaving nothing but a haunt
ing memory.
Through half closed lids he watched
the dim light playing on the dark hair
that rippled over her shoulders; be-
meath the loose folds of the heavy,
shimmering gown, he imagined she
breathed once or twice quickly, di-
vine movement more eloquent than
words.
The stiffness continued for few
seconds, then was suddenly broken by
the unmistakable sound of something
above, a door opening softly. His
Strengthened. The girl, too, heard and
rose. The task she had set herself,
however was done; she looked hur-
riedly toward the stairs, then back at
at him. But he seemed not to see her
now; his fingers rested on something
in an inside pocket at his breast,
something hard, slightly projecting.
The girl did not notice his gesture.
over her face a flush had slowly
spread; her eyes, which had swept first
upward and then swiftly aside at
Bruce, suddenly lowered.
The glass door of one of the library
sections limned a pale reflection of
herself: the long, flowing gown; the
flash of a white bare arm; the untram-
meled hair, and an abrupt realization
of much that was unconventional in
her appearance came over her. Her
next words were constrained; he, how
ever, seemed hardly To hear, replied
vaguely he would stay there in the
library little while longer.
She was glad his eyes were turned
from her as he spoke. He, too. had
risen, was standing now, deferentially
waiting. his features slightly down
bent. A word or two further, and she
moved across the threshold and up Il
stairway, with cheeks still brightly
tinted, but head proudly erect. gained
her own door and went in. Bruce
heard it close gently.
A few moments he continued to staEd
motionless, as if listening: then moved
to a table upon which rested a decan-
ter. near a box of cigars. Pouring out
a glass of wine he drank it quickly
Through the partly opened door lead
ing OFT on to the lower balcony, the
earliest tint of dawn could be seen on
the eastern horizon. A birds note
afar in the forest, smOte the sky. He
looked out: the lawn was deserted
No one had followed him; none oi
those he had met below had seen him
enter here.
For the instant, that last impression
of the unknown he had encountered sc
strangely in the Page house required
to Bruce; the din OccasiOned by this
persons mad, desperate dash. Had the
fellow escaped. with his booty? If he
had been taken? \ certain new con-
tingency in that event insinuated it
self in BruCe'S brain 1t brought an
odd look to his face. The morn
what tidings would it bring? Already
Aurora's light palm had rubbed the