Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-09-29

prepare dishes that were fit to drive 6
French cook wild with envy. AS Mrs
Iris, with her servant and child, enter.
ed the place, she was met by a man
very red about the nose, and watery
as to eyes. who advanced along tn,
passage leaning on a stick, and wheez.
ing uncomfortably-old Ike Poole.
Are you the landlord Of thil
house?" asked Mrs. Iris.
He stopped to consider the question
looked at her thoughtfully, and shool
his rum -befogged head.
! Lord, no! Mercy Is landlord. In
played out, ma'am," he answered
shes got 1t all her own way now
all but the toddy. I'll be blowed If
give that up! Mercy is a good gal
but she's crammed full Of idees. Blast
these women with idees! Want to SEE
her, ma'am?"
YES"
Ike Poole set up a mighty tattoo or
the bare floor with his stick. In an
swer to this summons door at the
end Of the passage opened, and Mercy
Poole burst upon the group in all hel
gypsy beauty-head held high, black
braids shining like nest Of serpents
sleeves rolled up over splendid bronze
arms.
| Whats wanted?" she demanded.
Mrs. Iris briefly explained that she
was seeking entertainment for h self
child and servant until the morrow.
"We have been sent to this place by
Godfrey Greylock of Greylock Woods
she said. Have the goodness to show
us to suitable rooms"
Ike Poole Strengthened himself on his
stick, as If preparing to wrestle with
an idea Unlimited indulgence in tod
dy had made the innkeeper very weak
In his knees and shaky in his wits.
"Greylock, of the Woods?" he NUT
tered; yes, he's back from his furrin
travels. Maybe you're a relation OF
the family?"
II am the widow of Robert Grey
lock-" answered Mrs. Iris.
The wrestling business quite took
Ike's breath for a moment.
young Bob that shot himself in the
salt-pits, beyond the mash, six year
ago? Bless my soul! And that little
gal beside you Is his darter, take it?'
This little girl is Robert Greylock's
daughter" replied Mrs. Iris, with dig
nifty.
Ike surveyed his guests with ad-
miration in his watery eyes.
Whatever made the old gent send
you here, instead of keeping you at the
Woods? He's billing mad still, eh?
Hi, Mercy, you jade! give poor Rob's
widow the best in the house-the best
room, the best victuals-everythine
that's best" he roared, in an excess
of hospitality, except the toddy, gall
Mercy Poole darted one scorching
glance over the pretty lame woman
in widows weeds-over the child al
her knee-over Hannah Johnson, also.
Follow me-" she said, sharply, and
led the way up a painted stairs to a
front chamber, faultlessly clean and
sweet. and furnished with an antique
fourposter, a chest Of BRASS bound
drawers, a spindle-legged table and
rush bottomed chairs. From this room
a smaller one opened. The salt breath
of the sea and the June sunshine came
In together at the open windows. The
murmur of small waves could be heard
on the neighbnring beach.
Send up dinner at onoe," ordered
Mrs, Iris, as she sank into chair. u
am famished and exhausted. Give me
the best in the house, as that dreadful
old man below suggested. Anything
in the way of delicacies, and a glass
of good wine, will be acceptable"
Mercy Poole stood on the threshold
Of the chamber, her dark head almost
reaching to the top Of the door. She
nodded and turned sharply round, then
turned back, as If in obedience to some
Irresistible impulse, and swooping
down upon little Fairy, she kissed the
child wildly and passionately.
Robert Greylock's daughter! For a
moment her heart seemed bursting
She shook from head to foot. The mist
of yellow hair about the flower-face
and the violet eyes brought up before
her, with terrible power, the image OF
her blond lover.
II have long wanted to see his
child" said Mercy Poole, hoarsely; u
have long wanted to see the woman he
married. 1 am glad you came here to-
day."
"Ah," answered Mrs. Iris, quietly
you knew my husband, then?"
She pushed the child from her, and
gave the mother a jealous, raging
glance.
"Yes-long ago, before he ever saw
your face. He was my lover before he
was yours"
Indeed! never heard him speak
of you. Hannah, take this dreadful
bonnet and veil-crape always makes
me shudder, and, Fairy, do not lean on
mammals lame knee-you hurt me-
child"
Mercy Poole grasped the door with
one powerful brown hand. A burning
devil leaped into her black eyes.
He was mine before you stole him
from me! No, I'll be bound Robert
Greylock never talked to you Of his old
fame-you wouldn't have found me an
agreeable subject. He came to this inn
on the night of his murder-he ate his
supper in the room below-and we had
few last words together-no tender
ones, can tell you! Do you remem-
Der that night, Mrs. Greylock?"
Iris gave start and a cry together.
1.-The night of the suicide, you mean
my husband killed himself"
Did he?" scoffed Mercy Poole. Il
told Godfrey Greylock what l thought
about that matter six years ago. Your
husband was murdered-yes, it's an