Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-03
only stood and received them like

| why did you choose this place fol
a meeting?" she faltered, with a shud.
dering glance at the cairn, the old pits
and the low salt-meadows. over which
the twilight lay like a pail. 1T is ar
evil omen. Do you know what hap
pened here-years ago."
YES" answered Regnault, airily: "I
have been at Cats Tavern all day, an6
have heard the whole history of Black.
port from the loss Of the first fishing
boat, down to the story of your faith
er's death. But surely you are not su-
! perstitious, my darling? I choose thi:
place Of meeting because We were moi
| likely to be interrupted here-I un-
derstand the Blackport native shuns
the spot as he would the pestilence
You cannot think that your fathers
spirit would harm you, or any one dear
to you, Ethel? 1t is the living, moi
| the dead, that we have to fear. Why
did you run away from the concert
last night? I had meant to reach you
through the crowd, in spite of your
grandfather. in spite Of the English
bar ronet, but you vanished. and the
sotl went out of my VOICE. sang on
but without inspiration"
The wind swept drearily across the
marshes. Far off the pulsing sea-
stirred by coming tempest, made q
m9urnful sound on the rocks. Rain
pattered down at intervals. The gath
erihg night, the sounds in the air, the
very sky that lowered overhead, seem
ed ominous Of evil
Mamma tainted because of the
heat, and was carried out followed
her." answered Ethel Greylock, in q
faint voice.
She broke from her lover and lean
ed against the cairn. Her feet were
now on the very spot where her faith
er. fell.
ARTHUR, it was strange that you
should come to Blackport in this way
He searched her face with keen, ap-
prehensive eyes.
"Strange?-not at ALL" he answered
with forced carelessness; II had an
opportunity to attach myself to the
Orpheus troupe, and accepted 1t, on
learning that the company was about
to visit Blackport. This morning
purposely quarreled with the mana
ger, and broke my engagement. The
troupe departed from the town hours
ago. I fingered only to secure you!
My love, how white and strange you
look!-how unlike the girl that parted
with me at the school! fear that
titled English snob Is making your life
burden-tormenting you with his
detestable suit-exhausting your pa
tience and forbearance-eh, is it not
so?"
She caught her breath.
"Sir Gervase left the villa this morn
ing" she answered.
"By heaven! that means you have
given him his congo, Ethel"
YES. Oh, hark Arthur, I hear a
footstep!"
tonight-your hands are like Ice,
eagerly seizing them and pressing to
his lips her ringed, white fingers
"Ah, Ethel, find you ten times love-
lier than you you were at school, and
my passion for you has increased a
hundredfold with separation. Now tel
me, how Is it with your love for me?'
A night bird out on the dim marsh
es uttered a plaintive cry. In the fall
ing light, the rude cairn seemed tc
frown upon the pair. Some old weeds
and bushes growing about the old salt
pits rustled weirdly in the wind. Eth
ell Greylock made no reply-only
shrank from her lovers gloating eyes
and was dumb.
why do you not answer" said
Regnault his voice growing soft and
persuasive THE despotism Of Love
is that one must leave all and follow
him. Are you ready to go with me
Ethel?-ready to reward my devoted
love, at last? You see the clump OF
trees betwixt this spot and the high
way? A carriage Is waiting there
We must reach Blackport station ir
time for the evening express"
Still no reply. Was this maidenly
Internationally perversity? Sht
stood on the ground that had been hel
fathers death-place, and looked al
| I, hn nj
cloaked to the heels-at the handsome
| face under the wide hat. Behind hel
was home, kindred, and the affection
which had nourished and protected
her for long years. Before hei
stretched the great strange world, tc
be conquered with him. Her silence
alarmed Regnault. He put his arms
boldly around her.
Come, my own, come! You swore
| to be mine when l should call you
call you now! This very hour yor
must marry me. Do not ask me tc
wait longer. Delays, as we both know
are dangerous. In a day or two we
will return here, and sue for your
grandfathers blessing. When ne
finds that we are married he will yield
to the irrevocable and forgive u.s."
| She freed herself quietly and firmly
from his embrace.
Il cannot go with you, Arthur" she
said.
1t was like the bursting of bomb
IJa foirly cta ppered
you cannot go with me?-and
why?"
Because" with an eloquent thrust
ing out of hands, everything Is
changed between us since our parting
at the SCHOOL,"
He could not mistake the tone. the
gesture. 1t was now his turn to be
dumb.
ITO keep my OATH" she went on
steadily, would be a greater sin thar
to break it. 1t was rash and foolish
it was forced from me unfairly.
seem to have lived ages since thai
morning-I am not the same person
YOU trusted then. We must part here
| Arthur: part for ever, for l no Longer
love you. came to this place tonigh,