Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-02-10


marry you yet, Jack"
But why not?" persisted Captain
Aymere. rs it the same old story? is
it that you won't believe-or can't ne
lieve-that Guy is dead?"
She gave a little shudder.
Yes, that is why" she answered.
But three years have passed since
he was killed." said Aymere. Three
wears, His own men brought to Tan
gier the news of his death"
Aymere took her hands in his. She
was very beautiful, this first love OF
his-more beautiful even than when
she married Rolfe, who was once MS
friend-Rolfe who had treated her bru-
tally. who had neglected her, who hao
eone off at last to Morocco on one OF
his expeditions and had never returned
It was quite true that Aymere nad
always adored Marjorie. When she
married Rolfe he suffered cruelty, put
he had striven to keep the mans
friendship. and from afar, as 1t were
he worshipped the woman VINO hao
sacrificed herself to so unworthy
husband. But time, the healer, hao
wrought changes Of great import 10
lack Aymere. Rolfe was dead, with
out a doubt, and Marjorie was 10 DC
won. He knew that she loved him.
for two years after Rolfe's death ne
never saw her, but then he came ana
asked her to be his wife. She reiuseo'
as she was refusing now; the old dreao
was always in her heart.
But Aymere was persistent lover
and the knowledge that Marjorie re-
turned his love made him sure that III
the end he would win her-and at last
she did consent. The day was tixed;
and presents and congratulations flow
ed in.
Then came the bombshell, for Rolte'
after all, had not been killed. He was
a captive in the hands Of the Moors'
The same American consul who hao
sant the news of his death to Marjorie
three years ago now sent this fresh'
this stunning intelligence.
When Marjorie received the news
she sent for Captain Aymere.
Avmere guessed in an instant what
had happened. One glance at Mar1o-
rie's face and he knew the truth.
$50 you were right" he said quietly.
He is alive!"
She handed him letter, and waited
in silence until he had read it through
to the end.
A few days later the couple, accom-
panied by Marjorie's brother Reggie
were on their way to Tangier.
After an uneventful voyage, they ar
rived in northern Africa, wheree the
American consul had secured guide
and one week later a we'll equipped
caravan started southwark over the
desert.
The caravan crawled slowly. Abu
Yussef, the guide, was a man OF tew
words. but he had told Aymere that
Rolfe had sent him to Tangier, prom
ising him a rich reward If he succeed
ed in getting help.
The caravan moved more quickly as
the higher lands were reached, where
the cool breezes blew from the noun
tains.
At last the mountains were crossed
and in a valley beyond lay little white
town, to the left of which, looking very
tall and slender at so great a distance
was a tower.
Abu Yussef touched Aymere's sleeve
He is there!" he said.
Aymere nodded.
"I will go to him tonight-alone,' ne
whispered. do not tell the others. We
will camp here"
He stole away about midnight, when
all except Abu Yussef and Marjorie
were slumbering.
The night was wonderfully bright
and clear. The moonlight silvered the
desert. the stars blazed in their glory
and a pure cold wind was blowing
Once or twice some dark creature
leaped or skunk away from Aymeres
path; now and again the hideous yells
Of the hyenas rang and echoed. But
silence was reigning when he came tc
a halt beneath barred window of the
tower.
For a little while he stood there
with bowed head, as though in deep re-
Election; then he glanced up, and gave
a low whistle. Years and years ago
when he and Rolfe had been friends
Rolfe had known that whistle well.
At first there came no answer. Ay'
mere whistled again, still very softly
then waited. Presently he heard rus
Ting, a sound as of chain clanking.
And in another moment Aymere be-
held a dreadful face-a face dark as
Moor's, bearded and disfigured. The
man wore a turban, and for an instant
Aymere believed there had been mis-
take. This could not be Rolfe, this
wretch, whose fingers, like talons
clutched the bars, and whose eyes
glanced like the eyes of a wild beast
But 1t was.
rs that Abu Yussef?" croaked Rolfe
"Rolfe!" answered Aymere. Il whis-
tied. l have come here to try to res
cue you. Abu Yussef is at the camp at
the foot of the mountains"
"Aymere! You? Why have you
come? To gloat over a poor wretch
who has suffered torments, who has
been doomed to live and die in this vile
prison? Why have you come? Not
out of pity, l know that we'll enough
/ remember-I remember struck you
once and forbade you my house. You
were making love to my wife, you fool!
And now you come here to taunt me
to say you thought was dead, to tell
me that you have married her."
"Rolfel" he said. You must let me
speak l know what you must have
suffered. shall forget what you have
Just said to me. | came here to help
you to get free. Your wife is at the
camp with her brother. 1t is true that
we thought you were dead. 1t is true
that I meant to marry Marjorie. But