Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-04-04
h G
Social Bucane@er
Ry Frederic 8. Isham
Copyright s1o by the 5obbs-Msrrih Company
Ry Frederic 6. Isham
Copyright 1s1o by the sobbs-Msrr Company.


Afar, the wood appeared to fade away;
only the trees, near at hand, were
very insistent, very black, and yet un-
real, too, as if with their up-curving
branches they had been metamorphos-
ed into many -storied pagodas, stand
ing in some far-eastern garden, full
of odors and strange fragrances. Out
of the night she heard her name
whispered-or was it but fancy?
Near by, distinct sound, the sharp
cracking of a branch, broke startlingly
the stiffness. Again-as II a football
in the wooded park, close to them, had
encountered a dead limb on the
ground. She looked that way; her
hand brushed her brow. Stepping to-
ward them from beneath one of the
pagoda- like trees, she saw a dark
form, that stopped, seemed to hesitate
at sight of them, then came forward
and turned, acting as IL he had not
observed them, and stole with quick,
now noiseless tread toward the bright
" lighted house. The reflection Of
pale rays played on him; the curious
profile with high cheek bones; the
glittering eyes. Then he was gone.
"Why"-she gave an odd little laugh
that was a Chinaman."
"One of the servants" Bruce sud-
denly Strengthened, throwing back his
head, as if at the same time to throw
something from him. Mr.. Goldberg
has several of them"
How strange The words died
away.
ION the contrary, they make excel
lent servants"
Il mean his appearing like that, from
the
MY dear Miss Marjorie!" The
voice was Sir Archibald. He had ap-
preached from the direction opposite
to which they were looking. Il have
been searching for you everywhere; to
claim my dance, don't you know"
The words were commonplace, but his
glance, passing from one to the other,
seemed to darken.
Bruce laughed lightly; his eyes now
had the cold gleam of simitar in the
moonlight.
THE dance is half over" Sir Archi-
bald went on.
Marjorie Wood turned. Il am sor-
ry." In her voice was an accent of
constraint.
The fault is mine," murmured
Bruce.
Sir Archibald did not answer, but
held out his arm stiffiy. With quick
backward glance the girl moved to-
ward him and Bruce watched them
walk away.
When a short time later, he again
started toward the house, the lawn was
nearly deserted; most of the guests
had crowded to the platform. Toward
the west a bank of black clouds had
blotted out the stars; a faint reverber-
alton, afar, made itself heard. In the
direction from whence it came, above
the tree-tops, the red moon, like a
sickle, swung menacinsly. Bruce re-
garded it. Not far from the lunar ef-
feet, grim shadows were reaching out;
creeping farther across the sky.
From them, his glance turned slowly
to the well-filled platform. Through
rapidly moving figures the young man
saw, for an instant, Miss Wood; above
the broad, rather heavy shoulders Of
her partner, he caught a fieeting i'm
preston of her face. Did she dance
as lightly as she had danced a short
time ago? The fiutter of her white
gown held his look, then, like the
creamy tip of a wave that ere the eye
has hardly seen it is lost in effer-
vescence, it vanished in the vortex.
He looked down; his long fingers
pressed close his palm; the shadows
lay on his face.
"A penny for your thoughts" The
voice was Miss Burke's. She had
stepped to his side from the buffet,
where a number of couples yet linger-
ed. But, perhaps, you are wondering
with the Others" not awaiting his an
swer, what Sir Archibalds mission to
this country may be?'
Sir Archbald's mission He look
ed at her quickly, with, she might al
most have fancied, swift inquiry.
"A tender one, if rumor can he re-
lied on" Her laugh sounded the
least bit artificial. He met Miss Wood
first in Europe" she continued.
He did not answer Did she find his
silence disappointing--as if something
she had reached for had proved illu-
sorry?
1T may he, though, that you know
| more of Sir ArchibaIds mission than
| the rest of u.s."
~" crisply.
"As friend of Mr. Wood"
| Acquaintance" he corrected.
| oh" Her glance swung toward
the platform: again he suffered the si-
| lencc to grow. Her foot tapped the
earth and her brows drew together.
DO you see that person over there?'
she said suddenly.
| What person." Her backward
glance had been swift significant.
| THE French-looking one, with the
| imperial, standing near the platform
He is watching Miss Goldberg-or the
pearls. That" she added sharply, as
noting the effect of her words on him.
lis Mr.. Bolger."
"BOlger?"
You have never heard of him."
is he" perfunctorily, IA detective?'
Miss Burke's laugh rang out: it was
rather a peculiar laugh, caressing OF
cruel one could hardly tell which. BY
the way, did | ever speak to YOU about
that drawing left in my uncle's box
when the bonds were taken?"
| Did YOU" he murmurcd politely
Il hardly remember"
You are not interested?"
"On the contrary" patiently.
| Perhaps" she observed, more quick
| ly, he who left the drawing in Mr.