Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-04-07

case, all he had brought with him; HI
would not need it until he rose, which
might not be until long after tho
barnyard fowls.
Mr.. Wood listened courteously tC
these remarks and then bade his mar
consider them his instructions. After
which the old gentleman, with a fe.
licitous phrase, waved Chatfield Bruce
toward the open door of his home.
The young man, however, fingered
yet a moment. While speaking about
the baggage, he had glanced about
him as if to convey to his mind an i'm
preston of the outer aspect of the
house, spacious and rambling, and the
grounds surrounding it. He even held
back a moment longer to refer now to
the giant trees that lined the roadway
through which they had come. Yes
the place was not one of those newer
estates being created on every hand
Mr.. Wood who loved the old house
and gardens for their associations an
swered warmly.
Sir Archibald remained at the side
of Marjorie Wood as the two men as
cended the steps; his eyes, Slightly
questioning, rested an instant or
Chatfield Bruce, but the latter did not
seem to notice. They entered now 8
home whose interior did not belle its
outward appearance. Rosewood, OF
the early American school, adorned
the two front lower apartments
Chandeliers, with egg-like crystals
threw a soft luster on several por-
traits, one or two of which, in the
flowing attire of a past period, sug-
gested a strong family resemblance to
Marjorie Wood.
Pass on, up the broad staircase lead
ing to the second story, Mr.. Wood
showed his guest into a great chamber
in the wing. 1t was rather remote
he remarked, throwing open the glass
doors leading to a veranda; but its
quietude commended it for guest, a
little done up" laying momentarily
his hand on Bruce's shoulder. He
would send at once his man Simpson,
with dressing gown and other little
necessities. If, during the night, his
guest needed anything, he had but to
ring. To which Mr.. Bruce answered
he did not anticipate the necessity OF
disturbing the household, and Mr.
Wood with a few last friendly words
took his departure.
The young man seated himself;
waited. on the mantel a clock ticked
loudly. After 12!"-after 12!" The
pendulum seemed to beat the words;
his eyes lowered to the rug on the
floor Simpson was slow-an English
servant, no doubt. An irregularity in
the hand-woven stuff at his feet held
his glance. Why had the oriental
workman turned this one detail up
side down? To dinerentiate from g
factory fabric? Or through mere
childish whimsicality.
After l2"-"after l2"-a loud per-
sistent little clock, it had very pro-
nounced way of telling off the seconds
How rapidly they were passing! Bruce
stirred; some one raped, entered
Simpson,
He was we'll laden, with this anC
that dangling on one arm, and a vase
of roses held to him. He laid over
the back of a chair the articles that
dangled; Mr. Woods compliments!
Placed on a table, the flowers; Miss
Woods compliments" That is, the
servant hastened to add, presumably
voicing his young mistress words, il
the gentleman didn't mind them in his
room: some people were averse tC
sleeping with them.
Mr.. Bruce entertained no prejudice
of the kind. No; there was nothing
else he required; Simpson could go
Only, a last Injunction; let no one raj
on the door i'm the morning; if he
Bruce, could sleep late, he wished to
Simpson went. The young man step
ped to the table, bent over the flower!
and breathed deeply; then suddenly
Strengthened. The recedng footsteps
had died away; he was alone.
But was he? On the veranda he fan
cied he heard a slight noise and wen
swiftly to the long glass doors open
ing upon it, Drawing aside the cur
tains which closed behind him, h
stepped out.
Only the shadows met his gaze
against the rail, a branch, swayed b!
the wind, grated. 1t was that sount
he had heard his eyes. sweeping alonl
the veranda, striving to penetrate TIT
surrounding darkness, could detect M
human form. The rain had enhanced
the fragrance from the garden below
the sweet Odnr of her flowers seemed
augmented an hundredfOld: To asSai
him with sense -drugging perfumes
He could almost forget the burning
sensation of pain. The insect tones
that pierced the air were as shrill g
those in the spirit-haunted forests o
the Shoguns. His glance swept to
ward the trees confronting him now
he looked down toward the ground.
His next move. sudden, unexpected
that of one who had made up his min'
to some hazardous course, would hav
greatly surprised Mr.. Wood, or hi
daughter, could they have seen it
two other members of the household
perhaps. would not have been s.
amazed.
When Chatfield Bruce was shown b,
Mr.. Wood To his room, Caglioni an'
Sir Archibald. after wishing Miss Woo'
good night, passed into those apart
mcnts reserved for their aCcOmmoda
tiun at the other end of the hall. Th
Englshman, with significant look a
his secretary. left the door of his sit
ting-room partly aiar; then motiOne
CagliOni To sit at table. command
ing a view of the door of the diStan
apartment into which Bruce had bee
ushered for the night. Bamfnrd him
self sank into Il chair, with his back L
his own threshold and the hall. lighte
Il cigar and bent over Chinese check