Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-03
CHAPTER XIII.
Rejected.

TennySOnS MAUD.
Breakfast was over. Aunt Pam had
gone to her own chamber. Godfrey
Greylock was writing letters in his IL
brary, and the baronet-she did not
know where the baronet was, until, Of
a sudden, the door opened, and he
walked quietly into the room.
Ethel closed her blue and gold VOL
ume, but too late-his gray eyes had
alighted on the poem.
The good-looking tenor sang the
garden song delightfully."- last night"
said Sir Gervase.
She felt her cheeks burn.
Yes"
Decidedly the fellow has talent.
While walking in the grounds this
morning 1 took the liberty to call at
Rose Cottage, and ask if your mother
had wholly recovered from her indis-
position of last evening"
Ethel looked up and then down.
And what did you learn?"
That Mrs. Greylock was quite well
she had gone out for an early morn
ing drive"
Ethel wrinkled her smooth brows in
surprise.
AN early drive! How very odd!
She is not much given to that sort OF
dissipation, especially in weather like
this" and she glanced toward the win
dow. against which big drops were al
ready splashing.
There was silence for some mo-
ments, broken only by the discordant
cry of a peacock on the terrace out
side. Sir Gervase stood like figure
in bronze, gazing out into the dreary
day.
Ethel leaned back in her chair and
watched him through lorg, dropped
lashes. She was in a morning gown of
creamy white, decked with violet rib
bons. Her yellow waves and curls
were all gathered into a big shining
knot. Outwardly she looked as serene
and white as a day lily; inwardly she
was in a fever of uncertainty and
nervous expectation. After covertly
eyeing the tall figure and brown face
for few moments, she said lightly:
"A penny for your thoughts, cousin"
You underrate the value" he an
swered, turning and flashing upon her
a look which made her eyes fall; they
are all Of you"
The book of poems slipped from her
hold to the floor. simultaneously both
went to pick it up. On the blue and
gold cover their hands met. The bar
onet seized the white fingers and held
them fast.
Ethel, you know what brought me
to American" he cried out sharply.
The long dreaded crisis was upon
her at last! In reckless, undignified
haste, she tore herself from him, and
rushed toward the door. But he
reached it before her, and barred the
way.
AT least 1 am entitled to hearing,
am 1 not?" he said, reproachfully;
and to an answer, Ethel?"
She faced him, gray with dread.
What do you wish to say to me?'
"I love you!" he answered, with
simple dignity.
He had struggled with the charm
of her beauty-he had mistrusted her,
but the fateful words were out at last.
She tried to speak, but no voice came;
she could only shudder.
Il love you!" repeated the baronet'
with a sudden great passion throb-
bing through his voice; my whole
future happiness is in your hands, l
swear that l am thousand times
more eager for the alliance, by which
YOUR grandfather hopes to unite the
two separate branches of the family,
than he or any other person on earth
can be-"
She heard the cry of the peacock on
the terrace with considerable desire
to crush the bird for daring to intrude
his hideous voice on her despair. Sir
Gervase stood waiting for reply.
She made one superhuman effort and
recovered her speech.
THE alliance of which you speak is
impossible" she said.
You mean that you will not marry
me?"
Il will not marry YOU"
Plain words: they left no room for
doubt. He was rejected by this hand
some, wayward American girl.
May 1 ask
ASK me nothing" she interrupted,
wildly, for cannot answer. Be con-
tent to know that you and l can never
-never-never be anything to each
other"
He looked unspeakably panied.
Ethel, you refused DR.. Vandine on
the ground that you loved another.
This. as you know, l heard by acci-
dent Is it for the same reason that
YOU now refuse me?"
Il will not tell you!" she cried de-
family. Say no more. l appreciate
the great honor you wish to do me,
but l must decline it. My reasons
cannot give"
For heavens sake, Ether'-
Hush, If it is the Greylock for
tune" with mirthless little laugh
(which you covet, cousin, take it in
welcome: but me-really you must
leave me out of the matter
He colored wrathfully.
That is an unprOvOked insult, is II
not. Ethel? Do you really believe me
to lie that contemplate thing-a for
tune-hunter? Have l wIn from you
no better opinion after all these days
e intarpnurSpph -
She was dumb.
Let me hope that l may some time
lie able to show you the mistake you
have made" he said. in a proud, ag-
grieved tone. moving a step nearer the
door. yet looking hack with passionate
yearning at the dropped golden head
and detected figure.
Still no reply. He held out his hand
"Good-by. cousin" he said bitterly
She would not see the hand, MOI
+ouch it-had she done so. her self