Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-12-17
Bv ETA w. PIERCE.


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think her so beautiful-so uncom-
! monty beautiful you know?"
She asked the question anxiously'
for she had a decided weakness for
Larry Harding-this handsome, brown
fellow. whose fortune had been swept
away from him in a single day, and
who was struggling helplessly in
Ethers tolls.
Larry poured Miss Bradford a little
glass of Rhine wine.
81 think her the fairest woman liv-
ing!" he answered, frankly. Il doubt
II there is another like her in all the
world"
Miss Bradford looked greatly piqued.
IF she is handsome, she Is also
heartless," she rejoined, tossing her
blonde head. Wealth and style are
the gods these New York people wor-
ship. If Boston is all culture, New
York is all money. l never knew
more cold-blooded creature in my life
than Mrs. Sardis. She would sell her
own flesh for what she calls prestige
in society. 1 suppose Sardis pere Is
very, very rich?"
Enormously so. He has banking
house in New York and another IN
Boston. and no end Of other interests
all over the county. Without doubt
our friend the count has already made
himself acquainted with these facts
1t was a purgatorial dinner, but, like
all earthly things, it came to an end
at last The guests arose, and Ethel
Sardis turned to pass out of the din
ing-room just in advance Of Harding.
Would she not deign him a word,
look-give him the opportunity Of say
ing good-by, at least? No. She had
received her instructions, and she
meant to obey them. But as she reach
ed the door the half-open blush rose
at her throat fell suddenly to the floor
Harding picked it up.
Ethel, pray let me speak to you
one moment-only one!" he whispered
| passionately.
With an annihiliating glance, Mrs
Sardis stepped before him.
Come with me to my balcony
Ethel" she said, quickly, "the count
| wishes to show us some views of his
| cattle in Saxony."
With a pale face, Harding drew back
and watched the trio vanish in the
crowd; then he fastened the blush
rose in his buttonhole, and, taking
Fred Bradford's arm, went out to
smoke a cigar upon the quay.
He had walked it's length for half
hour, perhaps, back and forth under
the chestnut trees, talking quietly with
his friend, when Count Stahl appear
ed, sauntering toward the two men,
fiourishing in his gloved hand a light
| walking-st AS he passed Harding
his sleepy eyes fell suddenly on the
rose in the latter's buttonhole. A white
| heat flashed across his face. He start
ed back instantly and confronted the
| American.
That flower belongs to Miss Sar-
dis" said he; have the goodness to
| give it to me-"
| Larry Harding took his cigar from
between his lips and measured his
rival with cool surprise.
| Your demand, my dear count" he
answered, "is not only grossly uncivil,
but it is abominably impudent."
Thief! you have stolen the rose!
You will give it to me, or I shall chas-
tise you as you deserved" fumed the
count.
softly" said Larry, an unpleasant
gleam leaping into his gray eyes; you
are little careless, are you not, in
your choice of words? I regret to say
it. I'm sure, but it is scarcely possible
for me to oblige YOU"
Hound! You will not give me the
rose?"
Il would see you hanged first!"
The count snatched violently at the
unlucky flower With one hand Hard
ing warded him away. Drawing furi-
ously back. he then struck at the
American with his walking stick. Like
lightning Harding wrenched away the
weapon and with one blow laid It's
owner prone and senseless on the dusty
quay. Then breaking the stick in
pieces, he placed the fragments on the
counts PROSTATE body, and, as crowd
began to rush from the hotels to view
the fracas. he took Fred Bradford's
arm and walked coolly off under the
chestnut trees.
Come along Lawrence" groaneG
Bradford, "and make your will, ole
man. The count is a dead shot, anG
he'll challenge you within the hour"