Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-12-13

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| to them Under Miss Sardis's restric-
ton the conversation began to flag
Neither of the two seemed interested
in any Of the topics that she had pro-
posed. But If speech is silver, silence
saith the proverb, is golden; and out
spoken sentiment could scarcely have
been more eloquent than the dumb
language of Lawrence Hardings gray
eyes. Ethel was very careful not to
meet their look. She kept her atten-
ton fixed upon the scenery, though
think she heard little of
"The water tapping on the crag.
And the long ripple washing in the
| reeds
| saw little of Pilatus rolling off his mis-
ty nightcap, the blue lake, the gashed
cliffs, the distant pine-tops, the splen-
dor and glory of the morning. Perfect
silence reigned around them-perfect
beauty. They were alone together
the bankers beautiful heiress, and the
man, impoverished, overwhelmed by
misfortune. who was wasting precious
| hours at Lucerne-when he ought to
have been elsewhere-hovering about
the enchantress, like moth about
flame, powerless in the spell which she
had cast upon him. Ethels hand had
fallen listlessly back into the water. A
little breeze stirred the rings of chest
nut-black hair that curled lovingly
about her low forehead. How royalty
beautiful she was-verily there was no
fault In her. A faint perfume from her
garments was waited to Harding s
nostrils. The place, the time, the
proximity, and, more than all, con-
sciousness that the present opportuni-
ty might never be repeated rendered
him desperate.
Ethel" he began, when I asked
you last night to row with me on the
lake, did 1 promise not to make love to
you?"
Yes" she answered. promptly. you
did"
II am going to break my word. Good
heaven. how can you in reason expect
me to keep it?"-
She started up in the boat.
Stop. Lawrence! forbid you to
speak one word. 1 will not listen to
you I will not stay here a moment
longer. Take me back to the pier at
once. I will never trust you again
never!"
Her anger-her imperious manner,
acted upon him, as she meant 1t should
like a douche. The blood ebbed out Of
his face.
"Sit down" he said, in a constrained
voice. You will upset the boat. I beg
to be pardoned. ! ought to have re-
membered that the last twenty -four
hours has fixed a great gulf betwixt US
that a poor devil like me can no
longer be considered your equal-has
no longer any rights-that under the
new order of things it is presumption,
indeed, for me to address you, save as
a stranger. Be at ease, Miss Sardis-
we will return Immediately. Heaven
moment against your will"
Whatever Miss Sardis may have
thought of the pain and passion and
reproach of this speech, she answered
not a word. To be sure, the beautiful
face under the gray plumes OF the
Gainesborough hat looked positively
color,ess, but then, Ethel was always
pale. Away flew the boat over the blue
water to the shore. Not another syl-
liable was spoken by either Of its occu-
pants. With long, steady, practiced
strokes, Lawrence pulled for the quay,
AS he reached it he saw man walk
ing back and forth under the chestnut
trees, watching the little craft and
putting at an early cigar. Miss Sardis
saw him, too. She avoided Harding's
eyes and sprang ashore with an air or
proud indifference. The person with
the cigar threw down his weed and
advanced eagerly to meet her-a tall
man, elegant in dress, distingue In
manner, fair, with sleepy blue eyes that
could be sharp enough when occasion
required, a waxed mustache, heavy
under-jaw, and blond hair worn some
what thin on the crown and temples
| Otto, Count Stahl.
Miss Sardis is abroad early" he
said, in excellent English, and showing
a glitter of white teeth under his
flaxen mustache.
And Count Stahl, also," smiled
Miss Sardis.
"Ah, could not sleep. I came out
here to walk the quay alone and
think of you. How happy Is this
| American, Mr. Harding. A solitary
row on the lake at this hour is mark
of favor which not every worshipper at
your shrine can hope to obtain"
She was a girl of spirit, and she
stared at the speaker in cold surprise.
Mr. Harding is an old friend Of
mine-I have known him for years. 1t
is plain that you have little acquain-
tance with our social life in America,
or you would not lay so much stress
on such trivial matter"
Though she spoke bravely, her heart
quaked. He would tell her mother;
and of the latters opinion on all points
of propriety Ethel stood in wholesome
awe.
II fear l have offended you" muir
INJURED the count, making her deep,
| deferential bow. "Ah, how unhappy
am, and how fortunate Is Mr.. Harding
in being your friend. Will you allow
me to escort you back to the hotel?"
She glanced around for Lawrence.
He was talking with a Swiss boatman
on the pier She hesitated a moment,
but he did not turn or look; he had
abandoned her to the count.
More piqued than she cared to own
even to herself, she walked away TO
the hotel with her titled admirer, and
leaving him at the entrance, fed to
her own room, flung off her hat and
wraps, and made herself ready to ap-
pear before her mother.
A.