Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-07-15

YORI
| would not have made scene before
their guests in the next room, so thor
ough was the Van Hart inheritance.
The song had ceased, buzz Of gay
comment followed. The lady nodded
at the open door, and the Judge went
as If to close 1t. Mrs. Van Hart placed
a cool and. gracious hand upon Aure-
lies head. my DEAR" she said slow
lily, IT can understand. You're both
VERY young, and these summer nights
along Sinsinawa-beautiful!" She
smiled and stroked the girls hair.
80 very young" the father repeat
ed. "And Harlan-your way to make
Ia long tough battle" -. they
could not hear the rest the
law b.. a Jealous mistress
my boy -. my boy!"
Then, before them, the judge arose
and fed hastily. To Harlan it seemed
he staggered in the shadow Of the din
ing-room. sa -r.. .t.. .#.
But Aurelie did not know. She SEEM
ed stupified at all this largeness of
soul. She had not dreamed such grace,
such warmth, could be. Even Uncle
Michigan's profane and picturesque
love had not been of this amplitude.
Suddenly she felt what in all her alb
surd and lonely pride she had never
felt-a remorseless misery for her ig-
norance, an infinite pathos for her
beggary, her vanity, her unworth-she
tried to put her Drowned and roughed
little hands away; and then, with a
great humbleness, she knew there was
no need. Love was about her, 1t un-
derstood; 1t covered all. She corid not
lift her eyes for the tears in them; she
could not trust her voice to speak.
"She's the most generous little heart
in all the world" Harlan was saying.
"And I want you to help her, mother.
All this publicity and prize-winning-
we hate It! Aurelie has given 1t up.
mother. She promised-and / want
you to protect her till come back!"
There was a silence. Mrs. Van Hart
was stin smiling. What wonderful
thing youth Isl And how one smiles
over it later! My dear children, ] don't
know what to say to you. lit has
Jared us, Harlan! And want you
both to be very discreet and cool-head-
ed" She smiled again and with such a
rare and lofty tenderness that, for a
moment, Harlan was again deceived
Harlan must go back to school this
year, and Aurelie"-her breath came a
trifle shorter-"my dear, want to talk
to you. And Harlan, you ought to go
see the young people for a moment
he understood the resolute authority In
her tone-"and your father-he needs
you, doubtless" a
The son looked at her and for an in
slant rebellion famed in his eyes. She
ruled the home, with a gracious will
but one Of steel. Harlan paused un-
certainly A defeated surliness arose
In him. He had felt so sure, so loyal
to Aurelie's wild pathos, so splendid
with the strength Of her renunciation
for him! He had come eager to pour
It forth, to exalt 1t and defy with It,;
but now his mother was in command.
and behind her 1t seemed all the years
and centuries Of their forebears, their
class and culture, stood. He would obey
or he would revolt, and II he did the
last, there would be crisis, cold.
sharp, decisive, he could not tell exact
ly Of what Only he knew his mothers
imperious will. He knew she was look
ing at him; that she was reading him.
He raised his eyes steadily to hers; In
them was warning.
"Yes, mother" he answered quietly
and left the room.
There was silence again. Then the
piano in the front room strayed to a
waltz song from the latest musical
show; there was laughter, a step, the
rustic of a gown-a fiuff Of lace In the
doorway, whisked past, vanished on
the polished hall. Mrs. Van Hart
watched the door attentively for time.
Harlan's set was accustomed to drag
the rugs aside and dance all down the
hall and through the dining room with
out asking Of any one. And the fold
ing doors were open.
Then her cool eyes turned to Aure-
lie. How old are you, child?"
Nineteen, almost" Aurelie was
conscious now Of a placid purpose In
the voice. Yet it still was kind.
You're so very slender. 1 didn't
dream it. l remember seeing you the
last time the ladies asked the children
to make wreaths for the Home Week
festival. You brought such quantities
and had them wreathed about you. 1t
was-striking-but thought you were
child"
"I know" said Aurelie family.
She was watching the big hall door.
An audacious couple had waltzed past
it; the music was louder, the laughter
livelier. Some of Harlan's friends are
here. Old high school friends, Aure-
lie. To see him away to college. You
wouldn't have me bring him back,
would your" She smiled. "You love
him, you say!"
mo-" answered Aurelie more faint
ly. IF it's his party, he ought to stay.
Only" she dreamed away, watching
the door. In her eyes the lights grew
to all the wondrous glamour that was
calling her from somewhere; the mu-
sic was something played for her long
wandering heart-it was outside, 1t
was over the hills, 1t was from the
splendid world!
1T is his party and he ought to
stay" the lady smiled on. And Aure-
lie, you think you love him."
Yes"
And you'd give everything for him,