Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-03-28
CHAPTER xxxv-continued.


Miss vann retired alone to her house
on the Hudson. With the arrival OF
the summer heat, Bees baby began to
droop, and Eric Sake hurried mother
and child off to the mountains.
'Tt seems so wicked to forsake
you!" sobbed Bee first upon Mercy's
shoulder and then in Etheps arms
wild horses could not drag me away
were 1t not for poor baby"
But her maternal fears pointed
mountainward, and reluctantly she
went. Ethel and Mercy were left
alone with Mrs. Sardis.
Those were weary days, yet not al
together devoid Of consolation. The
two girls-sisters, yet strangers--soon
came to know each other perfectly, to
love each other devotedly. Mercy
pupils had all fed from the city. To-
gether the lonely pair nursed Mrs
Sardis; together they labored from
early morning till late night at great
bundles of fine sewing and embroid-
cry which Miss Vann, at their own re-
quest. sent them from time to time
Alasi they could not afford to remain
idle, even for a few weeks. The days
were hot and long and dreary, but
neither uttered a word Of complaint
Sometimes Ethel would lean her beau
tiful head on her new-found sisters
shoulder, and call her Little Com
fort" or murmur, with tears:
my darling, what should do with
out you? You are my sole stay and
support now"
But that was ALL
Lawrence Harding was still in town
often he sent rare flowers and fruits
to Mrs. Sardis, and now and then he
called to inquire concerning her con-
dition, but he never saw Ethel, ano
never asked to see her.
One day an unexpected visitor ap-
peared at the quiet house-Mrs. JACK
Severne. She found Ethel plying her
making any attempt to suppress her
shocked feelings, she cried:
'Is IL as bad as this? l have come
all the way from Saratoga to see you
Lawrence would give me no peace un-
til / made you a call. He says you
wish to become a governess. 1t really
seems very dreadful Were 1t my case
I think I would kill myself at once
There! don't look distressed. Law
renee begged me to say nothing to
pain you; he declares that / have no
briefly as possible. My husband has
little niece who Is coming to take up
her abode with US in the autumn. She
will need a governess, and the situa-
tion is yours, If you can bring yourself
to accept It,"
A faint flush swept Ethels frost
white face.
bring myself to accept it?" she
answered.; gladly, thankfully. 1t Is no
matter Of choice with me, but OF ne
cessity."
"Then I may consider you engaged?'
said Mrs. SeVerne. Jack, / am sure
will be willing to give you liberal
salary"
Many thanks murmured Ethel.
Your mother, I suppose, does not
comprehend either her own troubles OF
yours?"
Thank God-no!"
She was a very worldly, ambitious
woman-you will pardon me for say
ing it-really, one should not be toe
worldly. Pride goeth before destruc-
ton, and a naughty spirit before a fall
as somebody once said-was 1t Shake
speare or Solomon? Now, Lawrence
will make me repeat every word OF
this conversation, and he will scold me
roundly for everything in 1t which
does not suit him. / will tell you Sc
cret, Ethel; we suspect, mamma and
that he is, at last, engaged to Alice
bradford. Dear mel. How well re-
member your engagement, and your
wedding, also-the most brilliant thai
7 ever attended. And to think II
should have turned out so unfortu-
nate! hope you will not perish with
the heat here. Only a salamander car
exist in New York at this season"
And she departed, leaving Ethel al
white as the embroidery In her hands
and Mercy speechless with tndigna
ton.
In the closing days of the summer
nynQntp6
Iy, and Mercy began to fold up hel
fine sewing to make ready for the re-
turn Of her pupils, two events hap
pened.
one miserable, rainy twilight. Law
renee Harding appeared at the quie
house. looking particularly grave.
81 wish to speak with you alone
Miss Sardis," he said to Mercy
have news for you"
He followed her into Bees little par
lor.
where is your sister," he asked.
with Mrs. Sardis," she replied
alarmed by something strange in nj
manner. "Oh, Mr.. Harding, what ha
happened now-some new mlsfor
tune?"
mo, you can scarcely call 1t that
Be calm, my dear child. 1t is best 10
me to first tell you the facts, and lie
YOU repeat them, as gently as possible
to her. She is not strong. For God,
sake be careful that you do not XII
her by any sudden shock!"
81 will be careful. Don't keep me Il
suspense, Mr.. Harding-pray dont!"
They had let the door opening upo
the hall ajar. Ethel Sardis, softly de
scending the stair from her mother
chamber at that moment, heard thel
voices and stopped in surprise to lis
fOr6lR1
newspapers from his pocket, and lai
them upon the mantel.
You will find in these full accoun
of the matter" he said; "and I hav
received a letter from a Paris CORES
pondent, confirming all the state
ments here made. Miss Sardis, Coun
Stahl is dead!"
Mercy uttered cry.
"Oh, Mr.. Harding, do you mean 1t
How?-where?"-
He was shot in an obscure gambl
ing place in the Rue st. Jacques, wher
he was keeping an appointment wit
that precious scoundrel, his 1orme
valet, known to us heDe in New Yor
as Baron Strozzi High words and &C
cusations had passed freely betwiA
the tWo-the so-called baron wante
money, and the count had none I
give him-this was the testimony {
the frequenters or the place-aho, .
last, Strozzi drew pistol and shot Tn
count dead. 1t seems that dark ru
mors have been whispered about Par
for weeks and months regarding tn
latter person. He is said to have Kill
ed his first countess, after spending a
her fortune, and also to have attempt
ed the life of his second wife-doub'
less your sister will some day tell yo
If this last accusation be true. Stroz;
escaped, and has not been found.
A stifed cry outside the door inter
rupted him-a heavy fall. The tw
rushed into the hall. and found Eth
lying PROSTATE and senseless at tn
foot Of the stair. No need for Nero
to tell her of the counts death; sh
knew it already-knew that the la:
act in the tragedy of her ambition
marriage had been played out-ths
she was a widow!
Lawrence lifted her silently in n
arms, and laid her upon sofa
Bee's DarlOr.