Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-02-28
CHAPTER XVIII.
Bees Rebellion.

1eSS n0o0h'S"
The first week of Bees imprison-
ment was a dreary, hopeless time In
deed. She saw no member OF the
household save Finette, whom, as her
aunt's maid, she naturally regarded
with distrust and aversion. Now and
then the brown Frenchwoman showed
a desire to open conversation with her,
but was sharply repulsed. Bee paid no
heed to her searching glances, her lit
tie attentions, designed to promote a
nearer acquaintance. Absorbed in her
own bitter thoughts, she never dream,
ed that the help that she stood in need
was to be found in this stolid-faced
servant.
One day Finette entered the cham
ber with a tray, on which q tempting
lunch was spread-Mrs. Sardis did not
deny her niece creature comforts. Bee
sat at q table, turning the leaves OF a
book, outwardly calm, inwardly raging,
the color gone from her pretty face, her
girlish contours already wasted-for
Bee was scarcely the one to bear her
trying situation with equanimity.
Finette put down her tray, stole one
curious look at the prisoner, retreated
to the door, then turned suddenly back.
Has mademoiselle any word to send
madame today?" she said, in low
voice. Bee looked up in surprise.
mo. thought you could not speak
English?" ,
replied Finette, calmly. Has made
moiselle anything to say to me?"
NO"
Think again! Mademoiselle is very
unhappy. She is determined never TO
yield to her aunt's demands-good! But
she needs help-is 1t not so?'
Bee started to her feet, her eager
eyes shining like stars.
who will help me In this house!'
she demanded.
az will" said Ffnette
Are you speaking in good faith, or
is this only a part of the conspiracy
against me?"
The woman's dark, unhandsome face
grew earnest. even fervent.
"As God hears me, mademoiselle, l
speak truly! I will aid you to escape.
But hushi we must be cautious. Ma
DANES eyes are wide open-she sees
everything; and the baron, he comes
daily to consult with her-curse him!
These last words she uttered under her
breath.
Bee started.
$50 bad as that? Finette, If write
a letter to a friend outside OF this
house will you promise to deliver 1t Tor
me?"
Yes, mademoiSelle.
That was all. The French maid de-
parted, leaving the young prisoner un-
speakably cheered and encouraged.
When the dinner-hour struck, she
appeared again, but intimated by a
sign that Mrs. Sardis was listening In
the corridor; therefore further conver-
sation was impossible. .,
Bee slipped into her hand a little,
square envelope, adressed to Eric Sake,
and saw Ffnette transfer 1t silently TO
the bosom of her dress. Then the lit
tie heiress was alone again with her
reflections.
She heard people moving about the
house; the sound of voices on the stair.
the shutting of doors filled her with
evaporation. It was not strange that
Bee should determine to escape at any
cost from her guardians roof-that she
should cancel, then and there, every
. consideration of duty and obedience
which she owed to him.
At the end Of twenty-four hours FL
nette brought her a letter dexterousiy
folded in a napkin. AS soon as she
was alone. Bee tore open the precious
message, and read wild outbreak OF
love, wrath, pity and encouragement,
which her trials and dangers had drawn
from the passionate heart OF Eric SAKE.
Trust the woman, F'inette," he said.
i 1eGl sure lIldL she Is dCllHS III Soou
faith. Trust me, also; and believe that
1 love you with all my heart and soul
and strength. Miss Vann will give you
shelter and welcome at any time. My
poor prosecuted darling, take cour-
age!"
Bee kissed the sheet rapturously
vowed allegiance anew to the writer
and felt her spirits rise like thistle
down in the wind. She had just time
to slip the letter out of sight when a
key turned in the lock and Mrs. Sardis
entered. .,
She was in full evening-dress; rich
opera cloak was thrown across her
shoulders. She approached Bee with a
great rustic, a displeased elevation OF
her mastic- -darkened eyebrows.
You foolish obdurate child, how long
do you mean to remain here?" she cried
Are you not yet ready to listen to rea-
SON."
ITO reason-yes," answered Bee;
"but not to any talk of marriage with
Baron Strozzi. l fear l shall have tc
remain here a long time-say centur!
at least, before I can bring myself t
that"
Mrs. Sardis's hard, dark eyes flashed
angrily.
DO not forget that your uncle ha:
full control of your person and you,
property, Beatrix. Already your friend:
hear that you are ill-that you have re-
tired from society-owing to sligh
alteration of mind. Don't start!-it !!
the proper name to apply to your pres
ent malady. Your rejection of Baror
Strozzi's hand, your infatuation for
penniless painter immeasurably you1
social inferior, bespeak incipient mad
ness. If you do not soon manifest som'
sign of recovery, 1t is possible that We
may be obliged to place you under fur
ther restraint"
The menace in these words struck I
new fear to the girls heart. She KEEP
a bold front, however, and said, with {
scornful smile:
You mean, perhaps. that you will
put me in a madhouse and confscatt
my fortune? That is very dramatic
and quite worthy of your superior
mind, my dear aunt; but is 1t not jus
possible that l may have a few friends
who would require some stronger proc
of my insanity than the two reasons
which you have given?"
Your guardian holds his authorit!
over you quite Independent of you
friends" answered Mrs. Sardis, coldly
Profit by the warning you have re
ceived, and do not eXasperate me to-
far. l feel justified in adopting an.
measure, however severe, that will pre-
vent you SoulS civ
your family by low marriage. Let m
also warn you to hold no conversation
with my maid, observation-disclosures
have a perfect passion for intrigue.
have instructed a second servant t
keep constantly in the vicinity of you
door and watch the creature closel.
when she brings your meals. Baro1
Strozzi sends you his tender regards
and bids me say that he is inconsol
able at your obstinacy. can only hop
that solitude and reflection may we
bring you to your right mind, Beatrix.
With a pale cheek and downcas
eyes, Beatrix stood meditating.
Il wish to see my guardian" sh
said at last; Il wish to talk with him.
He declines to hold any communica
tion with YOU" answered Mrs. Sardis
gathering her rich cloak about he
shoulders with severe gravity, unit
YOU conform to my wishes"
'I understand" flashed Bee. "Yo,
will not allow him to see me, becaus
YOU fear he may be moved to releas
n