Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-01-14

CHAPTER M-Continued.

opened the door Of the sitting room to
receive her. He had keener eyes than
Aunt Affry. He saw the expression on
the signor's face, and his own grew
dark with jealousy.
Did that fellow speak to you, Mer-
NO." she answered with a cheek that
was paler than usual.
Are you sure?"
Quite sure"
"Insolent begsar! He looked as If he
would devour you! BY Jove! / fear
you have made. a conquest"
DON'T" said Mercy, in voice
low, so full Of distress that he dropped
the subject at once; but 1t ranked in
his memory, and he had good cause to
think of II often in the bitter after time.
Another day came, broiling, unbear-
able. Moll Dill had been out all night,
taking with her Mercy's poor little
purse. In whatever corner the girl
might hide her scanty earnings, this
reprobate mother was sure to find and
appropriate them. Sad, anxious, dis
couraged, Mercy arose early to con-
front the situation. Moll was at some
of her old drinking haunts, and Molis
daughter had not cent left with which
to purchase her morning meal. The
rooms Of the Aid Society, opened. how
bundle Of finished work to take thither.
While making it up, Mercy heard her
mothers step on the stairs. She ran
to the door-yes, Moll was there, COM
ing up slowly, supported by man, who
led her with the protestingsair of one
who did not relish his occupation
Signor Discordo.
II found her reclining in Ze doorway
he said, "Mees Mercy, be not alarmed
/ think only of you'll wish only to
serve you, and I help her in. She Will
be better soon."
No word escaped Mercy's pale lips.
With the stricken face Of one who
could never become accustomed to
these oft-recurring scenes, she attempt
ed to lead her wretched mother into
the chamber; but the latter turned OBJ
stinately back for word with the sig
nor.
I'm obliged to you, sir" she stam-
mered; 81 was lady once, and know
what politeness is. Not every gentle
man would stop to help a drunken
creature like me-
"Mother!" interrupted Mercy, in wild
distress, "come-pray come"
Signor Discordo slipped bit Of pa
per into Moll Dilrs hand-a bank note,
crisp and green, and turning on his
heel. walked away toward his own
door. Swift as lightning, Mercy snatch
ed the money, sprang after him, ano,
with blazing eyes and dumb, pale lips,
flung It straight into his wicked, smil-
ing face. The next instant she had
vanished, and her mother with her, into
the back chamber.
"Ahl" said the signor to himself, as
he picked up the rejected bill, she haf
spirit like zat No milk-and water
prettiness for mel Ze more / see or
her re more I adore her. She may scorn
she may flout me, but all re same she
is my camel"
The city clocks were striking nine
when Mercy descended the stair with
her bundle of work, and hurried on
through Seedy Court to the rooms OF
the Aid Society.
where Val had snatched her up from
trampling hoofs on the occasion OF her
first flight from Discordo, when 10!
shadow, a voice, soft and insinuating,
calling her name, "Mees Dill! ana
Mercy turned, and saw at her shoulder
the dark face Of the omnipresent DIS
cordo himself.
"Mees Mercy" he cried, with de-
precatory gesture, Il haf something to
say to you-let me say it. and will go
i will trouble you no more. Why
treat 50 udOly why nv ~
cause I am driven distracted with you?
Be kind one minute, and listen. l am
YOUR slave. l will kneel at your feet
and let you trample me, If you like"
But Mercy desired no such proof OF
devotion. She looked at him with
stern, indignant eyes.
You have nothing to say to me, sir,
which I can or will hear. I will neith-
er talk nor listen to you" she answer
ed.
He shrugged his shoulders.
will you not? Then l must make
what you call a scene-here, on Ze
street-and zat will be bad for you
for your reputation. All! you turn pale.
Is It such a great matter to let man
tell you he loves you No, zat is not the
world adore you. I haf no heart lett
in my body. Listen! 1 meet you on
public street by accident, one day. l
turn and follow you, because my soul
lead me and I cannot help 1t. l call
you beauty and you flash at me an
gry-you think I mean insult. All,
heaven forbid! No! I knew you were
an angel, but we Italians, when our
hearts are full, must speak out. l say
to myself, This woman is loveliest or
all women. I die If do not find her
and ask her to forgive me- l search
diligent, Mees Mercy. / stumble on NO.
10 Seedy Court. l hear your good Cos
pei Hymns. see your ravishing face,
and my soul is happy. Hist! hear me
out, and be very quiet, or people VIII
look at US. l love you! You haf much
sorrow-I will take you from 1t all! l
will give you fine clothes, fine jewels.
be not poor, though but professor OF
music. Hush! l know what you would
saw. You haf a lover-dam! He of ze
red hair. You must not throw your
self away on him. You haf ze beauty
of a queen, and he is clod-a boor,
poor as a cat and ugly as sin. Bah! he
loves not as l love-I, ze son OF re
south. know Eat you are goodman !
not heard your heavenly songs? ana l
worship you spotlessly. You snail be
nv wife. I will take you with me to
my fair Italy. l am your slave. Mees
Mercy. I live only to win your love-
wish only for zat, and l must haf it at
any COST
He delivered this speech in moder-
ate voice, but with look on his race,
lurking devil in his eyes that maze
Mercy thrill with such terror and con-
sternation as she had never known be-
fore in all her troubled life. But the
girl was no coward. She was on pub
lie street where people were coming
and going-he could not molest her
there, ana all rear Ol d SSSlle was S"c'.
lowed up in her detestation OF this
strange, dark man. :,
sir" she answered, seeing that II
was necessary for her to speak at once
and rid herself of her tormentor, all
YOU have said is most hateful to my
ears. If you speak to me again-f you
follow me again, shall call for heip.
His SCARED. swarthy face grew livld
Mon Dieu." he hissed, how cruel
you are, No other word than this?'
None. Leave me! If you attempt
TO walk with me further sir, shall ask
helm of the first policeman we meet
"Ah! what spirit you haf! T h' ign
your name is Mercy, you are not mer-
ciful Do you hate me, them?
II abhor you!"
He gave a soft, low whistle.
"Zat is dreadful and it grieves me to
re heart! You love ze man with re
red hair-zat clown. Eat church mouse!
Rut listen, / haf presentiment-you
win nevair marry him-nevair! VINO
comes yonder? 1 go, fair Mercy!
Il a n