Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-01-21

first young, good-looking man she
meets-not before her entrance into
society, where all her feelings, all hel
nature, must undergo a decided
change-not before she has some judg-
ment and some experience to guide hel
in her choice. You are person OF
honor and sense. I ask you, frankly
should / be acting justly toward my
ward If I answered you otherwise thar
this?"
| Eric SAKE walked away to the Jew.
ess's window, stood there a moment OF
two, looked blankly out into the morn.
ing, and then returned to his formel
position.
mo" he answered, in low, firm
| voice; you are quite right"
Mr.. Sardis grew cheerful.
! Then, under these circumstances,
must ask you to refrain from speaking
to my ward upon this subject until she
has been-well, let me say, six months
| in society. You owe this much, botf
to her and to myself. If your love IL
| of the right sort II will stand the test
The same may be said Of any girlfst
fancy which she may entertain toward
you"
A great light flashed into Eric Saxe's
dark face. Involuntarily he took ster
toward his visitor.
Am I to understand" he cried
that have your consent to address
Miss Sardis as a lover at the end OF
six months?"
The banker carefully averted his
eyes from this eager, impetuous lover
Perhaps he was afraid they might be-
tray the falsehood and treachery OF
his heart.
Upon certain conditions" he an
swered.
You shall pledge me your word as
gentleman not to speak Of love to
my ward till the half year be gone.
You shall promise that you will not
approach her in the character Of low
er-that you will hold no communica-
tion with her at any time, nor seek
either to see her or to bias her free
inclinations."
For a moment there was rank rebel
lion in Eric Saxe's passionate face;
then he drew a deep. long breath.
Your terms are hard"
"They are the best I can make"
Then must accept them-you leave
me no choice. One right, however,
demand" The dark blood mounted
hotly to his temples. II told you just
now that had never spoken of love
to Miss Sardis This is quite true, and
yet I have given her good cause to
think Of me as something more than a
friend. I cannot in honor, commit
myself to the course you have marked
out for me without first giving her
some explanation of what would other
wise seem most extraordinary conduct.
Mind, will not attempt to plead my
cause in the least; will simply state
the facts as they are, and-leave her.
Upon this point will take no denial
even from you"
The banker shrugged his shoulders.
Very we'll. But 1t is scarcely ne
cessary that you should see my niece
indeed I must object to an interview
at present. Sit down here and write
to her, not as passion, but as good
sense, dictates, and I myself will de-
liver your letter"
Eric SAKE looked disappointed, but
he walked straight to a table, and,
producing proper materials, sat down
to his task. His back was toward the
banker; the latter could see nothing
but a pair of handsome shoulders, but
he listened attentively to the rapid
scratching Of the pen over the paper.
Presently Sake arose and approach
ed his visitor with pale, pained face,
and an outstretched hand holding the
message for Bee.
do you wish to read it?"
Not for the world" answered the
banker. Il trust you implicitly"
SAKE pressed the seal down hard
upon his letter.
Now she will understand me-" he
murmured, more to himself than to the
banker. Cool and satisfied, the latter
arose to go. ..
II shall rely upon you," he said, sig
nificantly.
The two looked straight into each
others faces.
81 pledge you my word" said Eric
ger to your ward for six months to
come; but after that, mind you-after
that, I shall do my utmost, my very
utmost, to win her for myself"
VERY we'll. Adieu for the present, u
replied Cullen Sardis. And so he de-
parted from the old house.
Once outside its gate, he walked
swiftly away to the Newport Cliffs
There, in a solitary spot, he drew Eric
Saxe's letter from his pocket, tore II
open, read it through, stripped it into
minute fragments and tossed II
straight down into the sea.
"Presumptuous young beggar! ne Is
quite rabid!" he said to himself, with
an unpleasant smile. Il would be glad
to take him by the throat and choke
the impudence out Of him!"
After this he made haste to perform
two imperative duties which were
pressing hard upon his mind. The first
was to dispatch the following message
| to Mrs Sardis in Paris:
Come home Immediately and attend
| to Bee. You are needed"
The next was to gather his astonish-
ed ward and all her belongings to him
self, and, shaking the dust Of Bellevue
Avenue from his feet, fly with hel
from Newport and Miss Vann as fast
as steam could bear him.