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


The Baron.
Along the Newport beach, Eric SAKE
was sauntering through the morning
sunshine, putting quietly at fragrant
Havana, and watching with quizzical
eyes the crowd of bathers.
All artists love Newport-he loved II
its delightful views, its stately splen-
dor, its rich, overflowing life. Far out
beyond all those laughing, plunging
dripping people Che recognized her at a
glance) was that delightful little girl
who had come to Newport to visit Miss
Vann. A violet ribbon tied the wide
hat over her blonde hair; her round
arms shone like pieces Of sculpture.
Adventurous little thing-how fear
less she was! 1t would be far better for
her to take hold of the rope-and even
as this prudent thought entered his
mind Mr.. Sake saw the violet ribbon
and the white arms vanish-saw peo-
heard a wild cry--heard the frantic
voice of Miss Vann shrieking:
She Is drowning! Oh, save her, in
Heavens name!"
Casting Off his outer garments, Eric
SAKE plunged into the surf, and struck
swiftly out for the drowning girl. He
gained the spot where she had vanish-
ed, dived, clutched limp little hand, a
thick braid Of hair, and brought Bee
up to the light of day again!
Her eyes were closed, her colorleSS
face was as the face of the dead. He
made for the beach with his burden
the beach where great excitement pre-
vailed, and where a score of arms were
stretched out to receive her. Miss Vann
met him with hysterical cry.
Eric! How can ever thank you?''
Where are your smelling -salts?"
said Mr.. Sake, quietly. Don't distress
yourself; it's all right now. Here comes
DR.. Orleander; l had better leave her
in his hands, had not?" and he deliv-
cred up his burden and vanished
straightway in the crowd.
When Bee recovered her senses she
was lying in her own chamber, in the
villa on Bellevue Avenue, surrounded
by Miss Vann and her servants, all in
lively state of anxiety.
Thank God, you are not dead!"
cried Miss Vann, fervently. have had
a prodigious fright--see how tremble!
If you had been drowned, BeatriX, your
guardian would never have forgitten
me-"
"Oh. I am sorry" faltered Bee, feel
ing very feeble and very penitent; did
you save me?"
81! Merciful Heaven! 1 never swan
stroke in my life. No, gentleman
came to your help-it was small mat
ter for him, of course-he rescued you
with very little effort-my friend, Mr..
Sake"
Bee did not speak a word, but the
blood rushed into her pale face and
out again.
uvo,, ,,,,,,. h. ,,o,,, cooa ooa n,,;ot
now, to eXpiate this misdemeanor,'
continued Miss Vann, rising from her
chair by Bees bedside. "Au revoir-I
must leave you in charge Of my maid,
for have guests coming to lunch. Ma
rie will take care Of you;" and Miss
Vann departed and left Bee to her own
reflections.
For the next twenty-four hours she
remained in her own room. Marie
brought her meals to her there; also
books and flowers for her amusement
and the information that Eric SAKE had
called twice to ask for her health. How
grateful Bee felt to the young painter!
She was romantic, she was impressible
she was seventeen. and he had saved
her life! 1t was like some incident in
the novels which she used to read by
stealth at Madame Manners school,
Dangers were gathering around Bee
Wrapped in a white robe de chambre
and reclining in an easy-chair by her
pretty, fiower-hung window, she looked
out all day upon the sea, and thought
of the dark, Raphael face, and it's own
ers sad, romantic story. 1t was scarce
ly profitable or safe occupation for a
girl of her years and experience; and
had her guardian known of It, he would
have whisked her away from Newport
before the setting Of the sun.
Next morning Bee arose strong, mer-
ry, not bit the worse for the accident
of the previous day. She went shop
ping with Miss Vann, sauntered
through Truro Park and the Redwood
Library, and came home to lunch in
high feather, hungry as a little bear
When that meal which was always q
substantial one in the Vann household
was over. her hostess said:
To-day Eric Sake will begin to paint
my portrait This is the hour l ap-
pointed for my first sitting. The carri-
age will be at the door directly. If you
like, Bee, you may go with me to his
studio, and thank him for the service
he rendered you yesterday"
Bee did like-she made ready, with
heart beating high. Very fair and
o"CCl Sllc IOOhCu, as SllS lOOh llSi pldSt
behind Miss Vann's blooded horses
very simply dressed she was, too, fol
the heiress of a million. Crisp white
lawn and Valenciennes lace, a white
hat and feather, and a cluster of vio-
let's carelessly fastened at her round
milky throat. made up her costume. But
she needed nothing more. She had
youth and perfect health, she had ex-
quisite blonde tints. and eyes as blue
as gentians and though a CHAIRMAN
rather than a Cleopatra, Bee was d
sight to gladden. any lover of bright
gay, unspotted girlhood.
The carriage rolled away toward the
ancient quarter of the town-that ole
Newport which has been hustled into
the background and put out of counte.
nance by the splendid encroachments
of Fashion. though it is rich in mem
ories of old commercial Importance
and of Revolutionary days, when the
gold embroidered uniforms of Rocham-
beau's officers flashed up and down it:
streets.
Here is the place." said Miss Vann;
and her landau stopped before an ole