Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-03-14
CHAPTER v.

The AFTERNOON ndu peSt uHpiedSdh'
for both Mrs. Robertson and hel
daughter. The lady was studiously Icy
to Evelyn, and the girl was utterly
miserable. Robert Perciyal was away
wifi Mackenzie. In his absence, al
though the two women ate dinner to
gether and kept each other company
afterward in the drawing room, their
conversation was limited to the sim
plest commonplaces. The return Of the
men eased the tension. Percival ex-
cused himself almost at once 70 write
some letters, and as Mackenzie made
evident his eagerness TO get Evelyn by
herself, Mrs. Robertson seized a
chance to steal away to her own room
For some time after her departure
the girl and the man were silent. This
was the first time In Mares life that
his heart had been really touched by
woman, and In spite Of his years
and experience, he was almost as
bashful as young boy.
At length their eyes met, and the
girls lowered, while the color mount
ed In a food to her hair.
The man was by her side In an In
stant. He had read in the shy, retreat
ing glance what he longed to see.
Evelyn! I-I-I-believe you care
for, me, 1 really believe you do" he
exclaimed. you do, sweet?" he de-
manded, his voice trembling.
yes" whispered Evelyn. .
f"Now, isn't 1t strange" asked Mar
Gus, after they took up their converse!
tlon again, "that while was gone /
always thought Of you, but not just
like this. Honey, girl, how long have
you loved me? Before-before todayT'
II think always" confessed Evelyn,
with a growing flush.
What fortunate man Marcus Mac
Kenzie considered himself just at that
momentl He had won the prettiest
girl In Ithaca; and she loved him.
"And to think I only came home
last night" he exulted. "This time
yesterday you were free, my Eve. At
this moment no power can take you
away from me-"
Dreadful recollections Of Oscar in
truded upon Evelyn's new happiness.
Oh, IL she only had the courage to tell
Marcus! Would he keep on loving her
and help her to get free, or would he
SHE glanced into his face. There
were upon It the marks of breeding,
Of pride In himself, his wealth, posi-
ton and power. She knew how highly
he regarded the conventions Of society.
If she should disclose to him the
secret Of her marriage to the farmer,
he would see nothing but the blot upon
her and turn away In disgust. No, she
couldn't tell him. Despair over
whelmed her and made MacKenzle's
arms burdensome. With an effort she
smiled family and withdrew from him.
81 don't want to let you go, darling"
he laughed. 1T seems like beautiful
dream!"
Eve wished passionately that she
were at liberty to make the dream
come true.
"You are my beloved" asserted Mar
cus, and with the girls whispered
EYES," he allowed her to leave the
room.
Evelyn went Immediately to her
mothers apartment and, opening the
door, slipped in and sank down upon
the floor at Mrs. Robertson's side.
1--WE told him I'd marry him. she
said, with trembling lips. Mother
dear, oh. please, mother dear, don't
yoW think you could borrow some mon
ey from Robert for me? I must have
it. After I'm married to Marcus,
could get 1t all back for you. know
l could. I've Just got TO have a lo'
of money, and you can't expect me to
ask Marcus"
Mrs. Robertson drew away with 9
shiver.
'If YOU so forgot yourself, your
family and your name as to DO such q
thing, | should disown you, Evelyn
she said, finality In her tones.
Evelyn rose YEARLY. She coul(
imagine the heights Of her mothers
scorn If she discovered the actual sit
uatiOn. She felt that she would rather
tell Mackenzie than the unsympa
thetic, frowning woman In the chair.
"There's no use, mother, in trying Il
talk to YOU" she muttered. "Fll man
age some way, though only God know:
! how"
Mrs. Robertson took up her book ant
gazed sternly at her daughter over TIT
top of it. -. $780,. ..- -