Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-09-05
F}lk WELDON ESTATE,
BY ALFRED r. CALHOUN.
Copyright, 1896, by American Press Associate
CHAPTER XIII.


down to the valley Of the Great Spirit
through the canyon by which Howard
Blanchard first entered with Captain
Brandon Though broken hearted,
weary and on foot and much accustomed
to the wonderful scenery of this mar
velous land, they could not but be awed
by the sublimity of their surroundings.
The shadows and gloom were in SYM
pathy with their own hearts, and as
hand in hand they went down deeper
and deeper into the canyon it seemed
to Mrs. Kyle that she must have died
with her husband, and that in death, as
in life, she was still clinging to him
and leading him through the darkened
way out to the gate called Beautiful.
And when the sunlit opening to the
valley came in sight she stood and clung
to him and closed her eyes, not daring to
look at the glory that seemed Of another
world.
"Here is the valley of the Great
Spirit, said the guide, pointing out to
the light. II can hear voices"
Above the sound Of the waters, hurry
ing down to the placid lake in the GEN.
ter of the valley, Mrs. Kyle heard the
singing and laughter Of the immigrant
children, and the sound came to her
ears like the seraphic singing Of angels.
What music is there to the mother like
the laughter of children? Even Valen-
tine Kyle was awed, and so filed with
the supernatural exhilaration that his
face glowed and his gray hair and beard
looked like sanity halo.
"Let Us get into the light" called
out the guide. "It is pleasanter in the
beautiful valley"
They followed him out, but stopped
again at point where all the glories Of
the enchanted scene burst upon their be-
wildered gaze.
There were children playing by the
lake, and at the sight Of the strangers
they ran shouting to the caves in alarm,
and their cries broke the illusion and
told Mrs Kyle she was still in the land
Of fear and sorrow and danger.
AS they crossed the valley they could
BEE anxious faces peering at them from
behind the rocks
Just as Valentine Kyle was about to
call to them not to fear, a tall, rosy
faced girl made her appearance and ap-
preached them with extended hands.
"I am Mary Clyde, /" she said Come
with me- You seem to have trouble,
like ourselves.
Indeed we have trouble, my child"
said Mrs Kyle MAY you never know
80 much"
"And may yours soon be lightened, |"
said Mary, land it will be If it is in our
power. We are only women and chill
dren W h one old man here, but the
Prophet says we are safe"
Mary Clyde then led them to the cave
entrance, and here the women and chill
dren came swarming out, all ashamed
Of their alarm. though their recent ex-
perience warranted them in the precau-
tion. Mr.. Kyle let his wife answer, and
when she told them her name they all
asked in a chorus, "Are you Louis
Kyle's mother7"
"I am"
"Then," said Mary Clyde, 81 shall
kiss you" And thereupon all the other
women and all the children followed
Mary's hospitable example.
When Mrs Kyle told them that her
home had been destroyed by Bouton,
and that her daughter was then pris-
oner in his hands, the indignation of
the immigrant women became extreme,
and Mrs. Clyde, Mary s mother, declared
with much emphasis that death would
be something like a pleasure if she could
Just see Bouton tortured as she would
have him tortured and as he deserved to
be tortured ''for just five minutes.
Mr.. Kyle told them the little he had
learned from the Prophet about Dr.
Blanchard and his family. The report
was that the doctor had escaped, but
that the girls were still in the power CT
the outlaws
"All our men are out aiding in the
fight" said one woman, land we'd be
willing to 60 and help them if it wasn't
for the children"
The immigrants did all in their pow
er to comfort their guests, and all spoke
Of termination to the trouble which
the most imaginative did not feel in
her heart. About the middle of the aft
ernoon the children, who never tired of
the beautiful valley nor ceased to Won
der at the grand caves, came running
in, the leader shouting:
''The Prophet! The Prophet is COM
ingp
Without asking a question all hur-
ried out and saw the Prophet crossing
the valley accompanied by Clara Blanch-
ard and her father. The women and
children ran to meet them with shouts
Of joy, but Valentine Kyle and his wife
remained back in the shadow.
II cannot meet him, wife. I cannot
meet himv' cried the unhappy man.
"Meet him, husband Even if he
should recognize you he can bear you
no malice. DR.. Blanchard was ever your
friend!"
"No, I will remain in the shadow
till I can escape from here"
"That you must not do, Valentine.
Look out, my husband. See, time has
so changed him that I could not tell