Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-12-02
Copyright, 1899, by Florence Warden.
CHAPTER Mi.
A VISION OF DEATH.

The sight Of the chasm, sprung upon
his vision so Unexpectedly. had had so
great an effect upon Mason that at
first he was inclined to take the view
suggested by Coch Tai and to believe
that his brother had met with his
death in some rash exploration. under
taken at his own risk and against the
advice Of his guide.
Granville. though frail Of physique,
had been stubborn Of purpose. difficult
to advise or to lead. But then, on the
other hand. there had never been In
his character any taste for wild or rash
adventures; he. in his delicate state Of
health. was the last person who could
have been expected to lose his life in
mad attempt to climb to an inaccessi-
BILE rock or to dash forward with such
precipitancy as to lose sight Of the
fact that a chasm lay across his pro-
posed path.
Besides, the farmer had said dis
tinctly that Granville had come up to
explore the ruins. and then that Mer-
rick had "set him on his way"
And was it conceivable that guide
would warn a man that the path he
was taking was unsafe. and then
shrug his shoulders and leave him,
and then trouble himself no further as
to what had become Of his companion?
He turned at this point In his
thoughts abruptly to Coch Tai
$50. when you saw him attempt to
climb a path you knew to be unsafe,
you went on your way and never tried
to find out how be fared"
Coch Tai frowned uneasily and again
looked at his questioner askance.
81 was only a paid guide and was
dismissed when he sent me away, sir"
said he.
"And you didn't watch him as he
went?"
81 did. l watched him out Of sight.
And then he was safe, safe. tell you"
"And can you show me the way by
which he went?
81 could. can-as soon as the SHOWS
cleared away"
"And this was after he had been up
to explore the ruins?
Coch Tai hesitated.
81 suppose it was" he said at last.
Mason did not question him, again.
He saw that it was useless to hope to
get at the truth among these people,
who told him different and inconsist-
ent stories, who evaded inquiries
which they did not choose to answer,
whose one object in speaking seemed
to be to throw q mist Of doubt and un-
certainty about every fact. Before
such determination to hide the truth
as he seemed to feel everywhere
around him he felt that he was power
less.
They had reached the back Of the
farmhouse before either Of them spoke
again.
Then Mason saw Coch Tai glance
up at the drawn curtains Of Gwyn's
sickroom.
II must 60 up stairs now," said the
doctor, "and see how my patient Is"
"She's better, they tell me-" said he
shortly.
Eyes, she has had some Sleep" an
swered the doctor.
He entered the house and Coch Tai
followed, with the same sullen and
menac cling manner. Just as the doctor
reached the foot of the stairs Coch Tai
spoke again:
"How long are you going to stay
here. sir?"
Mason hesitated.
Until she Is out of danger" said he
at last.
"Is it her wish that you should
stayT
Surprised by the question, Mason
looked at him scrutinizingly by the
faint light of a smoky little lamp
which was nailed against the wall.
There was eager interest in the mans
face and something like menace In his
tone.
NO" said Mason. 1T is her fathers
wish" Coch Tai looked relieved, but
still somewhat suspicious. 1.-THE girl
herself told me to 60 away"
"She told you that?"
"Yes."
"Then l should 60 If were you,"
retorted Coch Tai grimly.
At that moment the farmer came out
Of one Of the rooms above and called to
Mason to come and see his daughter.
His tone was jubilant and eager. Coch
Tai withdrew noiselessly and at once
and disappeared by the back door as
Mason went up stairs.
He and Tregaron entered the sick
room together.
The patient was better; there was no
doubt Of that. She had had more sleep
during the day; her temperature had
gone down; the cough was less fire.
quent, less painful. The doctor, at
whom she smiled, but to whom she
scarcely spoke, turned to the farmer
with a reassuring look.
"She will do now with care" said
he. "She must be quiet and we'll
nursed. But the worst Of the trouble
is over"
"Then you can go away, doctor"
said the girl, speaking out with unex-