Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-12-23


"You must not 90 aapay thinking that loe
are q body of nurdcrerS and thteUeS"
into her chair and covered her face
with her hands.
And for the first time the old wom-
an, who had reused so much animosity
in Masson's breast. showed a sign OF
tenderness, Of humanity.
"Don't-ee cry, dearie. It's bad. It's
very bad to bear. But don't-ee cry"
Mason stood transfiXed. For here
was another mystery presented to his
mind. The witchlike old woman. who
had been reported to speak no English
and who had. indeed. never until that
morning uttered q word in his hearing,
was speaking as intelligently and as in
telligibly as any Of them. Her beadlike
black eyes, too. whose unblinking stare
had been one cause Of the dislike she
had inspired in him. We're now full Of
kindliness and feeling.
There was nothing for him to do but
to cross the floor as quietly and unob'
trusively as possible and, retreating
into the background Of the corner be-
tween the fireplace and the front door.
to wait until they chose to give him the
confidence which he felt sure was i'm.
pending.
1t was Tom who broke the silence.
He put his arm, awkwardly but kindly.
on his sisters shoulder and said:
Don't take on. Gwyn. Tell the gen.
tleman. tell the doctor all about 1t.
You can now"'
And then he went out Of the room,
nodding to Coch Tai. who reluctantly
followed him. The old woman trans
ferred her gaze from her granddaugh-
ter to Mason. and then said. in low
voice:
Maybe she'll find 1t easier to speak
to you alcne. sir. And to tell you what
you'd better know. I'll come back
presently"
And then she retired In her turn. and
Mason and the girl were left alone.
For a few minutes she remained In
the same position. with her head bent
over her hands. He did not even feel
sure that she was conscious Of his
presence. But at last she raised her
head and showed him a face which
was drawn into strange FUCKERS and
lines by stress Of deep feeling.
Perhaps" said he gently. you
would rather not speak to me. I am
quite content to go away without hear
ing anything more. Indeed. can
guess for myself much that you may
have thought it necessary for me to
know"
But Gwyn bade him remain. making
an imperious gesture Of command rath-
er than entreaty that he should be
seated. So he took the chair on the
opposite side Of the fireplace. clasped
his hands loosely together and leaned
forward with his arms upon his knees.
30 that he could listen without appear
ing to watch her face.
you must know; you must hear"
said she in a faltering voice. ''for all
our sakes and for your own. You must
not 60 away thinking that we are a
body of murderers and thieves. We
are not You must not come back or
send detectives back to hunt out the
mystery Of your brothers death"
"Do you think would?' began Mas
son hotly, but she silenced him by q
gesture and went on:
Eyes, you would, if we let you 60
away without knowing the truth. You
might think yourself bound by some
tie Of kindness, Of gratitude. to keep
silent. But in the long run you would
say something or do something; you
would come back or send some one in
your behalf. and we should at any rate
all lie under the disgrace-my brother