Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-12-16
THE: FARM IN THE HILLS.
A TALE OF M1SIEH Y.
Bv FLORENCE WARDEN.
Copyright, 1899, by Florence Warden.

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS INsTALLMENTs
In order that new readers of THE EN-
oUIRER may begin with the following IN
stallment of this story, and understand II
lust the same as though they had read 1t
all from the beginning, we here give
synopsis of that portion OF 1t which mas
already been published:
The Rev. Granville Mason, who is travel
ing in Wales, writes his brother, DR.. Reginald
Mason that he is about TO go on an excursion
in the hills with wild, uncouth; reaheadea
guide. After this nothing Is heard OF the cier-
eynGn. Dr. Mason goes to Wales, finds the
inn from which his brother started and learns
that he was going to the house OF Mr. Tregar-
on. owner Of Monachlog farm, some SIX miles
distant, under the guidance OF man S nick mex
noon, and, in his haste, without gulde, 10
make his way in face of snowstorn 10 Mon
achlog farm. Perceiving figure aheao OF
large, redheaded man, who on seeing the doc
tor shows signs ofgreat terror and darts ahead
Reginald follows, feeling sure that the man IS
Coch Tai, and, overtaking MIN, calls MN
by that name; but the man again eludeS MIN.
He pursues the fugitive down ravine tlll ne
arrives at the edge of cliff, from the bottom
of which comes groan. ABOVE MN ne hears
q voice calling and, retracing his steps, comes
upon a farmer who conducts him TO his house.
The mans daughter is i'll, and Reginald agrees
to attend her. On the farmers finger Reginald
sees q ring that had belonged to his brother.
The house and the people In 1t are mysterious
There are an old woman, the farmers young
son, Tom, and q farmland called Myrlck.
Reginald goes to the room OF the sick girl,
Gwyn, and, upon seeing him, she Is struck
with horror. Reginald sleeps IN the kltchen
in chair before the fire. During the night ne
awakens to find that some one has entered
the room and has evidently tried 10 roo MIN,
suspicion pointing to the tarmhana Myrlck,
who turns out to be Coch Ial, ana tne larilier
ho Nr .n6
Monachlog farm. Tregaron tells Reginald that
he found the ring on a hillside near by. Reg
inald watches at GwynS BEDSIDE, ana sne
warns him to leave the place before e., morn,nE
mysterious. The old woman never SPEAKS )
but appears to be spying; Coch Tai IS moody,
while Gwyn is in constant trror; ReGlhalu,
seeing Coch Tai climbing a ladder TO a loit;
follows him. corners him in his bedroom ana
questions him about his missing Drotner
Coch Tai admits that he was Granville Mas
sons guide and says that Mason insisted on
climbing where it was not safe He disappear
ed, and Coch Tai never saw him afterward
Gwyn RECEIVERS and urges Reginald 10 depart.
A heavy fall Of snow prevents, ana ne Deneves
that he will never get out OF the place allTe
While he is with Gwyn, Coch Tai comes TO the
door. Reginald goes out to him, and Coch Tai
shows plainly that he Is in love with Gwyn
and jealous OF Reginald and threatens MN IN
case he does not depart at once. Reginald
pacifies him and returns TO Gwyn, who dis
closes that she hates Coch Tai; but evidently
fears him. Reginald feels that she possesses
the secret Of his brothers disappearance. ReE-
inald discovers pit on the place ana. wnlie
examining it. see the OLD WOmans Gatehing
lapses and acts strangely. Reginald while
watching with her, falls asleep. He awaRes, to
find himself bound, cloth over his head, and
hears Gwyn pleading for HIM. She Is telling
some one, "He loves me, and love him, ana
he is going to marry me-" Then Reginald Is
left alone with her. Gwyn does not explain
the mystery, but the next day declares that
the attack upon him was n trick TO frighten
him. She does not explain why she said that
she and Reginald were to be married, but de-
clares that such must be the understanding
until she can secure his departure, when he
will be free. Tregaron congratulates Reginald
Reginald determines to sleep in the loft with
Coch Tai He awakens to find Coch Tai bend
ing over him and asking him to wake up AND
help him control his desire to kill him. Coch
Tai contesses that his enmity is on account OF
Gwyn. but finally nobly admits that he desires
Gwyn's happiness even at the expense of his
own. Reginald asks Gwyn to be his wife, but
she resists the temptation to marry above her
station. They suspect that their conversation
has been overheard by an eavesdropper.