The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-03-06
The old IN looked at me, dazed.

that taught and loved, the heiress
of that Warringford9"
'It is true,"I said. ''Do net let
Us waste any time"
"Where is HeleneT" ssked Gordon
impatiently. 'Is she hidden here?"
"No. When she was little she was
here, and I taught her. All! How
we'll I taught her. She is noble, is
Helene. She is grand. But she is g
woman now. Ah! She is more than
q woman, she is priestess.
"a priestess!" I cried. "Where
is she?"
"Not here" was Chicot's reply.
'Far away; but we will find her. Come
with me-"
He led US out of the temple and
back through the valley.
He was weeping. Whether it was
Joy. sorrow, surprise or imbecility that
caused him to weep did not know or
care.
Around us dark faces peered from
the trees, and surprised-looking eyes
followed us in our return tramp. Now
and then o priest would show himself,
then dart away again. There was no
sign of warfare. Our display of SOL
diers forbade that.
We reached the village, no longer
deserted. The women had returned
and were preparing their poi for sup.
per.
Chicot led US to larger and better
equipped house than the rest.
"Here is my house." he said.
."Helene will not know me now. She
will be a great lady. She will no
longer care for the old teacher"
'What is that? The old teacher?"
T asked. ''Does Helene not know you
as her grandfather"
"No. Helene is a priestess. She
Is taught that she is immortal. That
is the way the Observation-Disclosures
teaches its priestesses Of Pele. No,
Helene knows me only as the old
teacher. She lived yonder in the tem-
pie, and I taught her there. She is
all T have, Helene, and now you come
with soldiers to take her from me-"
"I shall not take her from you. You
nav 90 with me to find Helene, and,
If she likes, she can take you to live
with her, for Helene will be wealthy
md can do what she likes"
"Ah!" whispered the old man.
"Will she do that? All! would
not like to lose my Helene"
He fumbled among some papers in
a box he took from some corner OF his
hut.
us your wife dead?" asked Cor.
don.
eyes. Helene is all have"
Chow long have you been teaching
of Pele?"
"Many years. It is a beautiful
thing, the worship of Pele."
"Crazy as bedbug, said Seacamp.
gloomy as an owl. It's wonder he
hasn't sacrificed Helene to Pele long
before this"
A smile showed itself in the old
mans face.
"I have it here" he said.
He handed me roll tied with rib.
bon.
Iundid it. It was marriage Ger.
tifcate.
In one corner was picture OF Uncle
Tom. In the other
A mist came before my eyes. My
hands trembled and the paper shook.
I felt a sensation of horror go all
through me. Ny brain seemed hot.
My heart almost burst.
whats the ,natter?" hoarsely asked
Gordon. ''Tom, Tom, man, speak!
What is it? Anything wrong with the
marriage certifcate?"
"That face! That facet" I cried,
hurting the paper at him and covering
my eyes to shut out the sight.
ga beautiful face" said Gordon,
wonderingly. GA lovely face. No won
der your uncle fell in love with it.
This is the picture of Annette, is it,
Jean Chicot?"
eyes; it is Annette, the mother OF
Helene"
"God!' said. "Help me in this
hour of trial. That face-that face
it Is the priestess of Pele-Kaumal-
the woman I loved-the murderess OF
nv sister-the woman we have sworn
to kill! Oh, what mystery is this!
What miserable fate is this that makes
murderess of my uncle's wife, the
mother of Helene?"
"No!" shouted Chicot.' "This IS
net the picture of Helene. 1t is the
| ,,;ntura Of Annette. her mother.