Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-12-24
CHAPTER XV-Continued.

a woman, Oh course, lie dnS"SlS Gu
Several of the islanders, find, have
encountered her from time to time, bu
wild horses wouldn't draw the trutf
from them; their lips are sealed on the
subject of the murder All the same
every mothers son of them knows thai
Mrs. Hawkstone killed her husband"
/ grew red with wrath.
How dare you utter such gross
falsehood?" I cried. Mrs. Hawk.
stone a murderess? Never! 1t is ar
outrage to the dead and the living
alike to even hint at such a thing!"
I'VE will not quarrel about so ole
an affair."" he sneered; 1T cannot ir
the least matter who killed my uncle
at this late day. Depend upon 1t, how
ever, that sly cat was the murderess
though, l admit, she hid her guilt skill
fully. But to return to ghosts: There
are more things in heaven and earth
Horatio, than are dreamed of in your
philosophy I met our island spooE
one night on the beach. She startled
me not little, for she was as white as
ocean foam, and was dressed in some
long, ghostly garment, like a shroud
I gave chase to her, and she disap-
peared somewhere among the sand
dunes. I wonder''-dryly-'if that she
pirate, Peg Patton. knows anything
about ghosts!"
was silent remembering Bees
fright Of the previous day-remember-
ing, too, my own experience in Philip
Hawkstone's death chamber.
There was a brief silence. Vincent
lay back in the grass, and watched me
through half-closed eyes.
by the way" he resumed, at last
Prince Lucifer sails for Europe again
this coming week. The Gothamites, il
seems have been making a social lion
OF him since he appeared among them;
but he hates society-he'll be off, fast
enough, at the appointed time. Rather
odd that he doesn't visit the island be-
fore his departure! Not that want
him here-far from It; for, Of late, the
place has become an Eden to me, and
any intruder would be unwelcome
Yes, an Eden, Jetta, and you are the
Eve, and I the Adam!"
1 started up from the memorial slab
He caught my dress-lifted to me a
pale, passionate face.
Stop, JettaI You have been staving
this thing off for days; but you must
listen now, for 1 will speak! I have
no words to tell how love you-how
madly / long to marry you! True,
am a wild fellow. but you can make
me what you will. Save me, Jetta
from myself-save me, my beautiful
darling! You can do it, and you only
of all living women!"
Divided betwixt pity and aversion,
stood, an unwilling prisoner, holding to
the slab.
Il have no ambition to marry a man
to reform him." I answered, coldly
"The woman who chooses such mis-
sion Is either a fool or a seeker after
martyrdom. Be man, and save your
self: 1 cannot do it. Vincent Hawk
stone, because l do not, and never can
care in the least for you!"
The look that went over his face
frightened me. Silly, headstrong boy!
He held me with hot hands, as though
he would never let me go.
Don't say that, Jetta," he pleaded;
don't cut me entirely off from hope!
Say you love me little-a very little
Not Bit" protested. stOutly; "a
false hope. as everybody knows, is
more cruel than none at ALL"
by the Lord above us, Jetta." he
cried, 81 will not take this answer!
loved You years ago, when we were cir
and boy together on the island. re-
joiced in my soul when Prince Lucifel
lost you by his mad marriage; and
then swore to myself that you should
: take me for a husband some day, II
place of him. That oath still mean tC
keep. You cruel little demon, how car
you stand here, with those arden
southern eyes, and that mouth made
only for kisses, and repulse me with
out mercy? l intend to make you my
wife, Jetta, and at once. Tomorrow
shall go to New York to find Basil
and ask him, in view of our mp>nG'
ing marriage, to increase my allow
ance, and put me in old Harris's place
here on the island
At this extraordinary announcement
by Vincent my wrath blazed up.
Let go my dress, Vincent Hawk
stone!" commanded; "the most char
liable Interpretation that 1 can pu
upon your conduct is that your have
certainly been drinking again"
His wicked eyes flashed.
You know l am not drunk" III
cried hoarsely; this is all silly coquet
ry. cruel pretense! You love me, bu
YOU will not own it. You love me, O
YOU could not have been so kini Il
me"
Kind to you" l stormed. II have
shown you common civility-nOthint
more"
1T is true that your tongue has re
mained silent, Jetta. but your splendid
eyes have made me no end of prom
ises. and you shall not recall them-b!
Heaven, you shall not! You are mine
you shall never belong to any othe
man. You are mine. and have you
will. whether you are willing or unwill
ing"
1t came to me at that moment tina
Vincent Hawkstone was a totally reck
less and unscrupulOus person. Bee, at
tracted by his loud voice, came limpinl
back to me over the old graves, wit
her hands full of daisies. At sight
her, Vincent leaped to his feet.
Remember my words, Jetta.' h
said, hurriedly. Il go to make al
necessary arrangements: in few day
l shall return to the island, and MARI
you, in spite of yourself, for 1 am no
the man to stop at trifles-as you wi
discover, all in good time!"