Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-12-20

ed in vines, and surrounded Dy ranks
of lilies, and odd, foreign jars full OF
blossoming things. White moths
brushed through the leaves; fire-flies
flashed, like living jewels, around our
heads. On a distant headland the is
land beacon glowed, like a Cyclop's
eye, and below the ancient sea-wall
fishing boats moved, spirit-like, over
the water.
After the meal sat down to the pia-
no and sang some Scotch airs, and
Vincent Hawkstone played a flute de-
lightfully, while Mrs. Otway watched
US both in utter disapproval. He is at
the Hall daily--she finds him monoton-
Gus. perhaps, even as I do. When the
music was over, Hawkstone put down
his flute upon the piano. saw that 1t
was a very elegant instrument, richly
inlaid with gold.
Here is another heirloom Of the
Hawkstone's" he said, lightly; this
flute was once the property of young
count Of Rochambeau's army, who was
entertained in this house a century ago.
He was said to be the best fiute-player
at the court Of Louis XVI. He brought
this pretty affair along with him for
the after dinner amusement Of his
Yankee host, and, 1 dare say, accom-
panied the Madame Hawkstone Of that
period on the spinet or harpsichord.
Unluckily, madame was beautiful and
young, and she did not love her hun
band. The count with the handsome
face, and the airs he had learned at
Versailles, played so we'll that his host
complimented him highly; whereupon
the gallant Frenchmen begged him to
accept this flute as a souvenir Of the
occasion. So, here it is, after a hun
dred years, among the Hawkstone
relics"
rs that all?" asked.
$50 far as the French count is con-
cerned, for he never came to the island
again; but the young and beautiful
Mrs. Hawkstone began to pine from
that hour, and when the fleet sailed for
France, she was found, drowned and
dead, on the beach by Peg Patton's In
let. That's only one Of the many TRACE
dies in which the history Of our race
abounds."
1 shuddered, and rose up from the
piano.
II have letters to write" 1 said.
Goodnight"
He followed me to the door.
do you think you have half forgiv-
en- me-" he muttered, for my first mis-
demeanor here? You repel me reso-
lutely, you know" and his blue eyes
seemed to narrow under their sleepy
lids IF you do not thaw before long,
Miss Ravenel, shall be tempted to end
my unhappy days, as did the fair Mrs.
Hawkstone, of whom we were speaking
just now"
l pretended not to hear him, and
passed on up the stair to my own
chamber.
There l donned my outer garments,
and creeping out Of the house by a
side door, 1 started for the beach, to
find the sketch book which 1 had drop
ped there at the time of Bees mishap.
That book was one of my few treas
ures-I felt that 1 must recover 1t at
all hazards. hurried over the sand
dunes toward the Inlet. Night had fall
len, and a storm was rising. Wild
clouds raced across the haggard face of
the young moon: the surf roared on an
outer reef. Around the island a
schooner came gliding under short sail
to make a lee. heard the rattle of
a cable, and caught the gleam of an
anchor-light
On 1 went, till reached the Inlet.
There l searched everywhere, but could
not find my sketch-book. A cloud had
passed over the moon. knelt down,
in my eager anxious quest, cropping
with both hands along the wet shingle.
While doing this, heard an approach
ing step, and a man burst out Of the
forest path by the border of the creek
and almost stumbled over me. l start
ed to my feet, with my heart in my
throat.
Il beg your pardon!" he said; "are
you looking for anything"
Yes" 1 answered; for a book that
was dropped here this afternoon"
ALLOW me to restore it," and he held
out my missing treasure. Il picked it
up as l was crossing this beach an
hour ago"
looked up at him in the moonlight,
and became aware of two things-first,
that was standing in the presence of
an extraordinary person: next, that his
eyes had gone over me, like flash OF
hot summer lightning. Yes, an uncom-
mon person. certainly. with a profile
cut as if from gray stone. There was
a scar on one cheek. He had lordly
soldiery bearing-the look of one born
to authority and power. Before l could
gather voice to thank him, he said
quietly:
Il see; you are Miss Ravenel. Your
name is written in yOur book-I tooF
the liberty to read it there. Are SER
wants no longer employed at Tempes'
Hall. that you come alone to the Inle
at this hour"
l drew back. my heart beating fu-
riOusly.
There is nothing at Tempest Is
land" answered coldly, ITO harm any
one. at any time"
DO not believe it." he sneeret
fearful crimes have been committed
here. The trail of the serpent Is oveI
it ALL"
Then he lifted a voice like a bugle
and gave curious calI. II was an
swered somewhere from the wood, ant
that wild woman. Peg Patton cam'
running down the path and out upol
the beach. barefooted and with ret
handkerchief knotted over her gra!
hair.
What's your will, sir?" she cried
breathlessly; shall l row you back t
Whithaven? l can do 1t better thai
90 fhnr, oil,