Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-12-17
CHAPTER XIII.
Jetta Still Speaks.

WnltnaNen, ana MIS- OIWdy anu
gathered up our wraps and bundles,
and descended from the train to meet
a grizzled old man who stood waiting
for us on the platform, and whom 1
recognized as Sampson, the skipper of
the yacht that comes and goes betwixt
Whithaven and Tempest Island.
by the great horn spoon!" he cried
at sight OF me. "here's the little south
ern gall Yes, 1 know you, miss
couldn't forget that pair OF eyes In
hurry! Going down to the island with
us?
Mrs. Otway answered for me.
Yes, Sampson, she has consented to
become Miss Bees governess. You
must look out for our luggage. Better
throw this shawl about your should
ers, Miss Ravenel-these sea- winds
will chill you to the marrow, even in
July"
Sampson took charge of the baggage,
and we went aboard the yacht. The
stuffy little hole called a cabin had no
attractions either for Mrs. Otway or
myself; so, wrapped in shawls, we sat
down on deck and watched the spires
and chimneys Of Whithaven recede, as
we went plunging out into the great
gray sea.
Old memories rushed upon me Of this
same journey, made as child with
Mrs. Hawkstone-of the unpleasant
things which had happened to me at
the Tempest; then I thought Of Ga
briel, and sadly reflected that he had
not interposed finger to save me from
returning to the spot that I so much
disliked. heaved an involuntary sigh.
My dear" said Mrs. Otway, kindly,
81 hope you are not homesick already"
l tried to smile, as l drew my wraps
closer about me. The wind was chilly
and salt. and the yacht flew before it
like a bird. 1 felt the spray on my
face.
Can one be very homesick who has
no home?" 1 answered Mrs. Otway,
you have lived your whole life on the
Tempest; will you tell me all that you
know about the arrest Of my father for
the murder of Philip Hawkstone?"
change passed over her quiet old
face.
Certainly. my dear" she answered,
gravely, and sitting there under the
straining canvas. with Tempest Island
growing out Of the pale, salty distance
before me, /, for the first time, heard
the whole affair in detail.
Mrs Otway," 1 said, when she had
finished her story, did you believe my
father guilty?"
"Yes-at the time," she answered, in
a low voice; but now-now l know he
was innocent"
Her tone carried conviction with it.
Thank God that I hear you say
that" 1 cried, drawing a breath of re-
lief.
A tear glistened on her wrinkled
cheek.
My dear" she said. gently, never
think of that dreadful matter again;
never speak Of II to any person on the
island. It is a subject which we most
carefully avoid"
The conversation ended, for the yacht
was sweeping up to the landing place.
Harris, the overseer, met US there-an
old man now, growing gray in the SER
vice Of the Hawkstones. He looked
dumbfounded when he was presented to
me.
Heaven above; has she come back
here-Gabriel Raveners daughter" I
heard him mutter.
We went up to the stone house. How
we'll l remembered the old sea-wall,
where the peacocks scream, and the
green slope of terraces. blazing now
with lilies and carnations? A wood fire
snapped in the ancient drawing room.
wondered if it had been burning there
ever since the morning was sent away
to school. 1 half expected to see that
yellow haired Vera Hawkstone frown-
ing at me from one end of the tiled
hearth: but in place of that the door
opened, and tiny figure, in white
frock and a silk sash. came limping in
to the room-my pupil Beatrice Hawk
stone.
She was a puny child slightly lame.
and very small for her seven years. She
crept shyly up to me, and l dropped
into a chair, and took her in my arms.
Miss Bee" said Mrs. Otway, this
lady is your governess-Miss Ravenel.
She has come to live at the island, and
teach you many things. You must be
very obedient and kind to her"
Il will: oh, yes, 1 will" assented
Bee, promptly, and then she added, in
doleful tone: I'm glad you've come,
Miss Ravenel. It's very lonesome here,
and I'm lame, and can't run on the
shore with the island children, and my
papa has been gone a long whie-so
long I'm sure he'll never come back"
"Oh. yes, he will" l answered. with
view to raising her spirits. He can
not be so hard hearted as to leave you
always lonely" And then kissed her,
and she returned the caress with in
terest. Plainly pupil and governess
will be good friends.
dined with Mrs. Otway and the
child. The old housekeeper is very in
dulgent to her young charge. Little
Bee enjoys her own sweet will to an
alarming extent. When the meal was
done a nursemaid carried the child
away, and shortly after, l, fatigued
with my journey, retired to the room
that had been assigned me.
1t was the Cedar Chamber. where
Mrs. Hawkstone had breathed her last.
Repairs were going on in the house,
and 1t was necessary that l should ac-
cept this sleeping place for the night.
NO one has occupied the room since
Mrs. Hawkstone's DEATH" said the
housekeeper who conducted me to the
door. IF you feel at all timid or ner-
vous. my dear. come and share my
bed"
Rut 7 answered. smiling 81 am quite