Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-12-10
By Eta w. PIERCE.

for me, and me only. If you gave VI
some things for my sake, there arr
others, remember, that I also relin'
quished for yours"
Yes" she answered, mockingly
that black -browed Creole girl who lef
the island this morning."
"Nonsense!" he cried, sharply. "Yor
know what I mean-the approval oa
friends, and. in a measure, my own so.
cial position. But we will not talk fur
ther Of this matter-it is not to my
taste"
VERY WELL" she answered, indiffer-
emily, and urged Ali forward over the
gray slopes, her yellow hair streaming
like a torrent of raveled silk in the
salt seawind. The beast was all force
and fire, his rider all ease and plastic
beauty. In an immense grand field
some Of the island workmen looked VI
from their labors to stare at the new
island lady flashing by on that silver
white horse-the new island lady
about whom they already began to talk
In whispers-so soon do the secrets OF
the drawing-room become the gossip
Of the kitchen and stable-yard. Not
a man or woman Of the hundred de-
pendents Of the island but what knew
already that Basil Hawkstone had mar
III tGrne
circus-rider who hated the island and
all upon it.
Presently the welded pair passed
through barred gate, and emerged on
a great pasture, where thousand
sheep were cropping the short, sweet
grass. The whole flock made a rush
for the two riders, bleating joyful
welcome, and crowding close to the
horses in eager expectancy.
'T surmise," said Hawkstone. that
they are looking for the salt which the
herdsmen bring them. AS the horse
is the only animal that interests you,
Vera let us go on.
Again they dashed off across SCARED
hillsides and bleak moorland, their
beasts leaping watercourses and tus-
socks, and plunging through patches
Of dense forest, with the skill Of the is
land born horse. 1t was wild place
this kingdom Of the Hawkstones. The
Atlantic thundered roughly on Its
shores. Along the lonely beaches the
flsh-hawks screamed noisily from their
big, ugly nests. Some crows that had
come down from the wood for shore
refuse, circled, ill-omened, over the
heads Of the two riders. The sun had
disappeared, and over western head
land ranks of purple clouds were gath
ering rapidly for a storm.
II cannot imagine" chafed Vera
"how a person of your wealth and i'm
portance can live at Tempest Island
even for a day, Basil! What solitude!
what desolation! Oh, here comes the
rain! Whittier shall we go? do not
see house in any direction, and we
shall be drenched."
They had reached the low cliffs al
the entrance to Peg Inlet. She
checked Ali in the very shadow Of that
red, columnar rock called the "Old
Woman" Crack! went a peal OF
thunder overhead. A blue blaze OF
lightning filled their faces. Vera
screamed, and both horses began tc
prance. In a moment the tempest was
upon them.
you must come with me, Vera;
there's no help for it," muttered Hawk
stone "It is too late to reach the Hall
This way" And he turned Alis head
and the two flew into the forest path
leading up to Peg Pattons lonely
house.
Down came the rain in binding
sheets. Hawkstone snatched his wife
from the saddle and dashed into little
living room, where sat Peg Patton
with needle and mesh-block, mendine
nets.
Pardon our unceremonious entrance
Peggy" said Hawkstone. I'm this tenn
pest we had no choice but to thrus
ourselves upon you without asking"
She rose up, swarthy and grim, ant
flung her work into corner. Hel
brown feet were bare, and her big
arms also. Her scanty skirt revealed
her thick ankles. She looked like fe'
male Samson.
What a dreadful creature!" though
Vera Hakwstone.
Peg thrust forward some splint-bot
toned chairs for her guests.
you are welcome, MASTER" she said
simply, "and your wife also," fixing {
sharp eye on Vera. You have brough
pretty bird to your old-sea- nest, sir
Will she be torn, do you think, lik'
them that came before herr"
Heaven Forbid" muttered Hawk
stone.
Vera, with ner dark blue habit gath
cred about her, sat down, looking
around the quaint old room like al
amused child.
DO you live all alone in this quee
place?" she said to Peg.
Not altogether" answered Peg
calmly. THE sea comes up to the doc
and talks to me, and the woods ar
full of blackbirds and thrushes, not t
speak Of the fish-hawks that keep m
company from May to October"
Hawkstone was moving uneasill,
about the room. his tall head reaching
almost to the low rafters, his lordl,
step ringing on the sanded floor. TIL
pelting Of rain and the cracking o
thunder prohibited much conversation
Suddenly there was a crash that seem
ed to split the roof. AS 1t died ava
singular sound came creeping int
the room from some quarter near a
hand.
"Hark!" said Vera.
1t was a singular thread Of song ris
Ing abruptly and with piercing sweet
ness over the last rumbling OF tn
tempest-a woman's voice singing
lullaby to the accompaniment Of som
stringed instrument, and with such
L ,,tt 0f fttrn