Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-06-28
the tower afore morning." said Aunt

the tower afore morning." said Aunt
Deb.
Like enough we SHALL" assented
gran'ther, cheerfully. like enough the
sharks will be a-feeding on US all
'twixt now and sunrise. There's moth
ing, as I can see, to hinder the whole
place from being washed away"
In spite Of this prospect, Aunt Deb
set forth a supper Of broiled bacon and
potatoes, Of which our unbidden guest
partook sparingly. During the meal,
while talking with gran'ther, he
chanced to call him "Mr. Hart" Gram
ther made haste to correct the error.
my name Is Joe Runnel, sir" he
said. Hart belongs only to Essie. Her
mother was my darter; Deb here Is
my stepdarter-the child Of my wife
by a first marriage. We're a sort Of
mixed up lot. Each of us answers to a
different name"
Mr.. Fleetwood showed no particular
interest in our family-tree. Supper
over, the trio gathered around the fire.
Crippled gran'ther began to Groom over
some wild tales Of shipwreck and dis
aster. did not join them. My place
was up in the tower with the light. 1
slipped into the passage, donned my
dreadnaught, took up my lantern. and
stepped out upon the bridge which con-
meets the house with the tower.
Here a terrific blast nearly swept me
off my feet. My lantern went out,
leaving me in utter darkness. I clung
blindly to the iron railing, over
which the sea was hurting its foam and
slippery spray. At the same moment,
a hand, strong, but cold as ice, closed
around mine-took possession Of me,
suddenly, resolutely. He was there at
my side. in the deep darkness, trying
to shield me with his own body. A
second gust dashed US both against
the wall Of the tower
go back!" 1 gasped.
"Impossible!" he answered.
And so, through the thunderous
riot, the pitch-black night, we CROPPED
up the steep ladders, through narrow
open traps, to the light, his hold upon
me Tightening all the way. There, at
the top of the tall tower, We stood, at
last, revealed to each other. He was
as pale as the dead.
you told me never to come to the
island again." he said. II knew that
I ought to obey you. Duty to my moth
er, honor, everything called me to Can
ada, but I could not go. For days
have been over there at Cinderville,
fighting as hard battle with self as
man ever fought. And here / stand,
Esther. ignominiously conquered! /
would have come to this rock tonight
IL a legion Of demons had stood in my
way-if death itself had been the PEN
altyl 1 love you against my own will,
and in defiance Of ali sound reason and
good judgment. Oh, you sorceress!"
He opened his arms with a great cry,
Can you-will you love me?"
A wild thrill Of Joy went through me,
but swift upon it followed a shudder-
ing dread Perhaps I am superstitious
by nature. At any rate, the dreary
place. the night, the black, shrieking
storm, filled me with a sudden strange
terror. Across the glass of the high,
wind rocked tower a legion Of demon
voices seemed screaming, "Beware!"
staggered back a step and covered
my face.
"Esther!"
He snatched me to his heart. His
lips pressed mine.
Speak" he urged; do you love
me?"
"Yes," 1 answered, solemnly, 81 love
you: but something tells me it Is a
love which will bring us nothing but
sorrow, despair and death!"
To Be Continued.