Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-08
CHAPTER CONTINUED.

that Mehitable wondered. TWO Gays
passed. The third dawned, wet anc
dreary. Sister Sarah, our old henwife
had fallen i'll Of rheumatism and Me-
hitable and were sent in her stead tc
look after the poultry.
The henhouse stood under hill
near the border of the lake. 1 lighted
q fire beneath an iron pot, in which
Mehitable had placed a great mess OF
meal and potatoes for the fowls, and
together we fed and counted the noisy
broods.
The old gray turkeys not here!"
cried Mehitable, suddenly; that un-
gracious bird is always on the go
She's got six little ones with her. You
must find them, Esther. Even II the
hawks don't gobble them up they'll be
drenched in this rain, and a wet tur-
key willis like rag"
left her in the long. low house and
hurried off in search Of the missing
brood. Here. there and everywhere
looked, but found it not. A great de-
DTeSSlOn ONSI llC Do "SAAS N--'
How I hated this dull, monotonous life!
How the shadow of these changeless
hills pressed upon my heart! wish
ed myself at the bottom of the lake.
/ wished that l had died with my
mother. 1t was frightful to think OF
living to Mehitable's age-seventy
years-in this place. I sat down upon
a stone under the garden wall, forget
ting the turkeys, forgetting everything
in my own misery, and, as 1 did So
man came hurriedly out from among
the beet and onion beds and stood by
my side.
sister Esther, why do you waste
your time in vain imaginings?" de-
manded the voice of Brother Silas-
'.longings after the fleshpots Of Egypt
the vanities Of the world? You need
not deny it-you are not a true daugh-
ter of Mother Ann-you are not even
q believer. You must be watched.
There is no love for the brethren and
sisters in your heart"
1 leaped to my feet. I was very an
gry; but l would have turned from
him without a word, had he not caught
me by my gown. .
Release mel" I cried.
Nay, not till you hear me, Esther.
You want to go out into the world,
where men will see and praise your
beauty. You want to leave this godly
life. 1 can read you like an open
book. You are no Shakeress. Do you
think I could endure your loss and live
on here without you? Nay! My very
soul cleaves to you. l agonize over
you in spirit. You have drawn all my
thoughts from heaven. loved the
creed until I began TO look at you.
Now l, too, hate 1t. Your beauty has
cost me my soul"
With a wild light in his deep-set
eyes, he bent my head backward and
kissed me fiercely, suddenly, on the
lips.
Shall I ever forget the fear, the
shame, the horror, the wrath of that
moment? l was young and strong.
wrenched myself free and flung him
from me so violently that he reeled
and fell in the long grass.
II wish I could kill you!" 1 hissed,
and then turned and fled down the
hill, through the orchard trees, sink
ing, at last, under the willows by the
lake. with my breath coming in gasps
and the angry tears drenching my
white face.
At that instant determination as
strong as death leaped into life within
me. / would leave the community
how. / did not know-but l would do
ii, and at once! tossed off the hide
Gus Shaker bonnet from my head and
the stiff muslin cap. l was a Shaker
ess no more-I would never be one
again: and even as l said these words
to myself the willows were thrust
aside, some one bent over me and lift
ed the face which l had hidden on my
knees.
My dear child" said the voice of
Hallam Kirke, what is the matter!
You are crying"
Yes there he stood. close by my side
looking down upon me with perplexed
eyes.
Il am going away" l cried, wildly
Il shall die if stay here longer
Going away-whither?"
wrung my brown. childish hands.
40 "a
BE calm and tell me what you mean
tell me as you would tell brother
Who has been troubling you?"
did not hesitate moment. This
man-this stranger seemed to me the
only friend that l had in the whole
world. l told him everything as fast
as my tongue could utter the words.
Il am going away" 1 repeated. u
loathe Brother Silas! l will not longer
breathe the same air with him. l car
earn my living somehow-somewhere
in the world. At any rate, l will not
stay here"
II wish to heaven that could choke
Brother Silas!" said my companion
between MS tSelIl. E<SlneI. lie !lllcC
my dropping chin, look me in the face
and tell me If you can trust me?"
1 raised my wet eyes. All, what g
face it was-young and strong ant
beautiful, all aglow. too, with deep pity
and Indignation.
Trust you? Yea!" l answered.
Dare you place yourself entirely il
my hands,"
"YeaI"
He grew very grave.
You precious little girl! Reverently
sClemnly 1 say it, may God deal b!
me as / deal by you! 1 am not per
son much given to unselfish deeds;
do not remember that l ever before at
tempted the role of benefactor. but yo'
need help, and, by my soul, you shal
have it! Now listen: 1 will take yo'
from this place at once. l will put yo'
at q school where you will be educated