Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-09-06
CHAPTER XII.
What He Said.


fore the fire in a fit Of querulous COM
plant
Seems to me 1 don't more than git
fairly settled in my mind about you'
Essie," she said, before something
new comes to rile me up again.
do not be jealous Of Mignon." an
swered Esther sadly. Il was fortunate
indeed, to encounter her today. we
have looked into each others hearts,
and, now we are sisters indeed, Aunt
Deb, and both you and l will be the
happier for having met Mignon."
The old woman began to sob In
weak, unnerved manner.
81 never want to see her again.
never want her to come here again!
she groaned. I'm a miserable, sintui
old woman, and some day you'll nate
me-you'n teach little Guy to hate me,
too"
"I teach my baby to hate you!'
echoed Esther, Indignantly; "how can
you talk like that, Aunt Deb? You are
quite tired out tonight. l must make
haste to give you your tea"
She fed little Guy and rocked him to
sleep; then she made the toast, and set
the tea sleeping. and the two sat down
to supper together.
The wind roared through the narrow
street outside, the snow fell thick
against the window. Aunt Deb put
down her cup to listen.
Seems to me l can hear the sea on
the rocks" she Quavered. Il wish we
were back to Porgy Island-you and l.
Essie-at Porgy Island out In the
ocean, where nobody could find u.s."
Esther shuddered.
Don't speak of it, Aunt Deb! l
think it would kill me to even see Por-
gy Island again."
They were just pushing back from
the table when the rickety wooden gate
slammed suddenly, and then the door
Of the cottage opened without ceremo-
ny, and on the threshold stood two
persons-Mignon, breathless but smil-
ing, and close behind her the square,
misshapen figure Of Abel Lispenard.
II did not think to return so soon,
Esther DEAR" Mignon began: "but my
husband insisted upon seeing you at
once. And" straightway attacking the
root Of the matter, ."he wants to make
the acquaintance of your Aunt Deb"
Aunt Deb staggered to her feet. Sup
porting her gaunt. trembling figure
against the table she glared at Abel
Lispenard. 1t was not the eXtraordi-
nary appearance Of the man that over
came her-evidently she did not notice
that. Her agitation proceeded from
some inward, not outward, cause.
Sir" she gasped, what wo you want
of me?"
Lispenard made the old woman
courteous bow.
81 came here tonight. madam" he
answered, ito pay my respects to my
sister, in law, and also to see the own
er Of that extraordinary name-Con-
cordia Tempest"
There it is again." cried Aunt Deb,
shrilly. That's what brought Guy
Fleetwood to Porgy Island. He wanted
to find the owner Of that name. l new
er heard it called extraordinary till
then. Whatever has got into folks?
The Canadians object was to steal
Esther away from us. Now, sir, what
Is yours?"
Lispenard smiled.
Pray sit down. Miss Tempest, and
permit me to do likewise. My only OBJ
ject Is to obtain your help in a search
which have been vainly pursuing for
nearly two years. Mr. Fleetwood's in
terest was centred in living person
mine solely concerns a vessel which
was built in the Maine port Of Barton
is so uncommon that 1 feel confident
there must be some connecting link
betwixt it's human wearer and the ship
that once carried it across the sea-
How did you know there was ever
such a ship" demanded Aunt Deb.
tremulously.
My one only sister and her infant
child made the voyage from Havre to
Boston on the ConcOrdia Tempest
many years ago. She was sick and
poor and friendless-her mind had
been affected by great sorrow. So far
as l can discover madame, she left
her child with some person on board
that ship-at least it was never heard
OF afterward."
Aunt Deb uttered a sharp cry.
chn sister,
Lispenard advanced eagerly toward
the paralytic.
"Ah, madame. you know the story,
them"
Neither Mignon nor Esther had
spoken a word. They simply stood
withdrawn from the other two. intent
ly listening. Aunt Deb fairly driven
to the wall, made a wild gesture, as II
casting off some heavy burden.
I've told Esse again and again
that l was a wicked old woman" she
sobbed; "and so ! am-sO l am! I'll
confess everything. sir-why should I
longer try to hide that which can't be
hidden? The ship Concordia Tempest
was built at Barton by my own father
when | was a little child, and named
for me. / remember her WE'LL re-
member the very day she was launch
ed" wringing her half-palsied hands.
for right after that father lost his
money and died, and mother married
Joe Runnel. and had little Drusie,
Jim Hart's first wife"
Esther and MignOn looked at each
other Both involuntarily took a step
nearer to the chair into which Aunt
Deb had fallen-a helpless, quaking
heap
Father Joe followed the sea, like
most men along the Maine coast" the
old woman went on. He was fore
mast hand for years: but after awhile
he got to be second mate aboard the
Concordia Tempest. Drusie was dead,
and Jim had gone west, leaving his
child fnr mo and Ea fher Toe IN hiring