Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-26
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CHAPTER III.
Gabriel RaVenel.
Rv ETA w. PIERCE.

CnllQ OF FHllip r1dWholOhC
tenants gathered in the hall, or outside
it, under the pouring midnight sky
Some one ran to the island church ana
tolled the bell-its doleful voice rang
out ,ominously through the storm he
was dead-murdered by the side OF his
bride-foully murdered in his sleep!
Salome, the southern nanny" ran
to Jetta and caught her in a pair OF
strong, sheltering arms.
Honey. honey! Fo' de Lords sake
what dreffie thing is dfs?" she cried.
Who's done gone and killed Marse
Philip? Oh, dar's blood on yo lily
hands, honey-wipe it off-fo' de love
O. heaven, wipe it off," catching the
delicate fingers that were, indeed,
dabbled with q fearful stain, and rub
bing them till the wedding-ring rolled
away, and was lost under the feet OF
the servants.
"I woke-I found him lying like
that" gasped the unfortunate bride,
II put out my hands
Her voice failed her. She fell back,
swooning, in Salome's arms.
They carried her to an adjoining
chamber, and left her With Salome.
Here a strange thing happened. The
old negress was slapping her mistress
hands, and bathing her face, when an
imperative rap sounded on a window
near by. Salome cautiously drew back
the curtain. Flattened against the
glass, she saw the hvid face of girl,
with a red rag Of a cloak flung over
her black hair.
Let me in!" she called.
Salome drew back the fastening and
raised the sash. Peg Patton sprang
into the chamber.
DE doors To- honest folks an de
window To- rogues," bristled Salome.
What yo' want hyar. gal? An what's
dat red streak down yo' face. Blood"
The old woman recoiled a step. Lord!
we've had 'nuff O. dat in Tempest Hall
tonight"
Peg Patton, turbulent, disheveled,
rubbed her hand across the stain.
II climbed the porch" she said,
hoarsely, "and the vines scratched me.
I couldn't get through the crowd in
side the house without being seen.
Look here. you black Niger, skip into
that closet there'-pointing savagely
to a door-"and let me speak to Mrs.
Hawkstone alone. She's coming to, /
see, and I've something to tell her pri-
vately."
Her fierce eyes were all blaze-she
had a desperately tragic look.
"Yo' Wildcat" cried Salome. scorn-
fully; what yo' got to say to my mis-
sus?"
Peg answered by seizing the negress
round the waist hurting her headlong
into the closet, and locking the door
upon her.
This high-handed proceeding took
Salome's breath for a moment, then
she put her ear to the crack Of the door
and began to listen.
Mrs. Hawkstone had revived. She
was rising up. Salome heard her cry
out-heard Pegs voice also, hurried
bat cautious.
"Tve come to tell you who killed
your husband, Mrs. Hawkstone," she
said. Let me speak quick or I shall
die"
An unintelligible murmur followed.
Strain her ears as she would. Salome
could not distinguished word Of it.
Suddenly a scream broke from Mrs.
Hawkstone.
"Oh. no, no! 1 cannot believe it. 1t
cannot be-" she cried.
You must believe it, madam! It's
Gods truth; but you're never to tell
whatever comes. you're never to tell
while you live-you must swear
that?"
Il swear it," answered Jetta Hawk
stone.
VERY we'll. You and 1 are partners
in this secret. Help me and I will help
you. hated you a few hours ago. but
that's over. You needn't stare, I'm
not so bad when you come to know
me. II we work together we can throw
these island idiots off the SCENT
The voice fell to whisper. Salome
heard no more and soon profound ST.
lence reigned in the room.
Honey" cried the old negress
pounding at last on the door; "let me
out, honey"
Jetta Hawkstone opened the closet
She was very pale, and shaking as II
with palsy. No other person was now
in the room. Peg Patton had gone
probably by the way that she came.
Gracious Lord! honey" burst ou
Salome, what dat limb O. ole Satar
want with yo'? Where she git da
bloodstreak on her cheek? In de porch
vines? Who's gwine to know dat
Mebbe she's had a han in dis nights
work"
Jetta Hawkstone snatched from 6
neighboring table a pocket Bible.
"Salome," she cried. in an awfu
voice, "go down on your knees ant
swear on this book that you will new.
er tell to living mortal how that gir
came here tonight. If anybody should
question you, swear that you will no
answer You will kill me II you an
swer, Salome! It must never be knowr
that I have seen Peg Patton, or talked
with her here, and you are the onl!
person who can betray u.s."
Salome peered into the white face o
her mistress, and found something
there which made her hold her breath
Down she fell on her knees, and tool
the oath and kissed the Book.
I'll never betray yo', honey-wilC
hosses sha'n't draw it fro me!" sh'
gasped. "Tll promise what yo' will
I'll do anything-say anything, to saw
yo', pore lamb Use ready to die fo
yo', chile-whatever yo has done, rs
ready"
Mrs. Hawkstone comprehendeC
something of what was passing in tn
ra0re oc' mind