Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-08-07
Bv ETA w. PIERCE.
j. j. j. j. + j. j. j. j. j. j. j. + + i

| DSSdH 10 Idll. All uOpSJ NY lhiS NiiiiS,
had been abandoned. Hiram Duff start
ed for distant town, to find the sher-
| iff Uncle Caleb went off across the
cliffs to Berry's grocery. The key of
the fishhouse was left hanging on a
nail behind the cottage door. Bess car
ried supper to the prisoner, gave him
few words Of encouragement, and
locked him up for the night Then she
returned to the cottage, and sat down
with Andy in the chimney corner.
Hardly had she done so when a
knock echoed on the door. All day Bess
had been anticipating evil-with night
fall, it was there? AS she looked out
into the porch she saw that it was full
of men.
where's Hiram Duff?" said one,
grufiy.
Gone to Nauset for the sheriff" re-
piled Bess.
And Caleb Hillyer?"
You will find him in the village"
She stood before them, bright and
fearless. The light in her hand shone
in her wide black eyes, and glanced
over the rich masses of her black hair.
I'VE want the key to the fishhouse
for a few minutes, miss" said another
man, in a wheedling tone. I'VE reckon
it's been left with you."
Yes" she answered; "it has been
left with me, and mean to keep it till
Hiram Duff comes back"
Look here, Bess." said the first
speaker, I'VE can't stop to parley.
We've got to have the key. Give it up
peaceable. We've a word to say to the
man that killed Rose Hillyer."
She snatched something from the
nail behind the door, and thrust it into
her pocket
What mischief are you plotting?"
she demanded. sternly.
He's got to tell what he did with
Rose" a voice answered, dosgedly.
"Sich a crime amt going unconfessed
on Cape Desolation! Your own cousin,
girl! Why, it's your plain duty to help
US what you can"
She drew herself up, like young
queen.
Men like you cannot tell me my
duty! Go home!" in a commanding
voice, everyone Of you, and leave Mr..
Hume to the law. say again, you can
not have the key"
Whats to hinder us from taking 1t
by force?" growled voice.
Wen break down the door," said
another; we're bound to get at him.
somehow"
She knew the men before her-hon-
est and law-abiding, but capable OF
reckless and cruel things under the
pressure of strong excitement They
believed Hume to be guilty. If moth
ing was done to prevent it, they would
certainly lay the fishhouse level with
the ground before Hiram Duff could
return. Her thoughts moved rapidly.
He's killed the girl, and now he's
got to own the truth" she heard some
one say. Hurry! we're losing precious
time. We don't want to hurt or fright
en- you, Bess Hillyer. but-you'd betv7r
give up the key!"
She seemed to waVer a little.
Wait here moment" she said, land
I'll consider the matter"
She darted into the living room, shut
the door, and snatched from the table
loaded revolver belonging to Duff.
She determined to reach the fishhouse
before the men, release Hume, and bid
him under cover of darkness fly for his
life.
Martha Bray, who had been private
ly listening to every word in the porch,
seized the arm Of her mistress, and
pointed to the rear of the cottage.
That way-quick!" she said, as
though comprehending the others plan.
The same spirit which had nerved the
sailor girl in the old days, on her IA
theirs quarter deck, flashed now in her
eyes. She paused just long enough to
say. GO into the porch, Martha, and
make some pretense of holding the
men there till can reach Mr.. Hume.
If they kill him, his blood will be on
our heads"
Then, with the pistol in her hand, she
vanished through the rear door OF the
cottage.
"Drat the cOwards!" muttered Martha
Bray. What do they mean by coming
here to scare lone wimmin folks? I'll
do the best | can, but it's not to be
supposed they'll listen long to me-"
She started valiantly for the porch.
Andy Gaff arose from the chimney cor
ner and followed Bess Hillyer
The latter was hardly across the lit
tie sandy garden when she became
aware that Martha Bray's attempt to
hold the men in the porch had resulted
in failure. She heard her own name
called by a half-doze voices. AS she
darted over the fence, and round the
fish flakes. an angry shout told her that
she was discovered. Like a deer she
| flew on and gained the fishhouse. But
| il was too late to release Hume. The
men were close at her heels. She barely
succeeded in setting her back against
the door when they rushed tumultu-
Ously upon her.
THE key-give up the KEY" they
cried. and a dozen hands seized upon
| her, roughly.
But the next instant something
strange and furious had charged upon
the men, scattering them left and right.
A blow planted betwiXt the eyes OF the
foremost laid him at BesS Hillyers
feet. Another and another were tum-
bled backward. as though smitten by a
thunderbolt. Andy Gaff, painting and
glaring, put himself betwiXt Dess and
her aSSailantS. However weak his wits
might be. Roses husband had scented
battle like a war horse, and taken sides
with wonderful promptness. The fish
ermen emphasized their astOnishment
by a retrOgrade movement.
THE fool" said one. He always
had good pair Of fists-brains or no
brains. he h'ain't forgot how to use
'em. Come. Bess Hillyer, Duff won't
blame you for giving up the key. You're
one woman against a dozen men-no-