Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-28
CHAPTER XIV.
The Letter.

wear no other l hope you may be aple
to get them. There is nothing nice tc
be had, you know, at Cape Desolation.'
Rose, nestled in old Caleb's armchair
was watching Bess, as the latter NOV
ed about the living room, making
ready for a walk.
Blue ribbons for that oily fish
house," replied Bess. Isn't that bi'
ridiculous, you vain little Rose! Come
with me to the village, and you car
make the purchase for yourself"
What! tramp two miles over the
rocks in this sun? Not T." And Rose
shuddered and closed her eyes-gener-
ally speaking, she was an indolent lit
tie thing. But suddenly a thought
struck her-stung her into quick life
Perhaps you will meet Mr.. Hume In
the village. Eve a half mind to go
1t would be so pleasant to see him
again-to have him walk home with
one over the cliffs. But no! l should
surely tire myself and then 1 might
not dance we'll tonight, and l want tc
do my best-I want to look my best
for Mr.. Hume has promised to come
to our dance. You need not frown
Bess. He must be a nice person, OF
Mr.. Harold would not have brought
him to the cove"
Rose" said the elder girl, gravely
you are foolish, thoughtless child
"Oh, don't stop to scold," laughed
Rose, but go at once, or you will be
late for dinner, and want you to fix
my dress, you know. l cannot bear to
touch needle myself. If you do meet
Mr.. Hume, tell him to be early at the
fishhouse tonight"
Bess Hillyer transfixed her cousin
with a look as she exclaimed:
Rose, don't forget to look after your
husband while I am away. He is
down on the wharf. 1t is hardly safe
for him to be wandering there alone.
Go at once and find him."
"Oh, yes-of course" answered Rose;
and as soon as Bess's step died in the
distance she lay back in old Caleb's
chair and fell asleep.
Meanwhile Bess was tramping off to-
ward the village with a free, elastic
tread. The salt wind blew in her face;
the sun, growing fervid as it approach
ed the meridian, beamed lovingly upon
her. She was a part Of the strong,
glad morning-a thing as buoyant and
full Of life as the gulls circling about
the little harbor, or the green waves
drenching the cliffs with wind blown
brine.
In the first turn of the road stood
the Hillyer tomb. Repairs thereon had
long ago been finished, and its iron
door sealed against all intruders.
There were reasons why Bess Hillyer,
strong as she was, always shuddered
now at sight Of that mortuary spot
and passed it with averted face. Ger
tain memories, more dreadful than
ashes of dead men, rose there to con-
front her. This morning, she turned
aside before reaching the tomb, and
with the solemn purpose Of avoiding IT,
left the highway for the wilder path
along the cliffs.
Once she stopped on a beetling head
land, and looked off upon the immensi-
ty of violet-green Atlantic. How she
loved 1t! Bess had entered life upon
the sea. The graves Of both father
and mother were in these beryl-tinted
CULTS. Again and again she had sailed
around the world with that same faith
er; his cabin had been the home OF
her childhood-his charts and COM
passes and books Of navigation the OBJ
iects Of her earliest interest Ship
wreck, hair breadth escapes and peril
Gus watches she had shared with him
had been his companion and helper al
ways.
"Bless the girl" Captain John Hill
YER had been wont to say. shes good
at everything-from sailing a ship 10
making her own little gowns"
AS Bess stood now, looking out on
the vast expanse Of waves, memories
of the old rowing days-the free, glad
life of her childhood rushed upon her
filled her eyes with tears. She thought
of that last dreadful voyage, when she
had brought the old ship, masterless
into port, and taken her small patri-
mony and her aching heart to Uncle
Caleb's cottage, there to abide, like
some bird whose flights were over
whose wings had been suddenly clip
ped.
Dear beautiful seal" murmured
Bess, kissing her hand to the long
leagues of sparkle and foam. Il have
loved YOU all my life-I shall love you
till 1 die"
Then she continued her tramp to the
village. .,
The ribbons desired by Rose were
found in a tiny shop kept in one OF
the cottages. after which Bess started
for the postoffice in Ira Berry's gro
Gerry.
somebody's a-writing to you from
Boston, Miss Hillyer." said Captain Ira;
and he passed her letter sealed with
q crest, and exhaling a faint odor oi
NlOleIS. IL DOl 2 NilV PN''NA''SN'AN - -
CITY he had mentioned. and was ad-
dressed in a strange hand to Elizabeth
Hillyer.
Ress took it with a thrill of curiosi-
~ She did not know-had never
known-a single person in Boston. As
he stepped from the grocery door, in
tent upon studying the writing on the
envelope. she came face to face will
lack Harold. He was red as a lobster
and decidedly out of breath-as though
he had been pursuing something from
afar
You are going home he stam
mered. Permit me to walk with you
Miss Hillyer"
Thank you-no." she answered IL
her plain. honest way. Il wish to o'
alone. l have received a letter, whicf
I am curious to read"
He looked disappointed.
'I will not speak word to disturb
YOU. Is your letter from very dea
friend?" with a ring of jealousy in nj
voice.
"I have no very dear friends. MI
1Iorold Dardon 7 fear Won would dis