Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-11
CHAPTER XXXVI.
In the Tomb.

In the Tomb.
In mist and storm dawned Basil
Hawkstone's burial-day.
The brown leaves lay in sodden heaps
IT Peg Pattons barred door-a vail OF
fog hid woods and rainy creek. In
side the house little Bee and Jetta Ra-
venel sat by Pegs fire, one weeping in
childish abandon, the other fearless as
stone.
In some way, by some means.
must leave the island tonight" said
Miss Ravenel to Peg, "and take Sarah
and the child with me-"
II can row you over to WhithaVen
myself" answered Peg: that Is. If l
can find a boat. What will you do
when you get to the mainland, miss?"
Go first to Basil Hawkstone's law
yer and lay Bees case before him, and
demand justice and protection for the
child"
Right. In Vincents hands her life
is not worth a rush. He wants her
share of the Hawkstone fortune as well
as his own"
Then" unused Jetta, drearily, Il Will
fare back to Madame Moreau's school,
and there seek a situation as teacher.
Bee shall go with me-we will never be
parted again." and she strained the
weeping child to her side. But first of
all, help US to escape from Tempest In
and, Peggy-this is our pressing. our
immediate need"
True enough" growled Peg. Il
shall not be able to protect you long,
n spite of the shotgun and the strong
door, Vincent Hawkstone knows MS
own power and our weakness take 1t
that's the reason he doesn't level the
house at once Yes, you and the child
must go, and Sarah with you. The fog
IS in our favor-it will help to hide us.
But we must wait till the burial is over
for with all the people out on the is
land we would run great risks of be-
ing seen and intercepted"
The afternoon was fast waning when,
through fog and rain, the muffied sound
Of a funeral bell reached the anxious
women in the Inlet House.
One by one it tolled the years Of Ba-
sill Hawkstone's life. Bee buried her
small, wan face in Jetta's lap. Sarah
threw her apron over her head and Sob
bed. Miss Ravenel, dumb and white,
listened, and gave no sign that every
clang of that brazen clapper was like
knife turning in her heart.
Miss Ravenel," said little Bee
must 1 go away without seeing papa
once more? If Sarah could hide me
somewhere-so that Vincent would not
know-and let me look at him for just
one minute, l would be content"
Jetta pressed the child closer.
The night that your papa died" she
shuddered, II stole up to the Hall after
Sarah had brought me the dreadful
news. l tried to catch glimpse OF
him through the library window, but
but somebody frightened me away
Oh. my dear, you have spoken the de-
sire of my own heart. We Will see
him." with sudden resolution-"we
could not leave Tempest Island with
out that last poor comfort. We Will
surely look on Basil Hawkstone's face
before we go"
IF you attempt that" said Peg,
warningly. lit will be at great peril to
yourself"
we will do it because we must Peg
gy," answered Jetta, mournfully, and
the brown woman said no more.
AS darkness fell, Miss Ravenel DON
ned her outer garments; Sarah pre-
pared a bundle of necessities, and
dressed Bee for a journey; Peg slipped
on a dreadnaught coat, and tied a
mans tarpaulin over her ears; then a
lantern was lighted. the Goals raked to-
gether on the hearth. the lamp eXtin-
guished and the little company went
out and left the Inlet House deserted in
the darkness.
Into the forest they plunged. Sarah
hlQlnS the lantern uIluSl iiVi '7''''"'
and Peg bearing Bee in her stout
arms. The cold mist hung heavy on
the dunes. the sea roared at the foot OF
the low cliffs.
Jetta turned her face toward the is
land churchyard, and the others fol-
| lowed:
Il am going to the Hawkstone tomb.
said the girl.
so 1 suspected" answered Peg, dry
| ly; but first l must get the key foi
you"
From the church-gate Tempest Hal
could be seen through the mist. all its
lower windows blazing with light. rs
if for some festival.
Mr.. Vincent is having a jubilee,
should say" muttered Sarah. "Oh, lOr'
how scandalous, and the poor master
buried only just before sunset"
On the opposite side Of the road stood
Joe Derby's cottage.
You wait here a bit till | go ant
speak to joe" said Peg.