Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-01-17


I've found from experience that it:
best to let her have her own way. Be-
sides, she knows how to manage the
secret door as we'll as do"
He gave searching glance around
the room, then put the candle in Pegs
hand.
Il see, MASTER" she said, sadly, "yor
doubted me-you thought I might be
hiding Miss Bee here. Can't you be-
lieve me when l tell you again that
haven't seen the child. and know moth
ing Of her? Won't you believe me fol
the sake of my past servlce?"
"Yes!" answered Hawkstone, Il can
i do believe you, Peg! Now come
and show me the way which that dark
thickset man took when he turned into
the wood"
She went with him in silence. The
salt tide was gurgling in the creek; the
brown leaves rustled down upon them
as they moved together under the
twisted pepperidge- trees. Peg point
ed to little path running away into
the deeper silence and darkness Of the
forest and Hawkstone nodded.
1T joins the island road" he said
"at the very spot where Miss Roke-
woods ponies took fright at some
strange movement in the thicket. Yes,
all is now quite plain to me, Peg"
Then he mounted his horse again
and rode away by the border of the
creek
He had small hope of finding there
any track of Bees abductors. The
incoming tide had been at work be-
fore him, and of course he was ignor-
ant Of the exact spot where the Whit
haven boat had waited for Mademois-
ellie Zephyr. Dark as it was, however
his keen eyes suddenly discovered
something swinging from low bough
near the entrance to the creek. 1t
was a sash of pale ribbon, worn, as he
remembered, by Bee when she started
with Miss Rokewood for the light
house. He slipped it into his pocket.
All was plain to him. indeed! Madame
Vera had with great success substitute
ed the aid of Jasper Hatton for that of
Gabriel Ravenel.
He went back to Tempest Hall to
await the return of the searching par
ty. He could not leave the island till
he had arranged certain affairs with
Harris, as it was difficult to tell how
long a chase Mademoiselle Zephyr
might lead him.
Jetta Ravenel and Miss Rokewood
stood waiting in the porch as Hawk
stone dismounted at the door.
mo news" he said, grimly, before
either could speak, Bee has been car
ried from the island. I shall start in
pursuit as soon as possible" Then
aside to Miss Ravenel, who leaned
white and cold against pillar of the
porch: II must see you alone before l
go-I have something to say to you"
She made a slight gesture Of ac-
uuiescence. Doris Rokewood follow
ed Hawkstone into the Hall. Her
Usually calm exterior was greatly ruf-
fed.
"Al this is very dreadful" she cried;
and my guardian is in a fever of anX-
iety because Bee was in my care when
she disappeared"
Have 1 not assured you that you are
in nowise accountable for the loss of
Bee?" he answered, sOothingly. Il
beg of you to cease reproaching your
self. Before many hours, shall re-
turn with the child"
The night was far spent before Har-
ris and the searching party came back
to Tempest Hall. They had found no
trace of Bee. After a long conversa-
ton with the overseer, Hawkstone or
dered Sampson and his catboat to
await him at the wharf. then snatched
a hasty breakfast alone, for neither
Miss Rokewood nor Jetta Ravenel ap-
peared at the meal, and repaired
straightway to the old library for a last
interview with the woman he loved.
After a brief delay, which seemed an
eternity to his furious impatience, Jet
Ia Ravenel entered with q slow, reluct-
ant step.
She was very pale-the dark shad-
ows under her eyes told that she had
not slept. He took her hand-it lay as
snow in his clasp. About her lovely
mobile lips were resOlute lines that
filed him with alarm.
Il see-you have been thinking oVel
our conversation of last night?" he
said.
Yes" she answered, and drew hel
hand significantly from him. my de-
termination remains unshaken."
You will not marry me, Jetta?"
NO"
And you can stand and say this
knowing that you are deliberately
putting a knife through my heart?"
There is knife in my own" she
answered, drawing shudderins
breath.
The pain, the pallor of her face, II
it's drift of dark rich hair, maddeneC
him. He tried to take her in his arms
She repulsed hlm-gently, indeed, bu
firmly.
You make 1t very hard for me- Ba'
sill" she faltered. 1T is Impossible
that l can ever know happiness, o.
peace Of conscience, as your wife
Spare me further words"
His iron gray eyes blazed with des
perate passion.
Every man will make a stand TO
this llfe!" he cried, bitterly. You ar
assaillng the very citadel Of mine!
will not live apart from you. Jetta, 70
can have no life apart. Your scru
pies shall not avail with me. You low
me- l love yOu-this is the only thing
worthy of our consideration"
"Oh. hush!" she implored.
NO you must hear me out. 1 an
free to marry you lawfully, and Meth
er Mademoiselle Zephyr, nor any Othe
living creature, shall hold us asundel