Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-08-07

She drew the revolver from beneath
her shawl, and leveled it at the head
of the speaker.
IF you come a step nearer to this
door," she said, you are a dead man!
Duff left me in charge Of the prisoner
He cannot defend himself, and it re-
mains for me to see that you do him
no violence. This weapon is good for
six lives, and know how to use it."
A lantern carried in the crowd flash
ed on her cool, resolute face, and along
the shining barrel Of the pistol. Andy
was watching her, as though her supe-
rior intelligence had somehow obtained
la momentary mastery over him. The
men stood sullen and uncertain.
knock the idjit down and disarm
the girl" somebody shouted. Shame
on us, to stop before such pair!"
A smart rush was made upon Bess
and her one defender 1t was inter-
rupted by cry from an unexpected
quarter. Down the path from Caleb's
cottage two or three figures appeared,
running briskly, talking excitedly.
Halo! Hallo!" cried the voice Of
Hiram Duff. Don't you go to do no
mischief there, boys! We've got news!"
The angry men fell back. Bess
dropped the pistol. At Duff's shoulder
followed Martha Bray and Caleb Hill
yer-the latter was waving some white
object over his head.
Here's word from Rose herself" he
shouted. "She's alive! This ere letter
came in the mail tonight. Ira Berry,
he screeched when he took 1t from the
bag. He knew Roses writing. I've run
over the cliffs faster than l ever did
afore in my whole life. Here, Bess,
it's directed to you. Open and read 1t
to 'em all.
The lantern was brought forward.
Yes" murmured Bess in a sort Of
troubled amazement: 'it is Roses own
writing-there can be no mistake"
Surrounded now by eager faces, she
tore open the envelope and read as fol-
lows:
Don't blame Mr. Hume for the
accident of yesterday. I am glad
everything happened just as it did. l
was picked up before any harm came
to me. and l am now safe and well.
Uncle Caleb will find his boat moored
at Fleethaven-at which place this
letter will be posted: but it is quite
useless for him, or any other person, to
look for me there. I have covered
my flight so thoroughly that none of
you can uncover it. Do not try to
find me. When you receive this
shall be far away-far beyond your
reach. A new home has been offered
me, and new friends. / cannot tell
you more, but / am happy-happy.
Remember, Bess, all my past discon-
tent. You. at least. know how have
longed for some door of escape to
open to mellow 7 hate the cove,
and everything there. I took upon
yesterday as the most fortunate day
of my whole life. I would not return
to you for the world. AS for Andy
do with him as you will shall new
er see him again. All, Bess, you are
wicked 1t is you who deserve the
good fortune upon which 7 have
stumbled: but since it has fallen to
me-forgive me, and goodbye.
Your loving
Rose.
"P. S-If Mr.. Hume has not been
seen since yesterday, rest assured he
was drowned while rowing with me"
Bess Hillyer turned to the men. She
was very pale, and her voice shook
little, as she said:
you see that the story told by Mr..
Hume was true in every particular
You ought to thank God that you have
been prevented from doing him harm
tonight"
She put the fishhouse key, for which
such sharp contest had been made, in
Hiram Duff's hand.
Release Mr.. Hume at once" she
said. Il want to show him this letter"
Then she ran to old Caleb, and flung
both arms around his neck. "Oh," she
sobbed: for a long time l have felt
that something like this was coming
upon us! Rose hated her home. OF
her own will she has fed, Uncle Caleb
-gone-nobody can tell whittier, and
know she will never, never come
hackl"