Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-01-10
CHAPTER XXI.
Jetta Speaks Again.


all the Internal nonsense going on about
the house of late. Pom my soul, you
look as pale as a spirit! Something is
troubling you; but your handsome eyes
begin to flash! You hate me too much
to accept my sympathy"
HIS voice trembled like schoolgirls.
The sight Of me had brought passion
of delight into his turbulent face. Who
else in the wide world cared for my
forlorn self like this?
II do not hate you. Vincent" l began.
You simply regard me with pro-
found indifference. Is that it?"
That rs it," l assented. sadly, "and
do not want any sympathy. thank you
Il need none. It's odd that you are
not with the tea party on the shore"
lis it?" he answered, grimly. L
found you were not among them, and
that was enough for me. You have
spoiled me for the society of other wo-
men. Great God!"-and a spasm OF
pain contracted his young face-"you
have spoiled me for everything, Jetta-
yes, for life itself"
How absurdly you talk" said. ut
is time you were cured Of your folly,
Vincent By what perversity do you
still hold to it? am ashamed of YOU!
He came nearer to me, breathing
hard.
Cured Of my folly? That will new
er be! Prince Lucifer, if he likes, can
drive me from the island, so 1 bride
my tongue that may be allowed to re-
main near you. You may need me-
who knows? Your brother
He stopped and bit his lip. 1 sprang
to my feet.
What do you mean?" cried. What
do you know of my brother?"
More than like to tell" he answer
ed. with an unpleasant smile. Show
me a little kindness. Jetta, and l will
serve both you and Gabriel, for, mark
you, know his present straits and his
need of help. Why cannot you love
me? Am 1 old? am 1 ugly? 1t is said
that love begets love, but were that
true. you would have returned my pas
sion long ago. Open your cold heart to
me, Jetta! / will forgive all past re-
bluffs. if only you can be persuaded to
extend me a little mercy now"
He was down on his knees in the
grass. his distracted face raised to
mine, his hands striving to clutch and
hold me as recoiled from him, all my
softened feelings giving place, in an in
slant, to renewed aversion.
DO not touch me!" l commanded;
do not speak to me any more. if you
have only this to say. OF one thing be
assured, Vincent Hawkstone-l shall
never buy any knowledge or service of
you at the price you mention"
He grew furious.
You may be glad to do so before
many days, Jetta! I perceive that
some spell is at work on this island.
Other women find Prince Lucifer ire
sistible-do you? Other women regard
him as a lawful and desirable catch in
the matrimonial field-dO you? He has
the art of dazzling your sex, of carry
ing all before him-dO you recognize
his power? Is 1t so? Come you shall
speak-I will know the whole TRUTHS
it so?"
He made an attempt to take me IN
his arms. 1 gave an involuntary cry
The next instant hand seized Vincent
Hawkstone by the shoulder, and whirl-
ed him round like top. The lord OF
the island stepped betwixt me and my
unwelcome suitor.
Vincent, this is going trifie too
far. is it not?" he said, sternly. you
vowed to me that you would not tor
ment Miss Ravenel further. Now that
YOU have broken your word, and out
ragged my forbearance, there's but one
thing more for you to do-go, and new
er set foot on Tempest Island again
without my permission"
Vincent faced his cousin with a
white, sinister look. He was cast out
and that by one more powerful than
himself.
Very we'll" he sneered; Il go, my
dear cousin, but some day l shall re-
turn, and then l, not you, will be the
master of Tempest Island
With this evil prophecy on his lips
he departed through the horseshoe
gate. l stood alone with HawkStone
How much he had heard of my CONVEX
sation with Vincent do not know.
TT was fortunate that l was sent
back to the house for extra wraps, ne
began, otherwise that foolish boy
might have given you serious trouble
He is incurable. it appears. and mus
pitv even while l condemn him." His
hand closed suddenly upon mine. y
remember your high courage years ago
Miss Ravenel-it cannot have deserted
alarm you, listen to no tales, and shorlo
YOU be in need of counsel and assist
ance. come to me-for my stepmother:
sake, come to me-"
His back was toward the gate. Be-
fore | could answer l was aware OF
stealthy movement in that direction
over me flashed a premonitiOn OF evil
I flung myself instinctively before
HawkstOne. None too soon. There wa:
y flash. a report-sOmething whistlet
by my ear. / felt his arm around me
l heard him cry out:
Great God, are you hurt?"
Il am not" l answered. and put m!
hand to my face, to find it wet witt
blood. The bullet had grazed my cheek
and neatly cut away long lock OF m!
hair.
Hawkstone put me down on the gar
den seat without another word, ant
dashed out Of the gate. After a littl
space. however he reappeared, empty
handed.
My Cousin Vincent could not leav
me without a parting token Of his re
gard" he said, dryly. Permit me t
keep this hair as a souvenir"
He carefully gathered up the severed