Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-07
CHAPTER XXXIV
Bad Tidings,

left Vincent Hawkstone securely ooun'
on the floor Of the library, Peg Patton
with the stride of victor, started oaci
to the Inlet House.
At the landing place she foun'
Sampson ready to hoist sail for Whit
haven.
Remember, Sampson!" said Peg
"either you find Hawkstone, or yol
telegraph this whole business to him
Help of some sort we must surely have
by sunset, man."
And help I'll bring you, or m!
names not Sampson" answered the OLE
boatnan, cheerfully.
With that he went dancing OF
across the blue water Peg stood anC
watched the catboat for space, ther
hurried away over the dunes.
Before she had reached the entrance
to the Inlet, black cloud, with edges
of livid purple, arose suddenly anC
overspread the sun. A terrific squai
of wind and rain swooped down upor
the island, and sent the sea flying be-
fore it in foamcrests mountain high
Peg was glad to take refuge in the le'
of the "Old Woman" where she wait
ed while the rending, roaring tempes
darkened the earth, and shook the taW'
nv woods, and filled her stout hear
with mortal fear for the safety Of the
catboat.
In vain her hawk-eyes searched the
watery distance Wild, swirling foam
a blur of binding rain, shut out the
view. Well, Sampson was good sail
or-the best on the island. He coulc
be trusted TO manage boat anywhere
With this comforting reflection, Pes
trudged on into the woods, in happy ig'
norance that the catboat had even ther
capsized in the gale and the old boat
man Sampson would never again beal
tidings, evil or good. from Tempest Is
land to the mainland.
By the time Peg reached her owr
door the brief tempest was subsiding.
She told Jetta Ravenel all that hac
transpired at the Hall. and that mes
senger had been sent to bring aid from
the mainland.
I've fixed matters with Vincent
Hawkstone,". she said, .grimly. Hell
not be likely to do any more mischlel
before the master comes.
Jetta Ravenel looked up with an un-
speakabIe dread in her great dark eyes
And when he comes" she shuddered
II must see him-I must stand face tc
face with him-God pity me-"
Peg answered nothing. She was more
troubled at heart than she cared t
confess. She went about. intent upor
the comfort of her guest, but keeping
n sharp lookout on the approaches tc
the house.
AS the afternoon shadows began tt
lengthen, a boat glided into the creek
and two men brought to the threshold
a wooden box, which was carried
straightway down the passage to the
room where Hawkstone's dead mother
lay.
In the box was a plain casket, COW
cred with black cloth, and in this, Peg
with gentle. reverent hands, laid the
frail, white body
Now she is ready for her grave
said the brown woman to Jetta Raven
ell. If Sampson does his errand Alright
we will bury her tonight. 1 have
PRAYER book here, and her son will reat
the service over her"
Twilight gathered. The woods
about the creek were growing dark
when some one came running up th'
forest path, and burst, pale and fright
ened, into the Inlet House. 1t was Sa
rah.
Mrs Otway sent me to tell you" sh'
gasped, Simpsons drowned! His boa
has drifted in empty. And, oh, dear
oh. dear! Joe Derby-drat him!-wen
and cut Mr.. Vincent's ropes, and lie
him loose, and now we're worst Off thai
before, for what did the young upstar
do but go out with that dreadful Jo
and smash all the island boats but one
and that he took and started for whit
haven-to keep master from coming
back to us, we think! He left Joe IL
see how the traitor is going On-order
ing US all right and left, and not let
ting a soul leave the house. I've beel
watching long time to get I'M
chance to slip away to you"
Then the girl flew to Jetta Ravene
and kissed her hands, and broke int
lamentation over the dark days Whic
had fallen on Tempest Island.
Peg stood scOwling ominously.
Joe Derby let him loose, did he?
she muttered. Il wish l had my han
on Joe's windpipe! He wouldn't pla
the traitor again in a hurry! Well, g
back to Mrs. Otway, Sarah, and te
her not to worry about us; I've arm
in the house. and powder and shot, an
ri be bound l can take care of Mis-
Ravenel for a while"
Sarah went, and Peg Patton close
her shutters, bOlted and barred he
strong door, heaped her hearth hig
with driftwood, lighted her cob pipe
and sat down with Jetta Ravenel t
watch
Hour after hour went by. Midnigh
was at hand. Jetta's shining head ha
fallen against the jamb Of the fireplac'
her eyelids were growing heavy, whe
suddenly a strange sound came echoin
down through the woods to the lone
some creek, and into the room wher
the two women kept dreary vigil.
was the tolling of a bell!
Pegs pipe dropped from her moutl
She started and listened.
Separate, slow. solemn-stroke fo
lowed stroke with heavy inslstence.
Heaven above!" cried the brow
woman: that's the bell Of the church
1t never tolls but for some disaster
the Hawkstones!"
Jetta sprang up, with her hand q
her heart.
Disaster to the HawkstOnes!" 81
echoed, with whitening lips, and ST
Gov