Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-27
HERON'S WIFE.

By Eta w. PIERCE.

Il
ply jesting."
mot at all. The half has not been
told! In me you see the girl Of the
period, with all her follies. When
think Of you, Mr.. Vivian, in the days
to come, I shall wonder II you have
not met some nice, gentle Priscilla
among the colonists of those South
African towns, and found in her your
fate-no frivolous, worldly creature,
you know, but a sweet and sanity be-
ing, worthy to share such life as
you have marked out for yourself"
At her mockery Graham Vivian's
handsome face changed.
81 shall never marry" he answered,
in a cold, constrained voice.
"Oh, you have High Church tenden-
cies?''
mot at all. My future abounds In
hardship, Could I ask woman to
share it? Heaven Forbid"
She had drawn off her gloves, and
was dabbling one hand in the water
over the boats side. The jewels on the
white fingers sparkled softly in the
moonlight.
"All women are not selfish and shall
low. It is just possible, is 1t not, that
some one-some one-might be quite
willinp to share your hardship? Such
things have occurred in the past, you
| knoW!"
They had reached the arch of the
bridge, and were slipping under 1t.
All the purple silence of the night was
upon them-all the charm Of wander
ing winds and shining, unquiet waters.
The mysterious night-world of min
gled light and shadow seemed fashion
ed for them alone.
TT is plain that you know nothing
of my family history, Miss Pole" said
Vivian, in an agitated voice. Il dare
say. Heron could not bring himself to
speak Of 1t openly while remained his
guest 1 will offer to no woman that
which is unfit for her acceptance
mean the name I bear! 1t is covered
with disgrace, and as yet I have done
nothing to wipe out its stains. Years
ago, I vowed to expiate, so far as pos
sible, in my own person, the misdeeds
of one very near Of kin-to give my
self to the highest and best interests
of the world, as some slight atonement
for the evil which that other had
wrought in his day." His face looked
strangely boyish in its pallor and pain.
81 cannot speak palmer, Miss Pole-l
cannot shock-horrify you with the
story"
Fora moment or two the splash Of
the oars was the only sound that broke
the stiffness. Her eyes shone softly
upon him through the dusk.
Pray do not say another word" she
murmured, remorsefully. Il did not
mean to lead you to speak of anything
unpleasant"
She put out her hand. Satin-soft,
shining with jewels, 1t fell into his
own, like a lily a-gleam with dew.
AS palm touched palm, she felt him
tremble, suddenly, violently-this man
whom all women admired, and who
had never looked twice at any. For
the first time, Sergia Pole OWNED her
own power. Her heart gave mad
leap. 1t was pleasant to discover that,
with all his solemn ambitions, his self
immolation, he was only man!
| II did not mind the unpleasant
things" he said, It'll came to Heron
croft-till l saw you. I must go away
as soon as possible-a month earlier,
at least than 1 first intended. God
knows" his voice sinking low, 1T
would have been better for me If had
never seen this place!"
How fiattering to the friends you
have made here!" answered Sergia,
with lively reproach. Think of the
good you have accomplished at Black
River, Mr.. Vivian. Not all the Black
birds are like Joe Bagley-many Of
them are devotedly attached to you.
You ought"-with an arch smile-"you
really ought to regret that you must
leave Heroncroft at ALL"
And 1 do do" he confessed, pas
sionately: Il dare not tell you how
much! 1t is the. hardest thing in life
for me to tear myself from this spot
And yeti
And yet?" she echoed, softly, as he
paused.
If l remain here longer, / am lost!'
She made a little movement which
shook the red roses suddenly from her
bodice to the bottom of the boat. He
picked them up.
Let me keep these" he implored, in
a shaken voice.
She shrugged her shining shoulders
Poor faded things! Colonel Rivers
gave them to me at dinner. Yes, keep
them, If you like; they may serve to
remind you of this night and-me!"
II need no reminders" he answered,
simply, "since it is impossible for me
to forget either. But l would like to
possess something that you have touch
ed-that you have worn!" and he slip
ped the roses into his breast.
The boat drew near to the landing
place-grated against the green river
bank. Ine moonlight tete-d-lSte was
over She had tried her wiles upon
him with good success, and now she
arose, tall, smiling, beautiful, and
stepped ashore.
Goodnight, little boat" she said,
sweetly; goodnight, beautiful river;
shall I ever see you again in so fair
: a guise?"
Then she turned to climb the dew
wet bank. In the very act her foot
stumbled amid the green things trail
ing there. She swayed, and as Vivian
stretched out an arm to support her,
her soft, supple body fell prone against
him-yea, upon his very heart-shin-
ing dress and perfumed hair, and all
the warm white loveliness of throb-
: bing throat and arms half barred.
Against his breast she lay for one de-
! lirious moment-a marvellous white
nesting creature, breathing out her