Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-23

| Il stopped TO par tne gate, sir, sh
said to Heron; "the mob Is on the rive
road, and Joe Bagley is leading it,"
my poor girl" said Heron, coolly
that gate was not made to Withstand
the assault Of a mob-it will not keel
back the rascals a moment. They ar
coming to burn the Mills, eh? Tn
old tragedy Of my fathers time is t
be repeated?"
Vivian had drawn Sergia Pole int
the nearest chair. She was very pale
but she smiled bravely into his anx
ious face.
1--WE have not even a vinaigrette II
offer you," he said.
'T need none-I shall recover m!
breath in a moment"
did you leave the coloners dinnel
table"-glancing at her rich dress
ito bring the tidings?"
"Yes. In some way Jael discovered
the strikers plans, and told them t
me. Unseen, we ran down through th'
garden to Heroncroft-you were no
there. We determined to look for yol
at the Mills. What will you do, Mr.
Vivian?-what can you do?" claspins
her gloyed hands in nervous terror-al
1.-THE serenity Of her manner suddenly
broken up.
"Do?" echoed Vivian, cheerfully
why, defend you, ourselves and the
Mills. Your presence here complicates
matters little, you see."
Joe Bagley will do you harm If M
can. Your danger Is quite as great as
Herons. You must escape by the riv'
er, Mr.. Vivian, or-or-any way! Only
fly, and at once!"
| He tried to repress a smile.
you don't mean that, Miss Pole
You have shown great courage by
coming here tonight. In the face Of
such an example, the weakest coward
could not run away"
"The Blackbirds will kill you," she
said, family; they will kill Francis"-
81 think not. You must go upstairs
with your maid, out Of harms reach
Bruce the watchman will stand guarc
over you."
She looked at him in pale reproach
I'VE will not leave you!" she answer.
ed, with spirit; 1--WE will share your
peril, whatever form it may take
There was no time for another word
From the river road approached con-
fused murmur, as Of many voices
mingled with the tramp, tramp Of
| many feet. The noise drew nearer and
nearer. The little group in the mil
heard a hoarse shout:
Down with the gate!"
And the poor barrier which Jael hae
stopped to bar crashed from its hinges;
the sinister glare of lighted torch
was suddenly reflected on the wall Of
the counting room, above Sergia Poles
blonde head.
"Our friends have arrived" said He
ron, and even as he spoke the strikers
poured into the yard Of the mill, shout
ing, swearing, gesticulating-a disor-
dered, mischievous looking lot, led by
Joe Bagley.
Down a neighboring stair stumbled
Bruce the watchman, with his lantern
in hand.
In Gods name, Mr.. Heron, do yor
know what's going on?" cried the ole
man.
| Heron made a dash for the door.
81 will soon find out" he answered
calmly. "Stay here, Bruce, and looF
after Miss Pole and her maid"
Don't think Of u.s." implored Ser
gia. Il dare say you are wishing US
far enough away just now, but I prom
ise that we will not hamper youl
movements nor ask your protection"
Crash!
A volley of stones struck the Win
dows of the counting room, and the
shattered glass flew in all directions.
Vivian seized Miss Pole and drew
her into an adjoining passage.
Here you are safe for a few mo-
ments, at least" he said, hurriedly
'and 1 will return to you as soon as
possible"
The next moment he was standing
with Heron in the open door OF the
mill, looking out on the turbulent
crowd.
There was a moment Of silence
the calm that precedes the storm
Then Heron, small, lean as a wolf
insignificant, yet wearing the dignity
of a born gentleman, called, in an un'
moved voice:
well, boys, what do you want
here?"
Joe Bagley stepped to the front. Ht
was flushed with drink. bare-headed
disheveled. He looked the aggressive
ruffian to perfection.
I'VE want our rights, boss" he an
swered, bristling with hostility
you've been asked to increase th'
wages Of the men, and you've refused
That's enough. Your Mills have go
to go,"
Where" demanded Heron.
The Blackbird named a place no
| mentionable to ears polite.
Blood and bones! We've come Il
wipe 'em out tonight" cried Mr.. Bag
ley. you made a mistake in rebuild
ing 'em They've stood blamed sigh
longer than was agreeable to som'
eyes at Black River-my own, for In
stance. Heron's Mills must burn agai1
there's the whole story for you
boss!"
AS he looked down from his post IL
the door upon the heads surging up t
meet him. Heron espied pile of com
bustible rubbish already gathered un
der the wall of the mill. One Of tn
strikers thrust lighted torch into tn
heap. A red jet of flame leaped hiss
| ing from its heart. Without word
Heron sprang from his place and crap
pied with the incendiary.
In the struggle for the possession
of the torch, storms of sparks fell, lik
redhot stars, on both heads. Out wen
the blazing brand in darkness, JUS
as Graham Vivian scattered the rub
i b;cb bean in all directions and stamp