Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-18

Vivian spoke to her words Of hope and
comfort-words of solemn joy:
81 am the Resurrection and the Life,
saith the Lord. He that believeth on
Me, though he were dead, yet shall he
live. And whosoever liveth and be-
lieveth on Me shall never die"
| The first arrow of sunshine, creeping
over the Wolfsden knoll, slipped down
into the hollow Of Heroncroft, and
through the window Of the oak library.
Like a blessing, it fell on Jaels pillow.
With one quick, flashing smile, the girl
looked up into the eyes Of her watch
ers; then closed her dark eyes, and was
gone.
AS Heron and the physician bent to
raise Vivian from the bedside, they
found that he had tainted from excess
Of bodily suffering. For moment they
thought he, too, was dead.
|
Old Sal Bagley arose from the floor
at Jael's feet, and, unperceived by the
others, scuttled out Of the room, and
went flying away, like a wild creature,
across the Heroncroft garden. The old
woman had no mind to wait cross-ex-
animation from those who had listened
to Jael's dying words. When Francis
Heron turned to look for his ill-favored
visitor, she was nowhere to be found.
He mounted a horse, and galloped to
the town. Half an hour later, an officer
Of the law was fastening to the Bagley
/ shanty, at the Nest, and in his pocket
he carried a warrant for the arrest OF
Maisie Dee, alias Mrs. Steele, charged
with completely in the murder Of her
daughter, Jael Langstroth.
So, after a dolorous night, the sad
morning came. Down by the river the
mills were smoking in hot and lurid
ruin. Somewhere under that mass OF
debris lay the charred bones Of Joe
Bagley, and with them the key to the
Wolfsden attic, which Colonel Rivers
had entrusted to the Blackbird. Up at
Heroncroft, where Bagley's victim had
just breathed her last, there was sor-
row, both for the dead and the living
Noon brought to the house a famous
surgeon who had been summoned from
distance to examine Graham Vivian's
injuries. Hazel, in an agony Of dread,
unable longer to breathe indoors, went
down to the garden to await the great
mans verdict. There Francis Heron
found her when that verdict had been
spoken-the sentence of fate pronounc-
ed. She was white with weary watch
ing, dark shadows trimmed her lovely
eyes; she looked like flower smitten
by sudden storm.
"Tell the truth" she cried. Il can
bear everything but suspense"
He shuddered back from her step.
Great God! how can I deal you such
a blow?"
Speak" she implored. Hide moth
ing from mel am stronger than you
think"
Graham is blind-he will never see
lagain-his sight Is destroyed forever!'
With a heart breaking cry she rush
ed past him, away to the house, and on
to the room where the young preacher
lay, in a darkness that was never more
to be broken. She cast herself down
at his side-twined her white arms
around him.
"Oh, my darling-my poor darling!'
she sobbed, again and again.
He passed his hand caressingly over
her rich hair. Francis Heron. follow
ing after his wife, paused just inside
the door.
You must not fret at my misfortune,
Hazel" he heard Vivian say; "even
though blind, God will find something
for me to do"
ooh, Graham! 1t breaks my heart
to think of all your hopes and ambi-
| tions struck from you at one blow"
His composure remained unshaken.
81 shall not be left hopeless" he an
swered, cheerfully. II know In whom
1 trust. Be glad, dear child. that / am
able to bear it all without complaint"
She laid her white cheek against his.
"I will never leave YOU, Graham" she