Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-20
CHAPTER XVI.
Hazel Speaks Again.


her purse and ring; and / none, aias'
OF my lost papers. Colonel Pit Rivers
had not as yet returned to Wolfsden
hut was expected hourly. A new SER
want was appointed to watch at nigh'
with our faithful Martin, but as 81
Griffin Hopewood found him stretched
dead drunk on garden seat, before l.
O'Clock had struck, we felt no addition
al security from his presence.
"A singular epidemic Of crime seems
abroad in this community" said the
professor. "And, indeed, news or smal
tbefts all about us, and rumors of larg-
or ones, filled the air. A general un-
easiness prevailed in the big country
houses along the river. Sir grimm
still hiding his passion under the mask
of civility, watched me with anxious
eyes.
"My darling" he whispered, stealing
into the recess Of a window, where
had taken refuge from the after din
ner small talk that was going on In tine
Wolfsden drawing room, "how pale you
look, how sad! One would think some
enormous burden was pressing on your
spirits. Can it be that you are fright
ened with all this trumpery talk OF
thefts and robbers?"
mo, no." I stammered, ut Is not
that"
What them" he urged, slipping an
arm about me, in the shadow OF the
curtain, and straining me to his strong
side. 81 do not like to see this shad-
ow on your beauty. I hardly know
your great arch eyes, your witchins
red mouth in this guise Of sadness"
You think too much of my beauty"
I said, half in jest, half in earnest.
How can that be?" he answered In
good natured amaze. 1T is part OF
yourself"
YES, but will it hold you to your
allegiance when-when-the truth shall
be told?" I gasped, incoherently. Then
my face dropped against his sleeve
and a sob shook me.
What do you mean, love?" murmur-
ed my lover, in sore distress. Are you
fretting because our engagement has
been made in secret docs that trou-
BILE you, pet? Pom my soul, 7 shall re-
joice when Rivers comes back, and ev-
erybody at wolfsden knows that you
are to be my wife. Rest assured, your
beauty is sufficient for anything, Ha-
zel-it will hold me like prison-fetters,
forever Why may / not love you for
your sweet eyes, for the lustre in your
a mass Of crushed
curls to his lips-"for the lilies on your
cheek and throat? What Is all this
loveliness but a garment through which
see your soul, as the outlines of your
body are visible through the dress you
wear?'
I felt a strange relief in this foolish
talk He had no suspicion Of the
thoughts in my heart The moment
of confession could not be far distant;
but for any respite, however brief,
was thankful.
Another besides Sir Griffin had OBJ.
served my tell-tale looks. That nigh
she came gliding into my chamber
like lovely ghost-her long, white
gown spread out behind her like a fan
and dropping into seat, she extended
to me her bare, shining arms.
Confession is good for the soul
Hazel" she said. II have not beer
so selfish in these past few days-st
absorbed in my own affairs-that
could not see you were suffering. Now
out with 1t, dear!-tell me everything.
sank in the soft rug at her feet
and buried my face in her lap. coult
not withstand her searching, loving
gaze-I could no longer conceal from
her my troubles. Whatever came,
must tell Sergia and then and there
l did tell her everything that the read
er already knows.
After my story, silence fell. Hel
shining. white arms held me in Close
embrace-her cheek pressed my hair
She was shivering unconsciously.
"Oh, you poor darling!" she said, a
last, 1T is readful!-dreadful!
want you to be happy-you must b.
happy! Why should you suffer TO
your fathers sins? We do not know
Sir Griffin very we'll, I fear, nor can w
comprehend the full height and deptl
of his pride. I am wicked enough t
suggest that you remain silent con
cerning your family history. Th
baronet loves you for yourself alone
Keep your secret, Hazel-keep it al
ways"
But ii is no longer my secret"
shuddered; you forgot that it has lef
my keeping, Sergia. My mothers let
ter is lost-I know not into who's
hands it may have fallen. No, no
the whole truth must be told, but hov
can find courage to tell it?"
She fell to comforting me with sis
terly tenderness. We went to sleep IL
each others arms, as in the old day
at school. Whatever evil might over
whelm me, in Sergia l possessed
friend who would never change.
The following day the guests a
Wolfsden went to lunch at neighbor
ing villa. occupied by a retired banke
named Talcott who was on very friend
ly terms with Colonel Rivers.
Pere Talcott, bald-headed and pomp
Gus, welcomed us Hospitality. or tn
two daughters of the house, Proser
pine, an ethereal Burne-JOnes Great
ure. Wore a gown of unearthly gree
and yellow tints, and her Titian-re
hair in a state of mad disorder
Gwendoline. the youngest sister, Of
grosser type and less bOny cOnstruc
ton. sat next to me at lunch, an
startled the table more than once wit
her boisterous "Ha, ha!" and her fran
comments fired like hot shot, left an
right. There was also a deaf aunt
who welded an ear-trumpet, ate moth
ing but macaroons, and seemed com
posed of powder and rouge, and van
tiles too young for her by half-cen
tury.
To