Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-21

| EngliShman-tnat lS put d ihSoeAe "
umph, for Heron is the better man OF
the two"
Precisely, Maisie. Don't you think
with an exasperating grin-"that you
was a trifie hard on the Ferrers? NOW
III couldn't have had the heart to lay
such a trap for the little beauty. Well
let us return to our muttons, as the
French say. I must find my game be-
fore can wing it. Do you expect Jae
Ito show herself at this shanty again
The girl is no fool"
"No-look for her elsewhere-eVery-
where Joe Bagley! 1t is a misfortune
that she got away from Wolfsden IN my
absence, for she ransacked my desk
and carried Off certain papers Hush!
her voice changing suddenly; mot an
other word-I hear some one moving
up the lane"
| Joe arose from his seat on the edge
of the table.
you've a deuced sharp ear, Maisie
Maybe it's the preacher come back to
pursue inquiries about his convert
Awkward for you to be seen here
But evidently Mrs. Steele did not
concur in that opinion, for she coolly
picked up her gloves. and moving to
the door, stood, black. silhouette In
the light that streamed forth from old
Sails lamp.
| A few yards distant, among the re-
fuse heaps Of the lane, two men were
consulting in low voices.
| "Mr. Vivian!" she called, promptly
"Yes, 1t Is you, and you have brought
Mr.. Heron with you! All, see-you
are still looking for poor Jael. We
meet on common ground, then, and
with the same purpose in view"
Thus addressed, the twain advanced
/ to the shanty door.
1T Is late for ladies to be abroad al
the Nest" said Heron, dryly: but, for
tunately, yours is not a timid nature,
Mrs. Steele!"
"True-when am seeking the good
of Others" she answered, with a gentle
smile. "One finds courage In doing
ones duty-is 1t not so. Mr.. VivianT
turning her pale face upon the young
preacher. "You must know, because
YOU are always searching for the lost
sheep. Tell me, have you any news OF
that poor, unfortunate girl?'
| None" said Vivian, briefly.
"Too bad!" sighed Mrs. Steele, "es-
pecially as Colonel Rivers and his lady
guests have decided to forgive her ev-
erything. II she will promise to do
better in the future, they will let the
matter drop. have come from VOLTS
den at this hour to find her, and tell
her this"
Every kind of you!" said Vivian. but
somewhat coldly.
You pity her, Mr.. Vivian-so do l.
You feel a friendly interest in the err
ing creature-you want to do her good
$50 do I. Should you hear anything
of her tonight-aboye all, II you are
fortunate enough to discover her hiding
place-will you kindly send me word at
once?"
Certainly" he answered. providing
that Jael herself wishes me to do so.'
She gave him a sharp. displeased
glance. and stepped down into the lane
| Vivian went up to the threshold OF
the shanty, and looked in.
Joe had vanished.
Sal sat alone at the table, bending
over a piece Of knitting.
Didn't I tell you, an hour ago, that
Jael wasn't here?" said the old woman
grimly.
Never mind" he answered.; II have
message for her, which forgot TO
mention on my previous visit. came
back to leave 1t with you"
She looked up quickly from her knit
ting.
"A message, sir?"
"Yes. Jael may put in an appearance
ght-tomorrow-ata any hour. When
ever you see her, Mother Bagley, tell
her to fear nothing from any quarter
tell her she has friends who will not
fail her. II she needs shelter, money
help of any kind, let her take the near
est road to Heroncroft."
The woman turned on him a pair OF
wild eyes, in which sudden hope
blended with deadly fear. But the next
instant she recovered herself, and bent
again over her knitting.
Thank ye kindly, sir" she muttered
'Tll tell her, If she comes; but she
won't come!"
| Vivian turned back into the lane
where Francis Heron was waiting.
Mrs. Steele had fiirted away-disap-
peared in the night.
In silence the two friends returned to
the mills, mounted their horses, and
started for Heroncroft.
II wonder what the Steele wanted al
Bagley's tonight?" began Heron
thoughtfully. "Of course, that story
about seeking Jael to appease her fears
and carry her news Of pardon, was pure
fiction"
Vivian, who was also meditating, an
swered, rather irrelevantly:
Did you ever think, Heron, that the
Blackbirds-by which mean the band
Of thieves who, under cover Of that
name, hide amongst your mill folk
might be closely connected with the
criminal gangs of the great cities?"
YES" answered Heron, promptly
Have I not often told you that a clev-
erer head than Joe Basley's conceives
the plans which he clumsily executes
a cleverer head, belonging to some mar
perhaps some woman-of genius"
"Woran!" echoed Vivian.
"Who knows? These Blackbirds are
a curious study. A portion Of them, as
you can bear witness, are fairly res
pectable, though all live in a sort Of
moral malaria. Vagabonds, petty pill.
ferers, not to say expert thieves, have
become strangely mixed with a decent
working population. Doubtless stu.
dent Of sociology would tell us tha
H. Dr-s