Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-03-30

Before 1 could answer, she darted in
to a side path, and vanished In the
shrubbery.
went on alone to the house.
CHAPTER *.
Hazel Speaks.
Sir Griffin Hopewood met me in the
drive before the door, and doffed mis-
hat, with a glow Of pleasure IN his
blonde face. He was very blonde, this
titled Englishman. His hair and beard
were like flax, his lazy, laughing eyes
"a blue as the sea on a cloudless day.
81 have been looking for you every
where" he said, eagerly. 1.-THE whole
household is exercised over the depre-
dations of Inst night. Cad! 1t was only
a few day., ago that the rascals
scrawled on. : colonel's gate-post
notice to quiz Z :ifsden, and signed IL
King Blackbird. Ee ought to nave
the entire gang before magistrate"
.T quite agree with you"-1 began,
absently. And then I saw Sergia's da &
cling face and gold-crowned head III
the porch.
How pale you look!" she said to me-
Did Jael find you in the garden?"
I nodded.
Don't send that girl after me agair'
Sergia," whispered. Il am-well, JUST
a little afraid Of her!"
1 could not say more, for / reine:n-
bered the promise I had made Jael to
keep silent. Sergia laughed.
1T is true that Jael is rather or
midable to look at" she said; "but,
generally speaking, find her 'ociie
enough"
Then we went in to breakfast.
Sir Griffin sat beside me at the meal,
talked to me continually, and with no
attempt to conceal his preference.
This titled stranger was the first
man who had ever offered me the
smallest attention. felt myself grow
ing bewildered under his admiring
gaze and the spell Of his mellow voice.
It was like sudden burst Of sunshine
on a flower that had never before
known warmth or brightness. Colonel
Rivers smiled at me in paternal way
across the table. Mrs. Van Vert shook
her pretty head playfully at Sir Grif-
fin. Sergia watched us closely while
she talked with the learned professor.
I turned, at last, to Miss Carbury, VINO
sat on my other hand, and said:
81 hope Punch has recovered from
the effects of his bath in the ditch.
From your fiippant tone, Miss Fer
rers, I fear you do not love dogs" re-
piled Miss Carbury, with gentle re-
proach.
do not love me-" -murmured.
remembering the hound Cossack.
Punch is recovering" said Miss Car
bury. gravely, thanks to that admira-
BILE woman, Mrs. Steele, who attends
him like an angel. think the colonel
Is to be congratulated upon the pos
session Of such a housekeeper. quite
dote upon her! You cannot imagine
what a kind, obliging creature she is."
Mrs. Steele is indeed an admirable
person." said Colonel Rivers. Il have
known her for many years. Her hus-
band, a clergyman, to whom 1 was
greatly attached, died a year ago,
leaving his widow in reduced circum-
stances. 1 felt that I had secured a
treasure when I induced her to come
to Wolfsden, to assist in making an
agreeable home for my ward"
1 looked at Sergia. She returned my
glance significantly. AS soon as we
arose from the table she drew me into
the coloners library, which CHANGED to
be vacant.
"You heard what my guardian said?'
she began, in a troubled voice. Il met
Mrs. Steele on the stair this morning
examined her face critically as
promised to do. She is like Miss Dee
Strange that never discovered the re-
semblance before!-but oh, very much
older, Hazel, dear! 1 went straight to
my guardian, and requested him to
give me a few particulars concerning
Mrs. Steele's past history. He told me
the same story which you heard at the
table. After that, I could not say an
other word. With my guardian to
vouch for her, how can we distrust Mrs
Steele?"
I'VE cannot, Of course!" I answered,
deeply mortified, Il am quite ashamed
of myself, Sergia! What right have
to come, guest, to this house, and
begin my visit by casting suspicion
on the servants Of my host? am glad
that you forbore to tell Colonel Rivers
anything more"
without your consent, dearest Ha-
eel, could not mention your sad past,
even to my guardian" replied Sergia,
gravely. Now, cheer up! Mrs. Steele
must be Mrs. Steele, and no other,
since Colonel Rivers has known her for
years. One sometimes sees a queer
resemblance betwixt utter strangers,
you know"
YES, yes!" l assented, convinced that
had made a stupid blunder. Il fear
am a little morbid on these old,
dreadful subjects"
Sergia pressed my arm suddenly.
"Hush!" she began, and the library
door opened, and Mrs. Steele herself
entered, bearing in her hands a Dutch
faience jar full of fresh roses.
Both Sergia and I stood motionless
and looked at her.
She wore bombazine gown and
lawn apron. Her gray hair was arrang-
ed in little antique puffs beneath her
cap, a style which seemed to change
her whole face. Her glasses left me
quite in doubt about the eyes behind
them.
AS she put her roses down on the
coloners table, Sergia called her name
Mrs. Steele! did you ever hear OF
Nine. Deland's School for Young
LADIES'"
In vain I watched that narrow, chalk
Co.