Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-09

CHAPTER M-Continued.
Spinning breathlessly along the road
toward Wolfsden, we came to an open
gate. In spite Of all Sergia's efforts
the ponies turned straight through II
and carried us UP a driveway to the
door of "a house. When recovered my
self possession, Francis Heron was
standing at the heads Of the animals
inviting us to alight.
How delightful" said Sergia, with
a hysterical laugh. Here we are al
Heroncroft! What can all these horrid
little beasts, Francis? I have no Idea
how the animals came to whirl US upon
YOUR premises in this fashion"
"Haye the goodness to get down from
the cart, and I will investigate the
case" answered Heron, dryly.
scrambled out, and Sergia after
me. We were standing before red
brick house, with high, steep roof
and many chimneys, over which hocks
of purple pigeons fiuttered in the sun
There was a big, white door with
brass knocker, and a porch sheeted In
woodbine and red roses-the latter like
a cloud of fire. Smooth turf stretched
on all sides, also tagged walks, bor-
dered with enormous pear trees, and
ON the steps Of the porch the houno
Cossack lay asleep in the sun.
Dear old Heroncroft!" said Sergia
looking around You and / used to
romp and quarrel in these walks when
we were children, Francis-do you re-
member? How would like to see the
the grand old rooms again!"
"would you?" he answered, eagerly
MAY / ask you to come in with MISS
Ferrers and rest awhile? Perhaps you
would consent to lunch with me! All
the old servants are still here-they
make things fairly comfortable in my
bachelor establishment"
"Oh," cried Sergia, Il yearn to accept
your hospitality, Francis, but 1t cannon
be, Miss Carbury would lift her hands
in horror at such breach Of propriety
I must respect her feelings, even though
my own suffer-
She stopped short as we saw Graham
Vivian coming up one OF the haggeo
walks-he, too, had taken the snort
cut" through the woods. Sergia turned
her long, dazzling neck and welcomed
with a smile which might have melteo
st. Anthony himself.
"Hi. Vivian!" cried Heron. "Holc
these beasts a moment, will you, while
I look at the harness? The ladies are
in trouble"
Vivian held the ponies and his friend
made the necessary examination. Moth
ing wrong could be discovered. 1t was
a case of pure malignity on the part
of the brutes.
my nerves are quite upset" signed
Sergia, with a pretty air OF timidity
cousin Francis, I must beg you 10
drive Hazel home, and I will walk TO
Wolfsden through the garden"
mot alone!" said Vivian, and ne
gave her his arm with an appearance
of lively concern.
They moved away together.
81 had never before heard Of Sergia's
nerves" but entered the pony-car'
with Heron, and we drove forth at a
funeral pace into the high road. l had
an uncomfortable feeling that all was
not quite right betwixt Francis Heron
and myself-a suspicion which soon
became certainty. In hard, cold voice
he began:
TT seems that that English cad, Sill
Griffin. has become your shadow OF
late"
rs he a cad?" asked, resentfully.
You cannot question the other hall
of my sentence, Miss Ferrers."
I looked straight before me in dis
pleased silence. Directly he spoke
again, and in a changed, remorsefu
tone:
Pardon my boorishness. You dc
well to despise me. l have no right tc
sneer at Sir Griffin-for aught that
know, he may be an archangel."
"I do not despise you,' I answered
coldly; but 1 think you very ill-na'
tured."
"I ami" he confessed; "for instance
there, on the preaching ground, Sil
Griffin was leaning on the wheel o.
YOUR carriage. / longed to approach
you, but had / done so, 1 must nave
knocked him down. So / fed from
temptation. You don't understand,
suppose?"
moi" I answered, shortly.
THE explanation is simple enough
Since the day l kissed you at school
YOU remember?I have loved you des'
perately. I want you for myself"
His dark, lean face was very pale
his breath came quick and short
For a moment l sat stunned ant
wretched; then the tears began to rol
down my cheeks.
You must not think OF me in tina
way. Mr.. Heron" 1 faltered. 1T is
is quite impossible! Oh, 1 am yer!
sorry to make you suffer-you, wh'
have always been so kind to mel
am, indeed"
You love Sir Griffin" he said, in
thick, stifled voice.
II wish you would not ask any ques
tions, Mr.. Heron. You make me very
very unhappy. l can only beg you t
forgive me-
Dear little girl, there is nothing t
forgive" he interrupted, growing ver'
gentle at sight of my distress "Yo'
must not cry, and you must not be un
happy. 1 knew that my case wa
hopeless before 1 spoke-yet coul'
not keep silent. You cannot be blam
ed because l chose to make fool
myself. I will remember your swee
pity, Hazel, and bless you for it 81
long as live"
He did not speak again till we turn
ed into the gate at Wolfsden. Then
as he gave the ponies to Martin. h
said. with forced cheerfulness:
Your grandfather has accepted m,
invitation, Miss Ferrers-he is cominl
soon to Heroncroft."