Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-01
HERON's WIFE.
49,. "a, Ara sAs A.A sAs Ara AsA sAs A.
By Eta w. PIERCE.

stored with bags OF wool and grea
variety of unused things. A door open
ed into it. This he attempted to pusf
back, but found that it was secured
from within. He brought his strength
to bear against the barrier, and it fel
inside with a sudden clatter. Viviar
stepped into the haunt Of Bruce's ghost
1t was crouching in corner behind
some bags of wool when he forced back
the door; but as he swung his light
aloft, it started up, supernaturaily tat
and white, and showed him pale
wasted face set in wild braids Of black
hair.
my poor Jael!" he said, quietly. y
felt quite sure that / should find you
here"
In her starved, hollow eyes the alarm
changed suddenly to amazement and
great joy.
"Oh, sir" she gasped, Il thought you
were far away by this time-on the sea
gone from Black River forever! Ho"
good of you to come looking, for me
hereto think Of me at ALL"
He surveyed her by the light OF the
lantern. She was pale and pinched
Her gown hung loosely on her shrunk
en- figure. The remnants Of Bruce's
basket had sufficed to keep life in her
but nothing more.
"My departure Is postponed for a
time" he answered. Il have been
looking for you everywhere, Jael! You
cannot guess how much anxiety you
have given me in the last three weeks
A passionate rapture famed in her
dark eyes; then, died, like the last
gleam of an ember.
"Oh, sir, did you care enough for me
to feel anxious?" she answered, hoarse-
ly. 1.-THE day left wolfsden thought
of the mills as the only safe hiding
place in my reach. climbed In al
one of the windows that the strikers
broke-Bruce has since repaired 1t
and crept up to this loft, unseen by
anybody"
He put the lantern on the floor, and
darted down the stair. In a moment
he was back with Bruce's luncheon
basket we'll filled with palatable food.
I'VE cannot talk further, Jael," he
said; quietly, till you take your sup
per-"
He walked away to the other end OF
the loft. When the famished girl had
satisfied her hunger, he returned and
stood by her side. She had seated her.
self on the bags of wool; her chin rest
ed on her hand; her disorder braids
fell darkly about her white face. A
we'll worn pocket Bible, the gift OF
Vivian himself, and the sole companion
of her solitude, lay open near by. He
pointed to it, significantly.
"Then you have not been all alone
Jael?"
mo" she answered solemnly, and
picked up the Book. and touched her
lips to the faded cover. did fright
en- Bruce very much?" she asked.
"Yes," answered Vivian. He thought
you a ghost, and begged me to come
here and exercise you."
She smiled sadly.
Sometimes l was tormented with
thirst, you see, and then / was Obliged
to go down to the lower floor for water
And when was hungry, took the
crumbs from Bruce's basket am
right glad that he imagined me to be a
spirit, sir, because his fear has kept
him from venturing up to this loft"
Vivian nodded.
"Oh, sir, you know all my wicked
ness-do you not? Francis Heron must
have told YOU"
"Yes, Jael."
She held her breath-afraid, as At
seemed, to ask the next question.
"Is-everything at Wolfsden just as
it was three weeks ago, sir?"
"The guests Of the house are gone
Jael, but they left their forgiveness fol
you, and the assurance that you need
not fear punishment 1 am also COM
missioned to give you Mrs. Heron's full
free pardon. So there Is no reason fol
further concealment, my poor girl-you
can now walk out Of your hiding place
without a fear. / advise you to come
Immediately to ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Heron and his wife are your good
friends-they are absent from Black
River just now, but the housekeepel
will care for you. Come, Jael. and be-
gin a new and better life"
He was watching her face for some
sign of relief, hope, JOY, but he saw
there only a blank, pale terror.
you don't know what you say" she
muttered. huskily. You think I an
afraid of the people l robbed sir
Poohl what could they do at the mos
but send me to jail!-I wouldn't care
whit for that-one Is always safe II
jail 1t was very, very good Of then
all to forgive me-tell them, sir, tina
l am not ungrateful; but, can't go t.
Heroncroft Mr.. Vivian-I should bt
caught at once-I should be killed
even Francis Heron could not preven
that. No, no! Let me hide on here {
little longer, till-till-the Wolfsder
house is closed, and everybody goe!
away from Black River. Oh, sir
my life is now in your hands. Should
1t be known abroad that l was in thi
loft, no human power could save me
or the mills"
"Jael!" said Vivian, gravely. this l.
very wild and mysterious talk. Yo,
apprehend personal harm from som'
one-is it Joe Bagley?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
| "a fig for Joe Bagley!"-contemptu
ously.
"Who then? l know, and all you
friends know. that you did not steal tn
money and jewels from the Wolfsdel
guests of your own will-you wer
merely q tool in the hands of anothe
person. Will you speak the name o
that other?"
mo, sir-don't ask mel"
Let me. then. venture guess: Mrs
Steele plotted to destroy Hazel Ferrers
and you were directed, perhaps forced
to aid in the business"