Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-25
CHAPTER XVII.
Hazel.

Three days hlci, thS Ae,'
the Ferrers, on a slope at Mount Au-
burn. opened to receive new tenant
and the old Judge was laid In its gloom
and silence with all the pomp pentths
his name and fame.
Graham Vivian was there soiemhiy
conducting the last rites. FRANCIS
Heron and his wife were there, chiei
,,,ourners at the burial-both preserV-
ing a strict propriety Of demeanor' an
admirabIe calmness Of look and man
ner. In the crowd Of people VINO mao
gathered to pay their last tribute TO the
aenarted. nearly every one by this time
knew something of Hazel's story; ana
smany were the curious glances cast at
Sf6a granddaughter whom Judge Fer
rers had acknowledged only on MS
death-bed, and then solely through the
influence Of Francis Heron.
The ceremony over, Heron took MS
wife's passive hand.
Come" he whispered, and assisted
her into the carriage. Under the state-
" Cambridge elms they went back 10
the city and the Commonwealth Ave
ME house. During the ride, HUSBAND
and wife sat like craven images in op-
posite corners of the vehicle. Speech
there was none. The two seemed 10
have absolute nothing to say to each
other-they had had nothing to say ior
the last three dismal days.
It was twilight when they reacheo
the great house, over the wealth ana
splendor of which Hazel was now un-
DISPUTED mistress. In drawing room'
sumptuous with fine grained rosewood
and draperies Of gold brocade, GrahaR
Vivian came to take formal leave VI
Heron's young wife.
From a massive chair Of gilded wood
work, like a throne, she arose 10 inject
him. Some wax-lights, In tall can
delabrum of wrought silver, shed sort
lustre on her girlish, black-draped ns-
ure. All about her were rich. subdued
co,ors-carving, mirrors, CLEANS OF
costly metals, cabinets enriched WIN
panels of cathedral glass, webs from
Oriental lOVIIlS Ahu ~ s
her new luxury, Hazel stood,
"An alabaster woman, with hxed
brows,"
and held out her small hand TO ViViah'
"you return to Black River by the
next train?" she said, as she looked
wistfully into his friendly face.
Yes" he answered.
eft is now three days since Jael dis
appeared, and, as yet, nothing mas peeh
heard Of her."
'I still believe that she Is hiding
somewhere in Black River"
"Then, sooner or later, she will ap-
neal to you for help, Mr.. Vivian. She
must regard you as her best friend' tor
Won were the first person to teach her
right and wrong. Oh, I hope" with a
little nervous contraction Of her smooth
brows, that no bodily harm has come
to the poor grill"
By the look on his face she saw that
she had but expressed his own ankle
ty.
"Jael has played the part Of a hero
ine," he answered; land 1t Is possible
that the Blackbirds may attempt TO
visit vengeance upon her. For that
very reason 1 am anxious to remain
within reach, should she need my help.
Hazel nodded thoughtfully.
.I feel sure that Jael did not do me
evil of her own WILL" she said; but ut
the instigation, perhaps the direct
command, Of some other party. When
she is found, Mr.. Vivian, assure her OF
my full, free pardon, and, If you like,
send her to me for safety. 1 not only
forgive her-I will gladly take her into
nv service. Surely her foes could not
reach her here?"
NO" answered Vivian. "You are
very kind, and Jael will be sure to re-
ceive your cffer gratefully. Could we
but find her, we might win her full
confidence, and so induce her to name
the parties who have used her as tool.
You-that is"-rather awkwardly, for
he felt that he was treading dangerous
ground-"You will not return to Black
River, Mrs. Heron-I mean, for the
PRESENT."
NO" she answered; "but don't for
get to keep me informed Of all that
concerns poor Jael?"
81 will not forget" he replied, and
pressed her hand warmly, and departed
to take the evening train for Black
River
Then, from a far end of the room,
where he had been quietly waiting,
Francis Heron advanced. and stood be-
fore his wife.
81, too, must say good-by," he began.
For three days you have endured my
presence will now relieve you Of 1t,
Hazel. OF course, 1 understand that
you mean to make your future home
here; but pardon me-alone?-wil you
live alone?"
"Why not?" she answered, dryly.
For one thing, you are very young.
1t is hardly customary for girl in her
teens to remain without a companion
Have you no female relatives, no fam
lily connection, who would take you in
charger"
She looked at him defiantly.
II do not care to be taken in charge
by anybody, Mr.. Heron. OF course,
have no relatives-you forget that I am
the last of the Ferrers race, and about
my fathers people l know nothing
However, the prospect does not daunt
me. 1t is likely that the friends of
Judge Ferrers will in time find me out. y
mo doubt of it," he replied, bitterly
with your beauty and wealth, you will
never lack for friends! don't wish to
appear meddlesome, but I must say
again that to live entirely alone with
hired servants seems hardly the proper
thing for you-at your age, you will be
sure to find it no end of a bore"
Her voice grew hard and cold.
Solitude is better than the society OF
people that one dislikes. is it not?"
Undoubtedly! / understand your
gibe, Hazel-you have escaped from my