Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-07
CHAPTER XXI.
Hazel Speaks.

Is Sergia dead?
NY host, usually so gentle ana gen.
ial. so full of what the French can
bonhomie, surveyed me with scowl.
"You here!" and his tone implied that
he wished me leagues away
wrung my hands in terror.
"See! there is blood on her dress. l
saw some one rush by the window! l
heard a woman scream. Is she killed
pray, pray tell mel"
Holding Sergia's inanimate BODY IN
his arms, he smiled at me in ghastly
way.
"You dear little simpleton, no, she Is
not killed, and you heard no one scream
but Sergia herself. Some Biackpird
was hiding here behind the vines; ne
aimed a blow at me, and 1t fell upon
her"
He strained the white form to his
breast-he was as pale as ashes. The
conviction came to me that Sergia
could never escape the man VINO heio
her in that way-who looked at her
with SuCH SfOdlih6 WV
81 had no idea that you were any
where about, Miss Ferrers!" he salo
sbarply. Make no outcry, but run al
once for Jael, and see that you tell no
other person what has occurred here.
It will never do to spoil the pleasure
of our guests before the ball Is hair
DONE"
I cast one last look at Sergia, as she
Law In her blood -dabbled ball dress, un-
conscious on his arm; and, never
dreaming of the dreadful events that
must happen before I should again see
her dear, beautiful face, rushed wildly
away to find Jael.
"Oh!" 1 said to myself as / went,
"Sergia's forebodings are all realized
the night has brought her i'll luck, In
deed!"
Jael chanced to be waiting in an up
stairs dressing room.
I burst upon her, trembling. breath
less, and with such conference as could
muster, told her of the catastrophe on
the terrace.
Colonel Rivers wants you at once!
7 easped. "Go-go! fear Miss Pole
is badly hurt, and he does not wish
the guests below to know 1t"
certainly not" answered Jael, Ia
conically. She seemed neither surprised
nor agitated by my story; but she
started toward the door, like person
used to unquestioning obedience. You
had better hurry back to the ballroom,
Miss Ferrers," she stopped to say, ana
behave there as IL nothing were wrong.
Once before I ventured to offer you
some good advice, but you would not
accept 1t. Remember our conversation
in the garden, when you first came 10
Wolfsden. Why did you distrust me
tnen? 1 told you to quit the place.
warned YOU that it was not good Tor
you to stay. WE'LL as 1t seems my
breath was wasted, miss, for you are
still here!"
L was mortally afraid Of the creature,
and I answered, in a conciliatory tone:
81 dare say you meant we'll, Jael, but
I am glad did not take your advice
in doing so, l should have missed a
very great happiness"
She looked at me askance.
Are you quite sure? Happiness mas
many wings, INSIST often flies away
at unexpected times. You would not
believe me, say-I failed to convince
YOU that I was your friend. Well, one
word in your ear, Miss Ferrers. TO
show you that can see below the sur
face of things, will just mention how
this stabbing Of Miss Pole came about
tonight-Colonel Rivers was making
love to her!"
was greatly startled, for had TAX
en- care not to intimate anything OF the
kind in my story.
How did you know that?" de-
manded.
"As knew, weeks ago, that Wolfs-
den was no safe abiding place for the
girl called Hazel Ferrers! Now go
straight back to Sir Griffin Hopewood,
and mind you tell no one of the thing
that has befallen Miss Pole"
She vanished down the stair, leaving
me in a tumult of mingled fright and
wonder. Much as l longed to do so, l
dared not follow her, or disobey the
Injunction which l had received, first
from the master and then from the SER
want. 1t was my task to conceal, as
best l could, the mysterious stabbing;
so, in the most unenviable state Of
mind, l Jared back to the ballroom.
Under the portiere, where Mrs. Van
Vert had clasped her diamond brace
lets on my arms, Sir Griffin was sta
toned, glowering upon all passersby.
At sight of me, he rushed forward in
great irritation.
"I have been searching for you ev-
erywhere," ne cried. You found Fran
els Heron's company particularly pleas
ant, did you not?"
"I had quite forgotten Heron. My
mind was full of poor Sergia. With
flash of jealous wrath Sir Griffin went
on:
For the best part Of an hour you
have been absent from tne pdii-io''H
with that man! consider it decidedly
bad form Hazel
My heart swelled, but tried to smile,
as | answered.
you must not expect little ignor-
amous like me to discriminate betwixt
bad form and good. have not been
all this time with Francis Heron, but
mostly alone in an adjoining room.
There was a person here tonight whom
/ much wished to see-Heron was good
enough to take me to find him. l can
make no further explanations"
He marked my pallor and confusion,
and his choler increased.
You have been crying!" sharply. II
did not dream that Heron possessed the
power to make you cry. All, how stupid
of me! 1 remember now. He Is an old
friend Of yours-maybe an old lover"
Yes, he Is my friend" I answered,