Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-27
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Author Speaks.


spaces of sky the shrunken moor
climbed higher, with a thin cioue
blown. like a veil, across her wan race
Distant lights twinkled on the rivei
hanks. There was no sign anywhere
of the strikers-no disturbing elemen
in the universal peace and silence
The events of the last hour migh'
have been a dream but for that scorch'
ed and blackened place on Miss Poles
white cloak.
She sat in the boat, with that IN
iured garment slipping back from mel
shoulders, and showing her close cor
sage. and the blood-red roses making
a dark stain thereon. The elbow
sleeves of fine lace fell away from mel
full white arms, and one uncoilec
tress of hair clung, like golden SER
nent about her milky throat. In thai
uncertain light she looked supernatur'
ally white and shining.
your appearance in the mill dool
was most, opportune!" began vivian
"a fortunate thing, indeed, for He
ron!"
do you think SOP" she answered
az was lust wondering IL the whole
affair did not strike you as rather boio
and unmaidenly."
Gould so misjudge you? 1t IL
hard to say how the trouble would nave
ended but for you and your maid"
She leaned little toward him. The
perfume of the Jacqueminot roses FILL
ed his nostrils.
.I have noticed that men do moi
generally approve the outre things II
women. The timid, conventional MISS
priscillas are those who win the ad-
miration of your SEX"
He rowed with steady, practiceo
strikes. The pale light seemed to IN
tensify the fiawless symmetry OF MS
face, the profound darkness OF his eyes
what is your definition Of outre
things? he answered. mot promp'
action put forth for kinsman In per-
II, I hope"
She laughed SOFTLY
'It was Jael who urged me to seef
YOU at the mills. She knows all the
secrets of the Blackbirds; she also
possesses some mysterious influence
with them. Miss Carbury declares
that a wonderful change has come tt
the girl since you began to preach a.
Black River"
He grew very grave.
81 have had positive proof OF tha'
fact. only hope that she may not pe
made to suffer for heroism that II
above praise. Has she relatives,
wonder, who could give her protection
in case Of need?"
She wondered at his warmth.
"I never heard Jael speak Of rela'
tives," she answered, with tagging
interest. "She is probably an orphan
1t is hard to fancy that handsome, fear
less giantess seeking protection OF any
one"
He made no reply. The moon rose
higher, and dropped little road o.
light upon the river; into this the boa
swept, and glided through its whit'
radiance. as on some enchanted track
The excitement of the night before
still throbbed in Sergia's veins ant
shone in her eyes. She felt a curious
exhilaration as she watched VIVIAN
With that glamour Of moonlight on MI
Greek face, he was absurdly handsome
He impelled the boat onward TOWARD
the arch of the bridge, with long
splendid strokes.
"Oh, don't row so fast!" she pleaded
involuntarily; that is, l mean -
growing confused-"the riVer-th'
moon-is so lovely tonight, that ont
would like to prolong such movements
Will you remember this scene, Mr.. vi
Wan, when other moons shine on you
in the country of the Hottentots"
He relaxed his speed at her bidding
and let the water slip like ropes o
pearl from his uplifted oars.
II will remember it everywhere-s'
long as 1 live," he answered.
You have chosen a far field OF Ia
bor."
A shadow fell on his face.
Yes: l have never been able to fac
certain circumstances in my life witt
proper courage / ask nothing bette
than to go where my name Is not, ant
cannot be, known-where l may for
get who and what l am in my WORK
All fields must be the same in tn
sight of God. Africa or Black River
what matter?"
Heron had more than once hinted a
the presence of a skeleton in hi
friends closet. Sergia seemed now Z
hear the rattling of its bones.
will you ever return, Mr.. Vivian, o
Is YOUR exile to be life-long?"
Life long. The kindred who care'
for me in my childhood are now dead
and with the exception Of Heron,
have no intimate friends. So you vii
see that exile does not mean to m
all that it might to a more fortunat
man."
It was very odd, but the composur
of his tone filled her with keen exas
peration. How could he talk of vol
untary, lifelong exile without shad
ow of emotion? She leaned a littl
nearer, lifting to his gaze her mocKine
dazzling face, with it's arched blac
brows and yellow lOve-locks.
You have dedicated yourself to tn
highest good" she said Now look a
me! l am of the world, and yer
worldly! A moralist might draw som
painful contrasts betwixt the life yo
have chosen and that which I hope t
enjoy. l mean to be q society belle. MI
Vivian-a queen in lie beau monde, an
outshine all other girls, and driv
them wild-quite wild, if possible!-
with envy. l mean to wiring from lif
every drop of honey that it holds, an
let duty, and all those tiresOme. tediou
things, severely alone. How shocke
you look" with little reckless, de
fiant laugh: "how you must despis
mel"