Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-01

fully. OF you and Of the Herons de-
serve nothing, sir, but loathins and
punishment"
The bitterness in her tone went to
his heart.
whatever your sins may be, Jael,
you have shown US clearly that you are
penitent, and fully deserving Of all pity
-kindness-help. Confide in your
friends-tell me plainly who the parties
are that threaten your safety. Is 1t
we'll for you to take upon yourself the
odium of another persons sin-to
screen that other at the cost Of truth
and honestly"
She shuddered. How could she re-
sist the deep, persuasive voice that was
dearer to her than all other sounds on
earth? In spite Of herself, 1t seemed
dragging from her the things which
she dared not reveal.
Don't urge mel" she cried, wildly.
Good and noble as you are, Mr.. WV
ian, in my place you, too. would keep
silent. I am the slave of those / hate!
I was born to serve them-always with
dumb lips. They hold me by something
stronger than the Blackbirds' oath!
Oh, it would shrivel my tongue to tell
you of the shameful bond that unites
me to my strangers, and to the life OF
a thief. 1 would be glad to speak, but
I ot"-hopelessly-" l cannot"
A righteous indignation famed in
Vivian's handsome face.
"Jael, 1 perceive that it is my duty to
go to Colonel Rivers and enlighten him
concerning the woman Of whose real
character he seems so strangely isnor-
ant"
She caught his arm.
Don't do it! He would not believe
you-he would not listen. Keep away
from Pitt Rivers, and from Mrs:
Steele! I will hide from her, so long
as she stays at Wolfsden. When she
leaves that house. She paused, and
added, mournfully, But my future is
in Gods hands"
"And you will not let me help you,
Jael!" he said. sadly. You will tell me
nothing more?"
She hesitated a moment. In the Ian
tern light her face grew strangely SOL
emn.
Yes" she whispered. 81 am to die
strikes, perhaps you will be near me-
Then l shall no longer fear man nor
woman-then-I promise faithfully, sir
you shall know everything"
You are to die soon?" he echoed
in a shocked voice. "My poor girl, why
do you talk like this?"
1T Is quite true, sir. Every night
dream Of a knife at my throat-a bullet
in my heart! The Blackbirds never
forgive one that betrays them. I have
betrayed them again and again!"
And without thought Of your own
danger, Jael!"
"Oh, no, sir" simply. 81 always un-
derstood the risk. When made up my
mind to save Hazel Ferrers, for your
sake 1 knew that l must fly for my
life"
For my sake?"
She colored family.
THAT was a slip of the tongue, sir
let it pass"
The lantern made a central point OF
light in the loft. Beyond it gloomed the
mystery and darkness of bare rafters
and far cobwebby corners. Jael leaned
suddenly forward in the brightness
| thrust one hand under the bags of wool
and drew out some folded papers.
Weeks ago, Mr.. Vivian, stole these
from the room Of Hazel Ferrers, and
gave them to Mrs. Steele. The day
escaped from Wolfsden, l took them
from that woman's desk-she was alb
sent in the town-and brought them
away with me. / would like to give
them back to Miss FerrerS myself, and
humbly beg her pardon. but that cant
be, sir; so ask you to send them to tho
young lady without delay"
He took the papers from her hand
and put them in his pocket.
"They shall be mailed to Heron's wifi
before l sleep" he said.
She looked wistfully in his face.
Tell her that I read her mothers
letter when it was in the hands of Mrs
Steele. She will forgive me when she
| knows that with the reading of 1t
vowed to serve her against all her ene-
mics"
| II will tell her." said Vivian.
| He was deeply moved by the girls
situation. OF her personal danger ht
could only guess; but the little that she
had disclosed filled him with lively
apprehension. Again he urged her tc
cast herself on the protection of hei
friends-to leave Black River and al
its perils. real or imaginary, and take