Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-03-16
HERoN's WIFE.

By ETA w. PIERCE.

II am set to watch over you and you
mamma, I'll own that I've great neet
of Him."
AS my mother and I sat struggling
with q French verb, We heard tina
good creatures step in the porch; ant
instantly she was at the door, her fac'
full of vague alarm.
such a queer thing has happened
ma'am," she said to my mother
when I got to the gate just now
there was this bit Of paper In the
walk, and there was strange wo'
man, too, standing and staring In Al
me, like a born nat'ral. l asked wha'
she wanted, and she never answered
word, but turned and went Off like
shot"
With a surprised air, my mother pu'
down my French grammar and toot
the paper which Patty held out. l hur'
ried to her side, and we both saw thai
the sheet contained one word-only
one-written in a female hand:
Released"
So far as 1 could comprehend, there
was nothing alarming In the dissylla'
BILE: but my mother stared blankly fol
q moment, and then fell back in hel
chair, with the pallor of deadly fea'
on her face.
Patty" she gasped, what was the
woman ike?"
"She was dressed all in gray, ma'am
and wore her veil down-an ordinary
looking party. 1 never set eyes on hel
before"
.sPatty!"-my mothers voice was
sharp with terror-"our day OF safety
in this place is over. We must leave
at once: we must seek another shell
ter"
AS I leaned against her side, coulo
hear her poor heart humping like 8
triphammer. Patty, to my surprise
for she was not an emotional creature
burst into tears. "Oh, my dear, deal
mistress" she cried, where Will we
eo?"-where can we hide? l know
what you mean. The Beast Is out OF
his cage!"
NV mother sat staring blankly, and
answered not a word.
And being out" continued Patty
"he is free to track us to this place
ma'am, and devour us all. I haven't
forgot his old threats; no more have
you."
By a great effort, my mother regain
ed her self control.
Hush, Patty; you frighten Hazel
She said, with dignity. 1--WE cannot
talk of this matter now. Stop crying
and go about your errands. You have
trades people to see in the town
purchases to make"
How can leave you alone ma am
sobbed Patty. How can / know tna'
you will be safe while / am gone? Le'
me send this very minute for the po'
lice"
NV mother took her servant by the
hand and led her out Of the door.
heard a murmur Of voices; then l sa"
PATTY 90 off down the walk, with hel
basket in hand. My mother returned
to her place at the table, and picKet
up my French grammar as tnougf
nothing had occurred.
The incident had put me out not
little. I was both terrified and curious
Mamma" l stammered, rs 1t true
that there is a Beast out Of cag'
coming to devour us?"
She hesitated a moment, then drop
ped her book, and turning, threw he'
white arms passionately around me.
THAT was one Of Patty's foolish hg'
ures Of speech, darling. Do not thini
of it again"
But what does Released meaI
mammal" persisted. "And why mus
we 20 away from Lake Cottage, wher'
we have always lived?'
She shuddered, and clasped me clos
er.
"I have an enemy, Hazel, who ha'
sworn to do me great evil. To him
already owe unspeakable things; bu
for him you and would not today b
alone and unprotected In the world
For ten years I have lived at peac'
here in Lake Cottage, knowing tina
nv foe was behind strong walls, pow
erless to work me further harm. Blu
that word Released was written t.
warn me that he Is again at large
that my day Of security Is over-m!
hiding place known: that 1t Is neces
sary for me to be on my guard. Oh
nv darling, we must now leave LAX
Cottage, because it is no longer saf
for us to remain here"
Ny fair young mother had Away
seemed to me the most angelic-th
most adorable of beings. Dropping
my face on her soft, white neck, coul'
only cry out in dismay: "Who can b.
your enemy, mamma? Who would d.
you harm?"
Her eyes darkened, like a lake over
shadowed by tempest. Some vision
dread had suddenly arisen before her.
1T is long story" she shuddered
"and too terrible for a child like you t
hear. In the years to come you vii
know all, Hazel. Meanwhile, you un
derstand, do you not, that DANCE
threatens us, and that we. like a.
weak, defenseless creatures, must aris
and fly before it?"
Yes, mamma" I answered, with
creeping chill-a sudden sinking O
heart-I understand"
| CHAPTER II.
Hazel Speaks.
All interest in my lesson was owe
for that day.