Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-04-16


ed Hazel Ferrers, and her voice betray-
ed her fright "You-you must not
think it strange, Mr.. Heron"
II can never think anything strange
that you may do," answered the reject
ed lover, with sturdy loyalty. "You
need not feel that you must explain
Your movements to me, Miss Ferrers.'
She struggled hard to suppress her
agitation.
Let me confess that I am dreadful
lily afraid Of the darkness and solitude
of this road" she answered, trying to
laugh. "I would be very glad to ride
with you up the hill-that is, If your
invitation to the good woman can be
extended to me-"
| With one hand he held his high h-step-
ping horse, and with the other assisted
her into his trap.
'I am glad that we met here" Jael
heard him say, "for it is hardly safe
for you to be abroad in this locality,
without an escort"
Then the trap dashed away up the
dismal road.
Thank heaven!" muttered the wait
ing maid, "she is safe now-she Is al
| ways safe with Francis Heron!"
With an air Of relief Jael plodded
on UP the hill in the track. Of the van
ished vehicle.
| The way seemed singularly long and
lonely this night. Lights twinkled in
distant dwellings, but no further sign
of life appeared in the dark, empty
road. With strong, mannish strides
Jael measured the distance, and pres
emily drew near to the gates Of Heron
croft There she turned, and looked
apprehensively back. Perhaps she
feared that Joe Bagley or Mother Sal
might be pursuing her through the
dark; but she saw nothing, heard
nothing.
Another moment, and the girl had
darted under the trees of Heron's drive
way, and was making straight for the
square, red-brick house.
A lamp burned in the porch, and a
path of level light led past the smooth
lawns, UP to the door, where the roses
and woodbine swung in intricate tan
giles against the moist bricks. Jael
hurried along this path, knowing per-
fectly we'll the danger upon which she
was rushing-the black gulf opening
under her very feet. The stables were
In the rear Of the house, and out of
sight. She could not tell whether or
not Heron had reached the place be-
fore her, and she was painfully aware
| that the groom Jake might be watch
ing her from some coigne Of vantage.
As she looked around, she espied a ray
# light glinting through the woodbine
from a room which she knew was used
as Francis Heron's library. A curtain
there chanced to be halfsdrawn,A-J Jael
eagerly approached, and with suspend
ed breath peered in at the window.
1t was a handsome apartment, fin
ished in oak, and crowded with book
shelves from floor to ceiling. Only one
person occupied it-a man, reading at
table, with his straight Greek pro-
file turned toward the window-Gra-
ham Vivian.
In repose the sadness Of the young
preachers face was quite as remarka-
BILE as it's strong beauty. One could
readily believe that some shadow rest
ed on his life-some sorrow of which
the world knew nothing. With the
absorbed air of a student, he kept his
eyes fixed on the open page, till Jael,
gathering courage, raped sharply on
the pane. Instantly. Mr.. Vivian drop
ped his book, and starting from his
carved chair, advanced to the window.
AS he flung up the sash, he recognized
in the wild, white creature outside one
Of the servants at Wolfsden.
do you wish to see Mr.. Heron?" he
asked, kindly
| She clutched the sill with nervous
hands.
mo. I would as soon speak to you
as to Mr.. Heron"
| GO round to the porch then, and I
will open the door to you"
81 haven't time, sir. You must lis
ten to me here. If I speak above a
whisper, 1 may be overheard. For
Gods sake, bend down your head a
little, sir!"
| He looked greatly surprised, but he
bent, as she asked.
With her dark face close to his, Jael
painted:
you must watch tonight, sir, and
not sleep. Tell Mr.. Heron to discharge
his groom Jake immediately-tell him
to look out for the money in the strong
box-the money that he drew from the
bank today. Keep the dog Cossack
under your own eyes, and see that all
the windows above the porch are dou-
bly, locked tonight"
"Jael!" said Graham Vivian, who
sent you to me with this warning?"
"As the Lord lives-nobody, sir!"
II should be very dull If I did not
comprehend you. There's a robbery
afoot. You have, then, ventured here
of your own accord, and at your per-
sonal peril, maybe, to give information
of it!
| She pressed one hand to her heart.
Personal peril? l care nothing for
that, sir. My feet would not take me
past the gate of Heroncroft till you
were warned. I say these things to
you, because 1 must-because cannot
keep silent-something is tearing the
words from me-believe, sir, that
would speak them, if they cost me my
my life before morning."
| 81 do believe it," he replied.
Now you must let me go, sir, with
out another question. You know who
l am-you know that 1 belong, body
and SOUL to the Blackbirds."
my poor girl, do not say that"
ITS true, sir 1 am more wicked
than you can think. Do as 7 have bid
den you and keep my visit here a Sc
1'cret. especially from Jake, tue groom