Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-28
Sergia.
dreams!

In a dim cool chamber at WolISueh'
Sergia Pole, carefully secluded from all
knowledge Of the outer world-uncon-
scious of the events transpiring just
beyond the four walls Of her room
was making fair progress toward re-
covery.
A few days of fever; then the ugly
knife wound in her shoulder, received
in that strange assault on the terrace
ceased to throb and burn like live
coal; strength succeeded weakness;
Sergia began to mend.
A physician from Black Rivera dis
Greet and silent man-came and went
daily; Miss Carbury was Installed as
nurse, and Pitt Rivers watched by the
side of his ward with tenderness and
devotion passing that Of woman.
When Sergia asked for others that she
knew and loved, Miss Carbury assured
her that the doctor had forbidden all
excitement in the sick-chamber, and by
his orders it's door was locked against
the rest of the household.
AS the girl grew stronger, her COM
plants became louder.
Where Is Hazel? ! want Hazel!"
she said why does she not come to
me? She must know that I am Ill.
And what have you done with Jael?
The house seems very ill. / lie and
listen, but / can hear no one moving
anywhere"
1--WE have been obliged to dismiss
Jael," answered Miss Carbury, with
some confusion, because Of her close
connection with the Blackbirds. And
Hazel has left usher grandfather sent
for her-she has gone to live In his city
home. You will hear the story by and
by. Mrs. Van Vert and the professor,
too, are gone-such a fitting! Wolfs-
den is now deserted. But all the bet
ter for you, my dear-no disturbing
things are left in the house, and you
have only to think Of getting we'll as
soon as possible"
On the day following Judge Ferrers's
burial Francis Heron presented HIM
self at the door of Wolfsden, and asked
to see his cousin Miss Carbury met
him, and gently but firmly denied the
request.
TT is impossible for Sergia to receive
callers, even relatives, Mr.. Heron, till
she has recovered her strength" she
said. 81 am sure I told you this same
thing few days ago. Pray come again
"a week-a month hence"
"a month hence!" he echoed. How
kind Of you! I see that Colonel Rivers
has instructed you to deny me admit
tance to his house, Miss Carbury."
And like Naaman the Syrian, Heron
turned and went away in rage.
Pitt Rivers laughed when he heard
of his neighbor's discontinue.
Keep him off, by all means. Miss
Carbury," he cried. Il have repeatedly
told you that we must maintain strict
silence on the subject of Sergia's wound
not for worlds would 1 have Heron
know it. Fortunately, our physician Is
not above a bribe; l have sealed his
lips, and rely on you for the rest. The
good name Of Wolfsden has suffered
enough already. / cannot afford to
make public any more Of our mishaps.
Heron is my enemy. He will never for
give me the unlucky affair Of the rob-
berry. 1 must forbid further intercourse
betwixt him and Sergia-her mind shall
not be poisoned against me by that
man. Keep Hazel Ferrers's marriage
from her ears, and everything else that
has occurred at Heroncroft."
Trust me, colonel" answered Miss
Carbury, bristling with Importance.
Francis shall not see his cousin with
out your permission. 1 dare say he Is
your enemy. When one comes to think
of it, he has behaved uncivilly to us all.
What names he called you to your face!
And you-ah! you showed him the for
bearance of an archangel! l 90 not
consider that he has any right to In
trude at Wolfsden. Are you not the
guardian chosen by Sergia's father?
AS such, it is your duty to take COM
plete charge of the girl"
The colonel was in high spirits-his
fine, brown eyes sparkled.
wonderful woman!" he cried, ten
derly pressing her delicate old hand
You please me so much that l feel
impelled to admit you into my full con-
fidence. We cannot stay much longer
in this internal danger-pit-that Isl
mean-Wolfsden Imperative business
calls me to London and Paris. l must
take Sergia with me. OF course, you
will go also. We will winter in Italy
and Egypt You have never been
abroad, neither has my ward. l will
make an Eden for her-for you-on the
other side of the world. 1t is time for
me to retire from life. l am sick OF
risks and perils"-smiling. Il long for
love and security. All my plans are
laid; but" putting a finger on his
bearded lip. "this is great secret-you
are not to speak Of 1t, even to Sergia-
at least-not yet"
"Oh, I will be as mute as fish!
murmured Miss Carbury. in ecstasy.
How delightful Of you! 1t Will be tar
easier to go abroad than to entertain
at home this coming winter. Dear!
dearl such a letter as / received today
from Mrs. Van Vert! She left Wolfs-
den. you know. because she was secret
" troubled about her diamonds, for
she more than half believed Francis
Heron's story from the start. So she
hurried with her jewels to lapidary,
and what do you Think"
1.-The man, if he knew anything. as
sured her that Heron had lied"
"Oh. dear no! He said the gems
were indeed paste-bracelets, necklace,
girdle. everything; and new she vows
to move heaven and earth to discover
the thief. Is 1t possible, colonel, that
Jael could have changed the diamonds.
He laughed, as if greatly amused.
Ridiculous! Jael was never clever
enough for such a delicate job. Mrs.
Van Vert wrote me in the same absurd
vein. answered her that the theft
must have been accomplished previous
to her Wolfsden visit. and advised her