Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-14
CHAPTER XIV.
The Author Speaks.

ron laid the dead man gently uoWh oi
the nillows. took the hand Of his new
made bride, and drew her toward the
door.
Come away" he said.
passively she submitted to be leo
from the room-from the curious stare
of STRANGER eyes-into an adjoining
anartment which, fortunately, was
emntv There, with a sudden reVulsion
of feeling, she broke from her BRIDE
groom. She seemed to awake WITH
shock from her stupor-to realize In
moment all that she had done. Her
face grew cold and white, as Win
some great despair.
"yon have taken a contemplate ad-
vantage of my misfortunes! she pant
ed 81 will never forgive you, FRANCIS
Heron!"
He staggered a little under this un-
expected attack.
.eyou might be reasonable-you might
be CIVIL" he said.
Rut she was neither. With wild up
braiding she went on:
.I am not your wife-the words OF
a preacher cannot make me that. On
7 see II all! With the help OF that
dreadful old man, now dead, you nave
caught me in a trap-you were leagued
with him to destroy the last remnant
OF my peace. You brought me from
Wolfsden that might fall into the pit
which you two had digged for me
here!"
He grew deadly pale.
"How can you say such things, Ha-
eel? Were not your enemies all at
wolfsden, and your friends at Heron
croft?"
mo, no Sergia is not, and never can
be, my enemy. She had no part IN my
accusation, and she could not defend
me because she was ILL.,
He bit his lip.
Pardon mel forgot Sergia- Judge
Ferrers bade me fetch you to Heron
croft. 1 acted solely for your inter-
ests. You will do me the justice to be-
lieve this, when you have time for re-
fiection."
"Refection!" she echoed. Heaven
forbid that I should reflect! meant
to have been so happy" throwing out
her beautiful arms. Il was so happy
only yesterday, and now I am wretch
ed-wretched!"
Heron stood staring at the girlish fg-
ure, in its hopeless attitude-at the
maddening young face, round which
the dusky hair fell in disordered beau
ty. Had he acted unselfishly that day?
Not altogether, perhaps Her next out
break cut him like knife.
why did you marry me?" she cried.
How could you marry me, Francis
Heron, when you knew did not and
never would care for you?"
He hung his head.
why does a starving man accept
bread?" he answered bitterly, "or the
thirsty drink? l married you-1 may
as we'll confess it-because l loved you
so madly that I was glad to lake you
in any way-because l would rather
have your indifference than another
woman lONS. Juu6C Pes S"->
opportunity before me-not all the
powers of earth could have kept me
from seizing it,
Her great dark eyes filled with pas
sionate scorn.
Don't talk to me like this-I will not
hear you!" she cried.
He drew his breath hard.
You still love Sir Griffin Hope
wood"
WAS I not his promised wife," she
answered defiantly. Can one forget
in an hour?"
But he believed you guilty Of theft
he deserted you in your greatest need"
She WINGED.
Even such things do not kill love. l
cannot help it," drearily; his shadow
Is more to me-more-more than
world full Of Francis Herons. In spite
Of this dreadful marriage, I must love
him till die"
His treatment of you seems hardly
to justify such devotion" said Heron,
in a cold, labored voice. However, l
will not quarrel with your taste, Hazel.
will only remind you that / have
helped you to gain your inheritance-at
least, you might thank me for that"
What do / care for an inheritance
that comes to me under circumstances
like these?-that imposes upon me such
bonds? The bitterness of death is in
it."
Convulsed with sobs, she cast herself
PROSTATE on the floor, like heart
broken child.
Heron lifted her up and put her upon
a sofa.
1T is too late to repent or retract,'
he said, hoarsely. I'VE are now hus-
band and wife. have one task to ac-
complish, Hazel-to prove your inno-
cence to your Wolfsden friends, and to
-yes-to Sir Griffin Hopewood; then,
setting his teeth, you need never see
my face again. l will put the world
betwixt us. Because you have married
me, do not fear that 1 shall presume to
control either you or your future move
ments"
She lay face downward on the pillows
of the sofa, and answered not word.
He waited a moment, then went
quietly out, shutting the door upon her
and her utter ingratitude.
In the chamber of death Heron stop
ped long enough to give some neces-
sary orders to his servants, after which
he descended the stairs and in the hal
found Graham Vivian waiting for the
trap that was to take him to the Black
River Station. With a haggard, care
worn face, Heron went up to his friend
"All ready for departure, Vivian?"
Yes, my luggage has gone on before
me. shall be in time to catch the
last express to town."
Il dare say you little thought that
you would be called to officiate at my
marriage before you left" said Heron
with a ghastly smile.
1T was a surprise, certainly" replied