Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-08

CHAPTER XXI.
Hazel Speaks.
When I reached Heroncroft II was
nearly noon. The carriage whicn nao
brought me from the station lett me
at the gate. knew that Francis Her
ON was absent from the place-perhaps
that knowledge made me bold to ad-
vance ND the drive, and open the main
door.
The hall was empty-even Cossach
had vanished. I went straight 10 the
library, and looked in.
At a table in the centre Of the room
sat Graham Vivian, writing rapidly.
At sight of me, he put down his pen'
and arose to his feet.
Mrs. Heron"-he began, but ran
up to him before he could say more
holding out the papers which he had
sent me on the previous night.
Did you read these?" I cried.
Certainly not" he answered. "Jaef-
"Oh, hush! Do not speak OF her
vet. MY fathers name was Graham
Viyian!-he died in prison by his own
hand. Somewhere have half-broth-
er of whose existence never knew un-
til today" I laid my mothers letter In
his hand. Read" I said. And ne
obeyed me, wondering.
The silence Of death reigned In the
room for a space; then he put down
the papers upon the table. He was
very pale, but his eyes shone with
sudden great light.
81 am the son Of that Graham WV
ian who killed himself in prison., ne
said. 81 was reared and educated py
my mothers people. With them my
father was a forbidden subject; so 1
knew nothing of his second marriage
save that he had brought to disgrace
and sorrow another woman, as inno-
cent and beautiful as my own mother
He opened his arms; I rushed into
them. 1t was quite true-we belonged
to each other. BY separate ways we
had arrived at this moment OF discoV-
ery and recognition, and having reach
ed 1t, neither could ever be alone or
loveless again.
Together we stood In the mellow
noontide which flooded the pleasant
oak room, hand clasped in hand, and
he told me the story Of his boyhood-
sheltered amongst maternal kindred
but shadowed always by the thought
of his father. He confessed how, as q
sensitive lad, the shame and reproach
Of the elder Vivian seemed to pursue
him everywhere, till at last, he deter
mined to renounce the world, and seek
to expiate in his own life, so far as
possible, the sins Of the man to whom
he owed his being. marveled to see
how from the shameful parent stem
had sprung a branch, strong, sound
how the son Of the professional
"cracksman" had consecrated himself
to all good works.
Then 1 told him my own story. 1
pointed to the words penciled at the
end Of my mothers letter.
These were written by Mrs. Steele"
I said: that woman, at least, knew
that you were my fathers son."
He looked extremely puzzled.
81 have no idea how she obtained
her knowledge"
"She keeps all our family secrets,
Graham. Years ago, she was well
aware of Langstroth's purpose to muir
der my mother" / clutched his arm In
sudden, nervous dread. THAT man Is
in America, even now, at large! To
him you and I owe all the sorrow Of
our lives"
told him about Gwen Talcotts vis-
it. He smiled, then grew very grave.
Have no personal fear Of LanSs-
troth, my poor child: Miss Talcott, l
am sure, is needlessly anxious. If he
has, indeed, ventured back to this part
of the country, his temerity will soon
bring him to grief. AS have already
told you, Hazel, my mothers people,
while they did not conceal from me the
story of my father, would never volun-
tarily speak of anything relating to
his crimes; and it came to pass that
I knew little about Langstroth till i
grew to manhood, and could search the
criminal records for myself. Often
have longed to stand with him face to
face; but"-quietly- perhaps 1t would
not be best. / might forget that
vengeance belongs to God, and not to
man."
/ pointed to the letter.
Notice that my mother speaks OF
her slayer as elegant in person and
manner-no common criminal, but to
all appearances a gentleman"
Yes. Do you remember the man, as
you saw him on the day Of her death?'
"Indistinctly, like something in a
nightmare. The tragedy at Lake Cot
tage was very sudden, and 1 was but a
child However, / am sure that he
answered to my mothers description.
His appearance was distinguished, his
face smoothly shaven Che had been re-
leased from PRISON., and there was a
curious scar on his jaw. / think-yes'
with increasing excitement-"I know,
Graham, that I would recognize the
monster instinctively should 1 ever
see him again"
Graham looked slightly incredulous.
Time makes havoc with mems
faces. God grant that your memory
may never be put to the test. But we
must not talk Of Langstroth any more
just now; the subject Is too terrible
for you to dwell upon, little girl-it
will poison all your peace" And then
with sudden embarrassment: 'You
have come to stay at Heroncroft,
hope?"
The question brought me to myself.
Certainly mott" / answered. my
sole purpose in intruding here today
was to claim you as my brother"
He looked disappointed.
But this cannot be called intru-
sion." he said. awkwardly. "You are
In Heron's house, and--he is your hus-
band-and the grandest fellow in the