Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-15

bursting at that moment through the
mists, shone down upon us mockingly;
a rising wind whirled a cloud of dead
leaves about our feet.
"She has gone with Colonel Rivers!"
I gasped.
He grew deadly pale.
Miss Carbury must be with them"
THAT foolish old woman" answer
ed, with a thrill Of dismay; "of what
good is she? Francis Heron ought to
be told at once"
Graham set his teeth.
Yes. AS her kinsman, he has right
to inquire into this affair. Miss Pole
might resent my interference, or
yours" He looked me full in the eyes.
Did you ever think that in Pitt Rivers
your friend had lover, as well as a
guardian"
Through all the events Of the last few
weeks 1 had faithfully kept Colonel
Rivers's secret. But now, for the first
time, l related the tragic story Of the
ball night.
Graham listened in visible agitation.
"On this terrace" I said, "here-just
where we stand-I heard Rivers declare
his passion. I saw Sergia lying in his
arms, bleeding and senseless. have
never seen her since, but Jael knows
about it-Jael might, If she would, tell
us who the Blackbird was that made
the assault"
Graham drew his breath sharply.
And she rejected Colonel Rivers?"
Yes; but he urged her without mer-
cy. Oh, l felt at the time that she
could never escape him; and now-has
he persuaded her against her will, Gra-
ham?-has he carried her away by
force, like some villain of romance?"
My poor little Hazel, why did you
not tell this story before? Anything
as serious as an attempt on Miss Poles
life should never have been concealed,
even at her guardians command
A sudden sound, somewhere in the
air over our heads, cut short his words.
1t was a long drawn scream of dis
tress-a far, faint cry, proceeding from
l know not what quarter. Like some
invisible presence, it seemed to hang
high above us for an instant, and then
pass on into space, and die, with a dis
tant, dismal echo.
What was that?" l said, breathless-
ly.
"a human voice." replied Graham,
looking up at the dust brown walls and
closed shutters. 1T came from this
house."
"Oh, impossible!" said I. "The place
is deserted
From the sky, then," he answered.
I'VE may hear it again-listen!"
But we waited in vain for a repetition
Of the strange, lamentable sound.
"Come away, Graham" shivered at
last. 81 dare not stay longer-there is
something uncanny here"
True" he answered, dryly. Look
yonder;" and 1 looked, and saw Joe
Bagley standing in the chestnut walk
below the terrace, staring up at us,
with brazen effrontery in his narrow
eyes.
"Wolfsden is as empty as a last
years birds nest, parson," he called to
Graham. "Everybody's cut and gone!"
"Where?" asked my brother, sharply.
DANCED If | can tell" replied the
Blackbird, in an injured tone; sis that
a reasonable question, sir-how would
it be expected that I should know?'
Because you have peculiar talent
for finding out the affairs of the Wolfs-
den household, Joe"
The Blackbird thrust his hands into
his pockets, and whistled softly.
Il was passing by the gate just now,'
he said, with his perennial grin, "and
fancied there was something uncom-
monty quiet about the place, so 1 walk
ed in to look at it. The stable is lock-
ed, and the house likewise-I'm bless
ed If there's so much as q cat left on
the premises.
"Then I do not see why you or
should linger here" said Graham. calm
ly. "GOodby, joe" He stood waiting
for Mr.. Bagley to depart. The Black