Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-03-26
CHAPTER vi.
Hazel Speaks


school. Madame was indisposed' anu
had given everybody holiday. Or all
the pupils, 1 only remained, to wander
forlorn and lonely about the deserted
establishment, and wish that l, too'
had home and kindred.
Sergia Pole had been carried OH os
friends Of her father, to some aristo-
cratic Beacon street house, shouio
NOT sea her again till nightfall. pict-
ured to myself, not without pang OF
envy. the pleasant things that were
sure to befall her with those grand
Boston people. My heart cried out Tor
q share in the common joys or life' In
the raw, dubious afternoon, depressed
with many hours Of loneliness, stole
into madame's sitting room, and seated
myself by the dying fire, as wretcheo
as Cinderella before the fairy godmoth-
er appeared.
"Who. In all the world, cares for my
birthdays?" I unused. For six years
have been at the school. Will the whole
of INV life be as colorless and monot-
onous as the present time? l want
home and friends and pleasant things,
like other girls-I want to belong TO
somebody. 1t is dreadful to be alone
The twilight Of the raw spring day
was already creeping into the room.
The clock ticked monotonously. De-
1ected and tired, curled myself up In
the same arm chair in which Sergla
had first found me at school, and fell
not to weeping. as in the old time, but
fast asleep, with my cheek pillowed on
fits cushion.
How long 1 remained unconscious l
cannot say. 1t was a smothered ex-
clamation at my elbow that first start
led me-a decidedly masculine exclama
tion-'.By Jove!" And then somebody
bent over the arm chair and kissed me
on the lips! A more amazing thing
could not have happened under the roof
of Mime. Deland! I started up.
At my side stood a man. young, lean,
muscular, with a thin, dark, sallow
face, and iron-gray eyes sharp as gim-
lets. He wore a long overcoat, and
held his hat in his hand. 1 had seen
the face before, but in the confusion
and dismay of the moment failed to
recognize 1t.
"Sir!" I gasped, Indignantly.
81 beg a thousand pardons!" he
stammered. I am Francis Heron. I
mistook you for-for-Mtss Pole-Ser-1
gia, you know!"
st am not in the least like Sergia,'
1 answered, with open scorn. 1T Is
not possible that any person with eyes
could make such blunder!"
There was something peculiarly
bright and exasperating in his look.
None but a supremely stupid fellow
like myself. Miss Ferrers. 1 saw your
hand on the arm Of the chair-you
wear a ring Of Sergias-your face was
averted-I thought Of the story Of the
Sleeping Beauty-and, pom my soul,
the deed was done before l had time to
realize its enormity."
regarded Sergia's betrothed and my
grandfather's favorite with ill-conceal-
ed indignation.
This is my birthday" I answered,
coldly, "and the ring on my hand is
gift received from Sergia this very
morning. The servant at the door
should have told you that your cousin
Is not here--friends came for her hours
ago, and carried her away to town"
Then I must make haste to look
her up" said Francis Heron. Il am
the bearer of bad news. Her father,
my uncle, is dead at Nice, and Colonel
Pitt Rivers a friend with whom he had
become very intimate abroad, will bring
home the body. l am sent to tell Ser
gia this. Will you have the goodness
to inquire If I may see Nine. Deland
for a moment?"
Certainly" l answered, and was
turning toward the door, when he put
himself before me with an air Of hum
BILE entreaty.
Pray, pray forgive mel" he plead
ed. ION my honor, when kissed you
just now, had no idea that the Sleep
ing Beauty before me was Miss Hazel
Ferrers. Perhaps you noticed that you
could have knocked me down with a
feather, as you arose and turned on me
that face which l saw years ago in
Judge Ferrers's city house, and I have
never Forgotten
/ waited for nothing more, but ran
to madame's room. Ill though she was,
she arose and went downstairs for an
interview with Mr.. Heron.
Sergia did not return to the school
that night saw her no more for
weary weeks She was with relatives
and friends, who would comfort and
console her in her trouble. With a
pang Of jealousy l reflected that she
did not need me at such a time. She
had family connections and betrothed
lover. She was now the possessor of
a great fortune, also. Ay, Sergia would
not need me.
The next few months were the long
est and saddest Of my life. The loss
Of my one familiar friend oppressed
and saddened me greatly. Her letters
were fond but brief. She would never
return to the school as a pupil-she
was done with schools; but she would
come to see me soon, and tell me all
that had befallen her, for she loved me
as dearly as ever, and missed me sadly,
even in the midst Of her kindred and
CONSIDERS.
With what feverish longing l waited
for that promised visit! One day, in
the late spring. Sergia came. 1 was
summoned to the reception room, and
clasped once more in her dear, beauti-
full arms.
Her mourning dress enhanced her
dazzling fairness. She had acquired
new grace and elegance in our brief
separation. An indescribable air of
finish hung about her. Verify, Sergia,
had no further need of schools. In this
wise she opened her heart to me:
Colonel Pitt Rivers is now my legal