Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-11

Farewell, Miss Dee" 1 answered
calmly. Il have known you from the
first, in spite Of your disguise-in spite
of Colonel Rivers's story. You vowed
vengeance upon me months ago at
Nine. Deland's school. Now you have
it! 1 acknowledge myself outwitted,
beaten-farewell."
Then l went out from that house,
where had been so petted and fiatter-
ed-so loved and hated-its door closed
behind mel descended, with Francis
Heron, to the garden.
There 1 turned once and looked back,
like Eve at the gate of her Eden. AS
my eyes wandered along the dust
brown front of the mansion, espicd
at an upper window the long, pale face
of my arch-enemy pressed to the pane,
eagerly watching my departure. Did
she suspect that I was about to take
shelter at Heroncroft? Even at that
distance, l felt that she was discon-
certed, displeased, alarmed.
Without a word Heron plunged into
the shrubbery. l, quite as silent, kept
pace beside him as best / could. 1t
was high noon. Not soul was abroad
in the garden-even Martin had van
ished. We went down through the
pine woods, where furry rabbits
scrampered, and birds sang, and Gle
mats flung its greenish-white fetters
from bough to bough, and so came to
Heron's own boundary.
Shake the dust of Wolfsden from
your feet" he said, as he opened a gate
in the dividing WALL and held wide
for me to pass through.
Along some trim paths bordered with
old fashioned box, we approached the
house. 1t stood up, in the still noon,
peaceful, kindly, secure, with its warm
red bricks glowing in the sun, and the
great sentinel pear-trees droppi G. gol-
den fruit on the garden borders. At
sound of our footsteps, a cloud Of white
and purple wings famed up from
the smooth lawns, and melted away in
the dazzling blue beyond the chimney
stacks. From the porch the hound
Cossack arose fawning-he no longer
regarded me as an intruder. Heron
opened the door, and turning OH his
threshold, said: Welcome to Heron
croft, Miss Ferrers." And l foun my
self in a hall where all kinds of mascu-
line articles were thrown careleSsly
about, and a motherly old woman the
housekeeper-hurried forward To re-
ceive me.
The lawyer has come from Black
River sir" she said to Heron; "he is
waiting above stairs"
Heron swept a chair free from
gloves and riding whips, and motioned
me to its cushions.
Pour a glass of wine for Miss Fer
rers," he said to the housekeeper.
"She has not strength for the crucial
tests of this day. Has the judge ask
ed for her in my absence?"
Yes, sir. He is failing fast
think" in a meaning tone, you had
better make all the speed you can, sir
Heron forced me to taste the wine,
Then we prepared to ascend to Judge
Ferrerss chamber.
II fear my grandfather was made Ill
by the sight of me last night" l fall
tered.
| "No," answered Heron. For months
his health has been failing. He is now
about to write his will-how, l cannot
say. l do not even know whether his
heart has softened to you or not, but
the fact that he desires your presence
at his deathbed seems to be favorable
omen. OF one thing | feel certain-thiS
hour will decide everything for you
either you will now win your rightfu
inheritance, or lose it forever"
II must tell Judge Ferrers OF what
stand accused Of" l said desperately;
"he shall know the worst
Hush! you will tell him nothing
replied Heron. would you slay youl
last chance?" And he hurried me up q
shallow stair, and across Il landing, tc
the chamber where my grandfather lay
dying. For it had come to that. The