Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-07

Gus, looked in upon US for moment,
but speedily vanished. Mrs. Van Vert
talked solely of her diamonds-she
was inconsolable for their loss. After
all the light and music and joy Of the
night, such a morning seemed doubly
wretched.
At close Of the meal the gentlemen
went off to the billiard room, over the
stables, and ascended to Sergia's )
chamber, and raped softly. Jael OPEN
ed the door. The seemed to shrink a
little at sight Of me.
May 1 come in?" whispered. She
put her finger on her lip.
Impossible. Miss Pole Is still asleep
it will not do to disturb her."
AT least" 1 pleaded, "let me look at
her dear face for one moment, Jael. I
will be very quiet You see, have not
really been told anything about her
hurt! What is the meaning Of all this
secrecy"
The handsome giantess filled the
opening of the door, so that 1 could not
look beyond her, and holding me thus
at bay, she answered, calmly:
ASK me no questions, mi5s-1 have
my orders, and must obey them. No
body can see Miss Pole without Colonel
Rivers's permission. She has a slight
fever, the doctor says, and must not be
agitated in any way"
"Oh!" whispered, then doctor has
been called?"
"Of course-last night, at the time
of the-the accident. You may rest
quite easy about your friend, miss, for
Miss Carbury is nursing her."
1 went meekly away to the garden,
to mediate little by myself The
person who had stabbed Sergia, and
the purloiner of Mrs. Van Wert's jew
els, must, 1 thought, be one and the
same party. Doubtless Colonel Rivers
suspected this fact, and had assured
the widow that her diamonds were at
Wolfsden, simply to pacify her. From
the strict silence which he maintained
regarding Sergia, 1 felt sure that he
had some scheme of his own afoot for
the punishment Of the guilty party, and
that he meant to work 1t out success
fully before the day was done. Every
body placed implicit confidence in Col
onel Rivers-why should not I?'
AS reached the long avenue stretch
90 hn ioh- r.
riage stopped at the gate, and Gwen
Talcott alighted, and joined me under
the chestnut tree.
More robberies at Wolfsden?" she
began. "Is this thing to go on forever,
like Tennysons Brook? A murder
would be more diverting"
L could hardly refrain from telling her
that we had barely escaped one on the
preceding night. In a lively tone she
continued
knowing that Sergia was i'll, hur-
ried to Wolfsden to assist in keeping
your spirits up. You must find it very
disagreeable to remain in a house that
is constantly beset with thieves and
marauders."
"Sergia Is here" I answered, smiling;
"her presence would reconcile me to
anything"
Dear me! How you do love that
GIRL l wonder If she returns your af-
fection in full. Look! who Is this par
ty coming with the colonel?"
l looked, and saw Pitt Rivers advanc-
ing up the Chestnut Avenue with-yes,
it was detective. He had telegraphed
to town for his man, and waited at the
Black River Station till his arrival. The
colonel bowed silently as he passed us
by. We turned to gaze after him, and
both shivered.
UGH" said Gwen; Il feel the pres
ence of tragedy! 1t would now be a
relief to know beyond doubt that the
Blackbirds did steal Mrs. Van Werts
diamonds. Ridiculous woman! why
did she bring such jewels to a country
house, and worse yet, leave them ex-
posed on her dressing table over night?
Serves her right to lose them, say II"
We loitered uneasily in the Chestnut
Walk for space, then joined the resi-
of the household in the drawing room.
Colonel Rivers and the detective were
closeted with Mrs. Van Vert and her
maid. The very air seemed throbbing
with intense expectation.
1T is quite as oppressive as a thun-
derStOrm" said Gwen Talcott "My
curiosity has reached fever heat.
certainly must stay by till the search