Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-25

what would she think Of him, in his
darkness and helplessness? A sudden
chill shook the mans powerful frame.
Involuntarily he arose, and started to-
ward the fire, which he could hear
cracking on the hearth. Some article
Of furniture blocked the way. He stum-
bled. Instantly hand grasped his own
"a fine, soft hand, ringed with Jewels.
and warm as a nesting dove. Gently
1t guided him around the barrier, and
forward, till he felt the warmth Of the
blaze. He heard a soft, rustic Of fem
mime garments; the odor Of jacquemi-
not roses saluted his nostrils.
Hazel, Is 1t you?" he asked, In a
startled tone.
mo-" a faint voice faltered, 1T is
not Hazel"
He put out his hand, touched a soft,
throbbing throat-some coils of silky
-hair-a bowed head. -..--.--4--,...---
"Sergia!"
"Yes. For weeks and months I have
longed to come-to tell you how sorry
am for-for all that has befallen you.
Oh, whatever can you think Of me, Mr..
Vivian? have been so weak, so fool
ish! But" palpitating, as IL with sud-
den fear, perhaps you have not
thought of me at ALL"
"Since our first meeting" he answer
ed, there has not been a day-an hour
when I have not thought Of you, Ser
gia."
He could not see the beautiful, peni-
tent face, the violet eyes overlooking
with tears, but he heard her breath
coming and going in little gasps.
you give me courage. I feared you
might reproach me-"
How could I do that? You were
more sinned against than SHINING"
"You Judge me very kindly. I had
been cruelty deceived. Nobody would
tell me the truth-everythins had been
kept from my ears; and that dreadful
day, when I saw you and Hazel, at the
window of this very room-when
thought you had become her lover-oh,
1 did not care, then or afterward, what
happened to mel"
The flame, leaping joyfully up the
chimney, shone on his agitated face,
and over the fair woman humbly kneel-
ing at his feet. Before he could COL
lect himself to answer those last thrill
ing words, she hurried on:
81 know the story Of your heroism
and patience. Your fame Is on many
lips, your name in many hearts. AS
look at you today, do not feel worthy
to touch your hand"
"Hush!" he implored, in a pained
voice "You shame me, Sergia. I have
done nothing worthy Of such praise.
Life would become intolerable, IL
could not make 1t useful"
ooh, Graham! You who are so gen.
erous, so good to every one, say that
you forgive me for the past"
There Is nothing to forgive" he an
swered, brokenly THAT night-on the
river-you simply did not love me.
Can I blame you for that?"
"I did love you!" she replied, wildly;
"I have loved you ever since-I shall
love you till 1 die! I am on my knees
before you, Graham. Will you force me
to unsex myself, and beg-beg for a
place in the heart which you once Of
fered me, and which I, cruel alike to
myself and to you, refused to take?"
"Sergia, are you mocking me? You
see what am. Would you link your
fate to that Of a blind man."
Yes, yes, for love him!"
"Your friends would cry out, and
with good reason, against such a sac
rifice. You belong to the world"-
Mono! To you, and you only!"
In his great darkness, he leaned and
gathered all her shining, tremulous
loveliness straight up to his heart.
After much peril and torment, she had
turned back to that safe shelter, as the
OOVe ITOIn OVeTWllcliliiib "oeStS, ~ s''>
windows of the ark.
She is the sharer of all his labors
today-his devoted helpmeet, the light
Of his blind eyes.
At Heron's Mills the river flows pla-
cidly, and the work people go peace
fully in and out at their daily tasks.
Nobody talks of the Blackbirds now
With the death of Langstroth and the
woman who was Jaels mother, the once
notorious tribe ceased to exist.
In a quiet cemetery at Black River
there is a grave always carefully tend
ed, and never without some wreath OF
loving remembrance. A marble cross
with the word Jael cut thereon, stands
at its head, and marks the last resting
place Of George Langstroth's daughter
At Heroncroft fair-haired children