Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-21
vivian's hat. Both men stopped shor

Some drunken striker, propapiy'
said Vivian.
Heron did not answer. A small white
object was cleaning in the dust or tn'
road, almost under his horses feet. HI
leaped down, and picked 1t up.
by Jove! a lady's handkerchief M
announced, feeling 1t carefully over
then he drew off his glove, and wipet
something wet from his cheek.
IF the aim of our friend had been
trifie better, Vivian, or the darkness
less baff1ing"-
1.-THE wife you welded at noon migh
be a widow tonight" added Vivian
gravely.
Heron drew heavy breath.
"And an easy way, too, out OF all my
difficulties" he muttered. "That bullet
rightly directed, would have cut Cor.
dian knot"
They rode on up the Hill to Heron.
croft, and dismounted at the stable
door.
What a day" exclaimed Heron. y
feel as though I had lived a century
since morning"
BY the light Of the stable lantern M
examined the handkerchief which M
had found on the hill. 1t was square
of finest fabric, with a border Of black
and the letter delicately embroidered
in one corner.
"Bravo!" said Heron; I'VE are get.
ting on! 1 will send this pretty
mouchoir to Mrs. Steele tomorrow witt
my compliments. I wonder II she un'
derstands the use Of a revolver-she Is
certainly a woman Of nerve. Dom
look so grave, Vivian-you must moi
be surprised now at anything whicf
happens at Black River. Come, 1t IL
ten by the clock, dear boy, and we have
not yet dined." They entered the house
Mrs. Blake met them in the hall.
"All your wife's belongings have beer
sent over from Wolfsden, sir" she saie
to Heron; Martin brought them"
"Good!" he answered. Il hope you
have tried to make Mrs. Heron comfor.
table"
1--WE given her the best guest cham.
ber, sir, and put the whole house. anc
everything in 1t, at her command. Sne
asked me to leave her to herseif-sne
doesn't wish to see any one tonight"
He nodded, and sat down with Vivian
to the long delayed dinner. Both were
thoroughly fatigued. They talked bu'
little, and In low voices. Above-stairs
Judge Ferrers was lying in the awful
silence and dignity Of death, and Hazel
the bride of a few hours, was there also
nursing, doubtless, her bitterness and
despair. House Of marria3e-house ol
death! Very sombre and lonely II
seemed.
After the meal, Vivian went away to
write letters, and Heron stepped Out
into the hall, and on to the deep fire.
place, where pine wood was laid. He
lighted the dry logs, and with a weary
sigh fell into a chair before the red
leaping blaze.
BY this time his message had reached
Sir Griffin. Heron smiled grimly, as ne
stared down at the roaring fire. He
was miserable enough, Heaven knew
but he instinctively felt that his owr
condition was bliss indeed compared
with the state of mind in which the
baronet must now find himself. II ne
did not blow his brains out at once
It would be because he knew nothing OF
the height and depth Of HazePs love
to count upon her prompt forgiveness
And Just then the moody watcher heard
sudden, soft rustic, and looking
quickly up, he saw Hazel herself NOV
ing toward him down the shallow OAK
stair.
She descended slowly-she seemed
little bewildered with the new
strange place in which she found her
self. He exquisite face was very pale
the dusky hair, full Of auburn lights
waved back from 1t in lustrous disor-
der. Heron started to his feet, hold
ing his breath.
At the movement, the pale bride
paused, and with one hand on the
railing of the stair, gazed down into the
old fashioned hall, at the chair by the
fire and that solitary man, who stood
staring up at her in helpless fascina-
ton.
"Is Jael found?" she asked. in a dis
tant but studiously composed voice.
mo" answered Heron.
Have you news Of her?"
"No"-unsteadily.
"She tried hard to be friendly will
me, but l was always afraid Of her
Mr.. Heron, I fear you have taken great
trouble to establish my innocence.
ought to thank you-of course, dc
thank you," rather wearily.
He had expected nothing half as kind
Her lovely, colorless face was like
star, bending to him from the abyss
of night He started toward her.
Hazel" he cried, vehemently, q!
want no thanks-to serve you Is re-
ward enough; but show me little-s
very little mercy! We are in no end o.
fix. Stop a moment and let us reason
together
Heron's voice betrayed the passion
that ragged within him. Hazel shranl
in sudden fear and aversion.
Don't touch me, Francis Heron!'
she shuddered, putting out her hands
to repel his advance Don't come
step nearer! cannot talk-I canno
reason-at least. not now. The sigh
Of you sickens-yes, kills mel"
She turned, and was gone in an in
slant up the stair. Heron. staggering
as IL he had received blow, went bacl
to his solitary chair, and looked agair
into the mocking, leaping fire.
| To be Continued.
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