Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-03-19

ner QreSS were Ine same. f1eT NcH Wda
drawn aside, and under it could
see a projecting chin and eyes OF
queer topaz tint. She was gazing
breathlessly toward our cottage.
you are the person who threw the
paper to frighten mammal" I cried,
with unmistakable hostility. "Go
away!"
She withdrew her gaze from the
small house, and fastened it upon me.
Are you Constance Ferrers's daugh-
ter?" she asked, in a peculiarly soft,
refined voice.
YES" answered. go away, tell
you, or I will call Patty"
My threat did not move her. She
beckoned me with one gray-gloved
hand.
Come nearer!" she coaxed.
In a sort Of helpless fascination, l
obeyed. Through the gate her breath
smote my cheek, hot as flame.
"Tell your mamma" she whispered,
hoarsely, that the person she breads
most is on her track-tell her to fy!-
it's my last word to her!"
Then she turned and disappeared be-
hind the brick wall.
1 ran to the cottage. In a moment
my story was told.
Its just as we feared, ma'am,'
groaned Patty; I'VE must leave this
place tomorrow"
My mother, pale but composed, an
swered:
"Yes, we will find another home at
once"
Immediately the two began to pre-
oare for flight. From a few words
dropped by Patty, learned that Aunt
Ferrers had already secured shelter
for us in some distant, unknown place
That night, when our faithful ser
want was making me ready for bed, 1
said to her:
Patty, I want to tell you about my
grandfathers eyebrows; they stuck
out above his eyes, like hearth-brush.
He is a frightful old man-exactly like
an ogre in a fairy tale. Don't you
think it very sad to be a real heiress,
and have all ones money given over to
a yellow faced boy like Mr.. Francis
Heron?"
"Lor', Miss Hazel, your aunt declares
that Mr.. Heron tried to take your
part" answered Patty.
$50 he did; but I thought him de-
testable just the same. Patty, was my
father a bad MANI"
Goodness gracious! There you go
again! Didn't I tell you never to speak
Of that party to anybody, Miss Hazel?'
"You told me mamma would drop
dead If I mentioned him In her pres
ence; you don't mind such a trifie, do
you, Patty? 1 heard my grandfather
say that mammals marriage was
shameful. Yes, my father must have
been a very bad man."
Patty shut her lips and remained ST.
lent
Patty, I want to know who the gray
woman is that hangs about our gate"
'I shan't tell you," answered Patty,
resolutely. "Shes no good, you may
be sure Well give her the slip tomor-
row, dearie, and put you and your
mamma in a safe place; so go to sleep
now, and have no fear"
All that night I was tormented with
ugly dreams. At early dawn I awoke
The sky was dark and mutinous-a do
lorous wind moved in the garden-trees.
I dressed, and crept downstairs. Ny
mother and Patty had been up all
night, making ready for an early fit
ting. Signs of the same met me at
every step. Rooms gaped dismantled;
boxes, packed and strapped, choked the
passage. The door of our little par
lor stood ajar. l looked in, and saw
my mother sitting at a table, writing
by the last gleam Of failing lamp.
There were hollows under her soft
dark eyes. She looked pale and ex-
This room, like the rest OF
the house, was in a state Of disorder.
In the crate a few embers blinked
through gray ashes. AS I entered, my
mother looked up with a start, and laid
down her pen.
What! awake so early, Hazel?" she
said. II fear We have disturbed your
sleep, dear"
Where is Patty?" I asked.
Gone to the village, to find the
man who will take our goods away.
We may expect her back in few mo-
ments." And my mother looked wear
lily up at the clock.
Are you writing letters at this hour,
mammal"
"Only one" she answered, with a
wan smile, "to you, dear"
ITO me?" 1 echoed, amazed. May
1 read it?"
Not now," she replied, putting her
hand over the page. mot for years to
come, maybe. On this last night at
Lake Cottage, something urged me to
put certain things on paper, for your
future benefit, Hazel. The story Is not
wholly written, but 1 can finish it at
another time"
She arose from the table, and NOV
ing toward the window, pulled up the
curtain.
The garden stretched empty and
desolate under the dismal dawn. The
hush of a new birth was upon all
things. Night had departed, and day
was not yet come. I slipped my hand
into my mothers, as she stood, with
her pale, beautiful face pressed to the
pane, looking out on the gloomy dawn.
Shall we ever come back to this
place, mammal" / asked.
"No-oh, no."
Il hope the gray woman will not fol-
low us to another home"
"She will not. We shall be off be-
fore the world is astir-before prying
eyes have discovered our movements.
There! l hear some one at the door.
Patty has returned. Now We will gath
er up our few possessions and depart." I"
We had seen nobody in the garden