Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-03-26
CHAPTER VII.
Hazel Speaks.

BLACK River!" shouted the conduc-
tor.
The train slackened speed, and puff
ing and groaning, rumbled up to a lit
tie station, where lights were shining
upon long, wet platform, and the
wind hummed among lines of telegraph
wires overhead. I gathered up my
wraps and parcels and arose to leave
the car.
was on my way to Wolfsden, and
Sergia, in obedience to an imperative
message received from my friend,
few days after Aunt Ferrers's death.
By all our love for each other she con-
iured me to come to her Immediately.
She wrote:
Darling Hazel:-You must not both
er your head about bread-winning at
present. I should like nothing better
than to place my own purse at your
disposal, but I know your pride, and
have small hope that you will accept
favors, even from those who love you.
Come, and together we will discuss
your future at Wolfsden.'
So there l was, at the Black River
station, on a murky summer eve, gaz-
ing anxiously about for Sergia, VINO
had promised to meet me on the arrival
of the express from town.
Immediately espied her, hurrying
across the platform, with a strange
gentleman at her side.
We rushed into each others arms;
some tears were shed, some words OF
coincidence uttered, during which time
the gentleman considerably turned his
face away. Then Sergia drew me for
ward. and presented her guardian, Col
onel Pitt Rivers.
He was slender in figure, elegant
rather than powerful. There was no
thread Of gray in his chestnut hair
and pointed Vandyke beard-no line
of care or sorrow on his handsome,
smiling face. He had the air Of a bril-
liant, accomplished man Of the world.
For my sake" said Sergia, smiling,
You twain must become fast friends
at once"
AS Colonel Pitt Rivers took my hand
in both his own, and looked down upon
me with eyes of kindly interest, I did
not wonder that Sergia had exhausted
so many adjectives upon him.
From this moment" he answered,
lightly, Miss Ferrers may ask what
she will of me, and 1t shall be done.
With my whole heart 1 welcome her
| to Black River. Now, let us go. Mar
tin will take care of the baggage"
He led the way to a carriage, where
in a frizzled, fussy old lady was seat
ed with a fat pug in her arms. She
leaned and kissed me on the cheek.
Il am Miss Carbury, Sergia's chape-
ron" she said, kindly. Being very
curious to see you. my dear, asked
permission to come to the station with
| the others"
Martin, the servant, stood holding
| the horses-a pair of stylish cobs. Col
onel Rivers assisted me to place be-
side Miss Carbury.
Sergia occupied the front seat with
her guardian. The latter took the lines
from Martin, and we went rolling away
from Black River station.
The night was now falling darkly.
The carriage lamps made a fleeting
yellow glimmer in the pools Of water
that seemed to fill the road-a very un-
even road, inclining to sharpe ascents
and miry hollows. The clustering
lights of town winked on the right
hand and the left. Miss Carbury ca
ressed her pug in the carriage corner
making his collar of silver bells Jingle
and began at once to converse with me.
| MY dear child, Sergia has talked of
you necessarily. You will be a well
come addition to our little circle OF
guests. l hope you may like Black Riv-
er.-I do not. Could l have my way,
would leave tomorrow for Saratoga or
Newport but duty to Serga keeps
me here, and the presence Of Colonel
Rivers makes the place seem safe and
tolerable to me-"
Rivers, on the front seat Of the car
riage, turned and answered over his
shoulder:
Don't try to prejudice our new ar