Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-18
HERON's WIFE.

By Eta w. PIERCE.
CHAPTER XIV.
loal

for some desperate struggle, Jaei stafeu
from face to face of the aghast group.
.I am the thief" she repeated, with
the shrillness of intense excitement.
.eMr Heron, you did well to believe In
your wife's innocence-yes, 1 was iis-
tening outside the door heard you
say that you had married Miss Ferrers'
She Is good, she Is blameless. l am the
sinner. and she the victim!
In the general CONSERVATION Pitt
R,vers was the first to find his speech.
With a serious air he advanced toward
the girl and simply spoke her name:
"Jael!"
His voice, always like his temper, un-
der perfect control, expressed nothing
but profound astonishment; neverthe-
less. the effect upon Jael was start
ling. Her boldness vanished; tremor
went over her tall figure. She drew
back a step, staring at Rivers In a sort
of frightened fascination.
"Jaeli" he said again, even more
gently than before.
She put out her hands as II to hoid
him of.
"1 will not unsay it," she half scream
ed. 'T will die first!"
"Unsay It? 1 should hope not, an
swered Colonel Rivers "Why did you
not speak before? Why did you suffer
us to acuse Miss Ferrers wrongfully?"
All the courage was gone from her
look-she shrank like terrified child.
Because / was a coward" she fall
tered, with chattering teeth; because
I was desperately afraid, sir; but"
with growing intensity, I'll speak now,
IL die for It! Mind, take all the guilt
on myself; I implicate no other person
Il stand alone, sir. Weeks ago, stole
Miss Carbury's money and jewels-rve
kept them in my possession ever since.
Her dog Punch knew me on the night
of the robbery, and so failed to bark
and waken her. I stole Mrs. van
wert's bracelets while she and her
maid were sleeping after the ball. I
entered her chamber by the door
through Annette's closet. I put the
things i'm Miss Ferrerss trunk that you
might fasten my wickedness on that
innocent girl. Give me over to the po-
lice-punish me as you LIKE do not
care what happens now!"
my poor Jael," said Colonel Rivers,
in a very grave tone, I'VE will decide
about your punishment later"
Then he turned to Heron. with the
air of a man who can hardly credit his
own senses.
'I never heard Of such an extraordi-
nary thing in my life!" he began. You
have me at your mercy, Heron. What
can I say-what do-to express my
modification and regret? 1t is useless
to hope that either you or the new Mrs.
Heron will be able to pardon the mon
strous blunder made by us today"
"Oh, poor Hazel" cried Miss Car
bury, wringing her hands in the deep
est contrition. Il will apologize upon
my knees, Mr.. Heron. We will all
apologize. To think that we should lay
the sins Of this brazen creature at her
door-it Is really too dreadful"
Mrs. Van Vert was looking at Jael
in what she meant to be a penetrating
fashion.
Your Blackbird lover, Bagley, must
be at the bottom of all this" she said.
mo, madam" dissented Jael, sharply.
Blame no one but me-accuse no one
h,,t po0lau Ennw nnfhfDc
about it."
Not till this moment had the colonel
betrayed any anger against the culprit;
but now hard, cold look came into his
face-he waved Jael imperatively to-
ward the door.
you have said enough-go to your
own quarters!" he commanded, land
remain there till Mrs. Steele returns
from the town. Then report to her
she will settle your accounts with you.
OF course, you leave my service imme-
diately."
With her eyes on the speaker, Jael
made a precipitate movement across
the threshold Of the drawing room. At
the name Of Mrs. Steele blank terror
overspread her face. She seemed to
see some sight of horror-some Damo-
clean sword spended-invisible to
others.
"Sir, sir!" she cried, in a wild. en-
treating way, don't send me to Mrs,
Steele-settle with me yourself-pun-
ish me yourself!" But Rivers made a
single gesture, as though taking final
leave of her. The door closed-Jael
vanished.
Francis Heron looked around on his
companions.
1T seems that the mystery Of the day
is solved" he said, dryly. Il would
like to ask if, in any mind here, doubt
is left concerning Hazel Ferrers's in
nocence?"
Pray do not humiliate us with such
a question" groaned Miss Carbury. 81
am sure we all feel as though We were
partners in Jael's guilt"
Even if Mrs. Heron should conde-
scend to forgive us. we can never for
give ourselves" said the colonel. Her.
on bowed coldly.
"As my task is accomplished" he
said, Il need not detain any Of you Ion
ger" And he took his hat and imme-
diately left the house.
Turning homeward through the
Wolfsden garden. Heron looked as he
feIt-deeply disturbed. Hazel was full
ly exonerated-her innocence, by the
unexpected aid of Jael. established be-
yond a doubt. But as he went he
mused:
Gracious Heaven! how that girls
face changed the instant she met Riv-
ers's serene eyes. and heard his silky
voice. What terrific power does he
WELD over her that his first word
should take all her courage like that:
And when he mentioned Mrs. Steele
the poor thing looked as if she had beer
ordered to report to Apollyon Of the
PITT
Something crashed suddenly through