Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-18

don't think Of me-attend only to poor
Jael."
She clung to him, fearless, half stu
pefied, crying out, "Oh, my hero! my
hero!" until Francis Heron, sick at
heart, interfered and drew her gently
away. !
A physician had accompanied the
party to the house. All that medical
skill could do was promptly done. In
the oak library a bed had been pre-
pared for Jael. There she was laid ten
derly. The physician bent, looked In
the CHASTITY face, shining under the
rich black hair, and shook his head.
"She will not last till SUNRISE" he
said.
A little group of sorrowful friends
surrounded the girl, and in silence
waited for the call which would sum-
mon her to cross a darker, deeper riv-
er than that which flowed by Heron's
ruined mills.
About midnight wretched, tottering
old woman appeared at the door Of
Heroncroft, and begged permission to
see Jael.
she's a-dying, hear" moaned Sal
Bagley, "and twas Joe that did the
deed Take me to her-the baby that
l brought up as my own. Lord! Lord!
1 warned her many times; I said she
would come to this, If she 'peached,'
but she wouldn't listen to me. Oh, my
poor lady-bird, with the high look and
the brave heart!'
Touched by her anguish, Francis
Heron permitted Joe Bagley's mother
to enter the room, where the uncon-
scious girl was breathing her life away.
Beating her bony breast with pair Of
withered hands, old Sal sank at the
foot of the bed, a heap Of rags and
wordless misery. There she remained,
unobstrusive and well-nigh unnoticed,
as the hours went by.
The approach Of dawn brought a
sudden stir into the room. A bird in
the garden burst into jubilant song.
The sound seemed to arouse Jael. Her
dark eyes Enclosed. She looked eagerly
around upon her watchers. The face
that she sought was not amongst them.
"Mr. Vivian" she said-"I want Mr..
Vivian"
Old Sal crawled to the girls side,
and stroked her hand.
Don't you know me, lady-bird?" she
quavered. Speak a word to Sal
Mother Sal, as always loved you in her
poor way, dearie!"
But Jael, unheeding, urged: Call Mr..
Vivian. promised that he should
know the truth, and l must not break
my word"
They hastened to Vivian with the
girls message. Nothing could hold him
then-neither the awful agony Of his
injuries, fever, weakness, nor the en-
treaties of the physician. So strong
arms carried him to the oak library,
and put him down by Jaers bed, where
he could grope and find her already
cold hand.
II am here, Jael!" he said.
He seemed to rise above his physical
tortures, and conquer them for her
sake.
She gave a piteous cry as she looked
at him.
"Oh," she said, "all this was for me!
You periled your life for mine-you will
wear the mark of this night while you
live. How strange! Hold both my
hands-hold them fast-it gives me
courage. The night you found me in
the loft, l said that when my doom
came l would tell you the secret which
binds me to the Blackbirds. You re-
member?'
Yes" he answered.
Heron and his pale young wife were
standing on either side Of the behold
Sal shivered at it's foot; the other at
tendants had left the room.
Mr.. Heron called you my best
friend, sir" Jael went on. feebly. you
have paid dear for your right to the
name"
Don't speak of it." he answered. "My
poor, brave girl, l would suffer the