Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-08-31
CHAPTER 1.
By ETA w. PIERCE

storm ON Iuc lOA6, AoaSS
stretching from the delectable, leather
scented city Of Lynn to the tempest
beaten towns that huddle along the
rocky line Of Cape Ann. On this road
in this night, clamorous with the voice
of wind and storm, a close carriage
drawn by a pair Of reeking horses
went tearing along at raging saiiop.
There were lamps to the carriage,
but they were not lighted. The driver
from whose oil-skin jacket the rain
was running il little rivulets, sat on
his box as dumb and motionless as
lay figure.
The road, deep with mud and mire,
bordered close on the sea, and the roar
of that distracted element, working its
wild will at the base Of the great BeV-
erly rocks made mighty din around
the travellers. Suddenly, however
above all other sounds, out of the car
rIage, driven at such merciless speed,
broke a shriek-a woman's shriek' tuii
of anguish!
The door of the vehicle was dashed
violently open.
Drive to the nearest house, for
Gods sake!" cried mans voice, full
of mingled fear and fury.
I'm blown If see any house, sir,
answered the dripping driver.
Then push on for your life! What's
that among the trees yonder, ass! A
light! Make for it, If you like the
ring OF hard coin!"
At this gentle hint the driver laid
upon the beasts with lash and rein.
Fast flew the wheels through the mire.
The red gleam ahead frightened. AS
he approached 1t he saw that it came
from a low, weather-beaten house,
standing under a ledge by the road
side, with its face to the sea. He turn
ed his horses heads up to the door and
stopped.
Here you are, sir" he called.
Out from the carriage leaped man
In a long cloak, with a slouched hat
drawn over his eyes. He banged with
both fists on the door of the house.
"Open!" he shouted. open within
there!"
In answer a rusty bolt was drawn
back, and a hard, hatchet faced Cape
woman, In cotton gown and kerchief,
and smelling somewhat Of gin, appear
ed on the threshold with a candle In
her hand.
For the Lords sake, do you mean
to beat the house down over my head?'
said she. who are you, and what do
you want?"
The candlelight slanted full upon
him, and showed her, under the droop-
ing hat brim, blonde face Of the pur-
est type, handsome, high-bred and
pale as ashes.
There's a lady out here" he answer
ed, taken violently ill-too Ill to go
on! Do you see this sop, Cerberus?
Take it, for Gods sake, and let me
bring her in"
Into the woman's hand he thrust a
yellow eagle-for 1t was In the days OF
those bright beauties. Round this ON
nipotent argument her fingers closed
lovingly
This is very odd, sir" she grum-
bled, "and I'm a solitary woman, for
Duff and the boys are off at sea, and
it's a clear case of cats and dogs 'twixt
the neighbors and me. But have your
will, If you must? You'll find poor
quarters for lady, though. Whoever
is she, a travelling on such a night,
with the rain coming down like water
spouts, and nigh on to ten o'clock in
to the bargain?"
He stopped not to hear word Of
this, but rushed to the carriage, lift
ed from it a figure wrapper in shawls
and bore it into the house.
This way" said the Duff woman,
and led him into a living room, with
a bare floor, a swapping fire and clean
bed standing in a corner, after the an
cient New England fashion.
The man advanced to this last and
laid upon it his burden.
Hold the Dip" said the woman,
"and I'll take off her clothes"
He took the light with hand that
trembled violently AS he did so the
folds Of his long cloak parted, and she
saw beneath military undress, bright
buttons flashing against a dark-blue
ground.
'If it's the same to you," said she,
I'D be glad Of name to call you by,
seeing as you'll have to pass the night
here, most likely"
my name is Forrest" he answered,
shortly-Captain Forrest"
"As much as mine is and no more"
thought Hannah Duff: and, fiinging
back the shawls from the figure on the
a young girl.
A young girl clothed in fine, rich
garments, and beautiful with the dark,
snaring beauty Of the East. Like
marble shone her face out of disorder
ed masses Of purple-black hair. Her
great Jewish eyes were almond-shap-
ed, and darkened Furthermore by mag
nificent lashes. She had clinched her
dazzling hands into the counterpart
of the bed, where they shone like lilies
of the field, ablaze with costly jewels.
You haven't come far, s'pose, with
her in such a state?" said the Duff
woman.
Captain Forests blue eyes shot fire
at her, but he did not answer.
"She looks little better than a child
herself" went on the woman. You
must have been mad to have taken
her travelling such a night. Go for
DR.. Cover fast as ever your horses can
gallop! She's your wife, s'pose?"
"Oblige me by supposing-nothing
and by asking-nothing," he answer
ed. dumping down the candle into the
nearest chair You will in that way
save your breath. There she is-con-
found the auckland it can make no
difference to you whether she belongs
to me or to the Khan of Tortary.
Where. in the name of heaven. am to
find Dr. Gower?'
1.-TWO miles further on in the town,
t., ,,,tf cic