Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-10-20
A DARK DEED
j. aAsA %.S%$S% %5.* j
Bv ETA w. PIERCE

as she drew Sultanas rein. "A letter!
Have you seen it?"
The man Immediately plunged 8
hand into his breast pocket and
brought forth the article in question
Here is a letter which l picked UP
on the beach a few yards back" he
answered.; lit is addressed to Miss
Ethel Greylock," reading the name
deliberately from the envelope.
She snatched it eagerly from him.
Il am that person." she said, then
looked suspiciously at her recovered
property. 1t was stained and soiled
as we'll it might be, from contact with
the wet beach, but she did not think OF
that.
Have you dared to open it, to read
it?" she demanded, with a witherine
look at the man.
1T is not my habit" he answered
in a tone that matched her own, "to
read letters that do not belong to me-
Il should like to ask what you would
have done with it if 1 had not called
you?"'
There is a man named Godfrey
Greylock living somewhere in this
town." he answered, calmly; Il should
have hunted him out and delivered the
letter to him."
She gave an involuntary cry.
"Oh, that would have been fright
full I mean you would have Destroy
ed me!-that is," floundering wildly In
her speech, mot for worlds upon
worlds
She stopped, amazed at her own
stupidity. An ear-splitting peal OF
thunder filled the pause. A sudden
blue, Internal sheet of flame wrapped
both the girl on the horse and the man
on the beach. Then the black heaven
opened, and down swooped the rain In
pelting, binding torrents.
Desperately frightened, Sultana leap
ed and reared. The man seized and
held her fast.
There's some sort Of shelter
ahead" he cried. I'VE must make for
it."
And with the mares bride in hand
he started and ran, mid fearful up
roar Of thunder, wind and rain, for an
old ruined boathouse standing a few
wards distant on the sea shaken beach
1t was very small and leaky-by no
possibility could Sultana get into it,
Confused and helpless, Ethel felt
herself snatched from the animal, and
pushed under the insufficient roof;
then the saddle was flung after her,
and she heard the finder Of Resnault's
letter say. Il will hold the beast out
side"
who was he? Through the broken
door of the old boathouse Ethel looked
out upon him, as he stood drenched
unprotected. struggling with the rear
ing, dancing, terrified Sultana. Was
he a summer boarder from one Of the
hotels? She thought not. His dress
of ordinary gray cloth, his generally
unpretending look, would not support
that character. Was he a Blackport
native-a shop-keeper-perhaps fish
erman? Very likely. His figure was
tall and muscular, his face fairly good
looking, brown in color and straight
featured. The eyes were gray, very
grave, and direct in their look. The
more Ethel looked at the man the
~
was something strangely familiar
about him-where had she seen him
before? In vain she racked her mem
ory for an answer.
You are being drenched," she called
to him, at last--her conscience began
to smite her. Had you not better step
under this shelter? There is room fol
two persons here, and Sultana might
be tied to-to-sOmething."
Thank you," he answered, and by
this time his voice was the only dry
thing about him; the rain will not
harm me, and there is nothing but the
beach to which l could tie the beast
She stood just inside the shanty
her damp skirts gathered up in one
gloved hand, her golden hair tumbleo
in shining masses about her throat
draggled, but beautiful vision.
But for me-" she stammered, you
would have got safely to shelter before
the storm broke"
That does not signify in the least
he answered.
She smiled family.
Now. I call it rather hard for you
Not at ALL"
Faster and faster poured the rain;
the thunder cracked, the lightning
cleaned in sulphurous splendor, the
great sea was sheeted in foam.
Really" burst out Ethel, this is g
clear case of cruelty to animals! Come
inside. You can hold Sultana here ir
the doorway"
Il would rather not" he replied
shortly.
She stamped with impatience.
But insist Oh, this grows terrific!
You will be drowned out there"
1t was a late kindness, but he obey.
ed, and dripping like a water-dog
stepped under the roof Of the boat
house, followed by the nose and Sec
tion of the neck of Sultana.
Ethel retreated as many PAGES as th'
limits of the place would allow, anC
there the two remained until the storm
passed-he gazing silently out to sea
she toying with her riding whip, an(
wondering if this was fair specimen
of the Blackport natives.
Presently the rain began to subside
the thunder clouds ceased; a burst o.
sunshine parted the clouds and the
tempest was over.
He flung the dry saddle on Sultana':
wet back, and assisted Miss Greylocl
to mount. She played nervously with
her rein for a moment. then a dazzling
smile broke through the reserve of hel
| face.
You have been very kind" she
stammered, and | thank you Pray
pardon the rude things which l said