Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-09-01

says. Bother their brains! It's their
noisy little mouths that torment u.s."
The young woman looks displeased.
You mustn't mind mother, sir" she
said to Greylock; she scolds some
times, but she's fond of the children al
the same. This little thing won't live
till morning, sir. When you see that
drawn, gray look on a baby's face, you
may as well give it up"
The elder party was looking at Grey
lock in a curious, sidelong way.
IT'S mostly women that fetch the ba-
/, bies here" she muttered; mot fine
young gentlemen like you. I call this
odd, and quite out of the common way
of things"
Greylock Redeemed.
THE child is my daughter" he an
swered, haughtily; "her name is Ethel
Greylock, as you will find by the mark
upon her clothing. My appearance
here with her may be odd, but it is not
my business to make explanations to
you, nor have time for them. I SIM
ply wish to know if you will keep my
child and do for her all that can be
done, either in death or life, till 1 re-
turn tomorrow"
That we will" replied the younger
woman, promptly; we're poor people,
sir, but decent and honest. Judith
Black is my name, and this is my
mother in law, who always says more
than she means, for which you must
pardon her, sir. We ask no questions
of folks that come to us, for who are
we that we should do that? But we
take the little ones and care for them
as best we can"
Whatever doubts Greylock may have
had concerning these strangers to
whom he had brought his dying child,
the look on Judith Blacks face, the
tone of her voice, put them to rest at
once. He drew from his pocket a
banknote and laid it in her hand.
This is a pledge that I, too, am hon.
est" he said, quickly. "If she dies, re-
member that I, Robert Greylock, the
father, will return some time tomor-
row to take charge of her body. If she
lives, it Is more than likely that shall
ask you to keep her for months to
come"
The elder woman put in her unpleas-
ant voice once more.
Look out you don't forget where you
left her. sir" she said, dryly; I've
known such things to happen. We're
too poor to keep castaways. When we
find 'em on our hands, sir, they has to
go on the public. Is this all the money
you can leave with us?" glancing
gloomily at the note. IT'S costly to
have 'em die here--a good deal more
than to have. 'em live-besides it gives
us a bad name"
That's all have tonight" answered
Greylock, smothering his wrath as best
he could
There's a ring on your finger, sir"
insinuated the woman.
The ornament mentioned was a mas
ruby and engraved with the initials of
the owners name It had been q gift
from Greylock's father, and he priced
it highly. but without a moments hes
itation he drew it from his hand.
Take it,"
The elder woman seized the hand
some jewel greedily. Judith Blacks
honest face grew red.
Mother, we don't need that of the
gentleman" she protested.
Hold your tongue!" replied the 9TH
er; I'VE need all we can get. Do we
keep these brats for the pleasure of it,
I'd like to know?"
Greylock, being certain to redeem his
ring on the morrow, said nothing more.
Indeed he had no further time to
waste. His child lay in Judith Blacks
arms, by warm fire, under a comfort
able roof. 1t was better for her to
die on the kindly breast of this strange
woman than alone with sleeping Mar
tha in the dismal chamber of the west
end lodging house. He bent and kissed
the little blue cheek for the last time
on earth.
Tomorrow" he said to Judith Black,
II will return, and you shall be liber-
ally paid for your trouble"
Il haven't a doubt about that, sir,
she answered.
He cast one last look at his child.
Did it occur to him how many, many
things might happen ere the morrow
No other word was spoken. He made
his exit from the house, and through
the dark court went back to the street,
at the corner of which the drug shop
stood. A clock somewhere near was
striking the hour. He plunged off
through the wellnigh deserted thor
oughfares until he came to a railway
depot. Here he found a train just
ready to depart for Blackport-an eX-
press, fortunately. He bought his tick
ct, leaped on the last car, as it was
gliding out into the deep gloom be-
yond the depot lights, and, dropping
into a seat, abandoned himself to a
cheerless night ride and his own moody
reflections.
An hour of rapid flight over an iron
track that ran, now through sleeping
villages, now through open country
but always close to the bleak, gray
coast, brought the train to station
on the skirt of an ancient Massachu-
setts town-a place with a history and
great fringe of salt meadows-called
by the natives, marshes"
"Blackport!" cried the conductor.
The car stopped. Greylock was the
only person to alight. A griZZled old
station master, who mad, in Blackporl
parlance, once followed the sea, stood
ON the platform with lantern in hand
He gave Greylock long look.
How are you, jared" said the
young fellow. carelessly.
The man swung up his light so that
| its red RAYS shunc full on the speaker
"Avast there" he cried. rs that you
| NIictar pnbarto I2lpw me. if | didn't