Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-02-21
By ETA w. PIERCE.

ture as Mercy Dill. And yet some an
gel was guiding her tired steps all the
while-guiding them straight to NEE
a certain strange event that waited tc
change entirely her whole dark, JOY
less life.
It was half-past seven by the clocks
when she found herself at the entrance
of a small West End square. Her con-
fused brain had at last conceived the
forIorn purpose Of returning to Seedy
Court and passing another night on
the steps Of deserted No. 10. AS she
reached a corner where the street end
ed and the square began, her sad eyes
were attracted to big building Just
before her-an imposing hotel, all
agleam with lights from garret to
basement. Even as Mercy looked, girl
In a rich evening dress came to one oil
the brilliant, lace-draped windows
showed a smiling, high-bred face for
moment, fiirted costly fan, adjusted
bracelet and then vanished. Before
the entrance several carriages waited,
q guest Of the house to an evening
train at q neighboring depot.
AS Mercy held by that fascination
which ease and luxury always have for
want, stood wistfully surveying the
lighted windows, a human figure crept
stealthily down another street on the
right Of the hotel, and paused In the
shadow at the corner OF the building.
1t was a woman in shawl and bon
net and coarse gown, with a haggard,
shrunken face, round which some dis
ordered wisps of black hair strayed.
Her shawl was dragged down upon
one side of her body, and In Its shelter
one hand was held out Of sight. Stand
CROSS
ing betwixt her and Mercy, she gazed
intently toward the entrance OF the
hotel, her figure bent, her head uplift-
ed her wasted face alert and wolfish.
1t was Moll Dill.
Had the woman been drinking? As
suredly not. She looked gaunt and Ill.
A feverish hunger consumed her, but
not for food or drink.
Mercy gave a great start; then ran
quickly, and laid her hand upon the
lurking shape, glad indeed to find the
last and only being in the world upon
whom she had a claim.
"Mother!"
Moll leaped violently, and turned on
the speaker like beast at bay.
What! Is II you?" she answered, In
a hoarse, surprised whisper, and the
hidden right hand made a curious,
convulsed movement under her shawl.
Step back a little-speak low-where
have you been?"
"It is a long story, mother" answer
ed Mercy, wearily, and making no re-
sistance as the other thrust her back
in the shadow Of the wall.
you look as II death had struck
you. Fool! what made you leave your
lover on your wedding-da
Come with me-" said Mercy, "and /
will tell you ALL"
Moll stared darkly at her child.
Come with you-where?" she hiss
ed. "The house in Seedy Court Is shut
up. Have you found another home
Have you any place to lay your head
in tonight?"
NO"
Moll Dill struck the wall so flercely
with her clinched hand that the blood
started from the bruised flesh.
Have you any money, girl?'
mo"
NO more have I. I left my place in
the country when heard you were
lost, and came back here to look for
you, and I've had hundred devils In
me ever since-raging devils, tearing
me by day and night"
Something in the woman's wasted
face struck a strange terror to Mercy's
heart.
Mother, you frighten me! You are
sick. Let us move on. / will beg a
shelter somewhere tonight, and tomor-
row will find work. Oh, come! what
are you doing here?"
"Hist I'll murder you If you cry
out like that! I'm waiting to speak
with a-friend." She rolled this last
word like sweet morsel on her wick
ed tongue. DO you see this big no
tel? There's man inside 1t who can
help US If he villa man worth his
millions-steeping in luxury while you
and I starve-curse him! Go and wait
for me on the other side of the square
can't stir from this spot until / have
word with that man."
WHO Is he?" said Mercy, blankly
What is he to us?'
He's a cruel devil!" Kissed Moll
Stand back! Don't come so near me
don't ask questions. Off with you,
say!" -,
not leave you for a moment. There Is
something wrong with you tonight
Come with me, mother-come with
me! You are prowling here for no
good!"
turned and struck the girl blow.
bringing a crowd around!" she whis-
pered, savagely. Loose my shawl
go!"
AS this last syllable quivered on her
wrathful lips a servant issued from
the hotel bearing a gentlemans valise
which he placed in the depot carriage
waiting at the curbstone. Immediate
ly after, two persons appeared in the
door and descended the steps together
One was Jacob Phillips, the other
Sardis, the banker. The latter was
talking earnestly to his old. gray clerk
so earnestly that he looked neither
to the right hand nor the left and GER
tainly saw nothing of the two women
Moll Dill made a menacing gesture tc
her daughter.
THAT Is the mani" she whispered
STAY here while 1 speak to him."
She glided round the corner of the
hotel and approached the pair as they
paused before the carriage. Undis-
mayed by blow or threat, impelled by
the great, nameless fear that was tug
ging at her heart, Mercy followed her.
Good by, Phillips. l think / have
given you the necessary Instructions
said Cullen Sardis.
Good by, sir. I wish you a pleas
ant Journey" answered the old clerk
| MY " DSehtit<>.
The two shook hands. The banker:
cold, stern profile was turned towarc
the woman creeping along the pave
ment. How eloquent was his whole
stately person of wealth, Importance
ease! Moll pulled her bonnet over hel
brows, and, averting her face little
went up to him ard twitched his sleeve
Money!" she muttered, extending
her grimy left palm.
He turned, saw what he thought II
be common beggar, shook off he
touch, and answered.:
| No"
| Money, sir, for Gods sake!" sh'
urged, with stifed vehemence.
mo, 1 tell you-move on!" he re
piled, not deigning this time to glanc'
at her.
Swift as lightning she flung bacl
the trailing end of her shawl, showing
the hidden right hand at last, and th'
thing which 1t clutched, with the con
centrated rage and hate of many 1
year.
Curse you! take that from Moll!
she cried, in voice that rang hal
way across the square.
A leap, an ugly CLEAN of coars
steel and then a piercing shrek in
girls voice. Mother! mother!" th
rush of something betwiXt the weapon