Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-08-25

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secured Wentworth; but he must be atten-
ded to first replied Jude. go = 4
what possible use would it be to secure
Wentworth p asked Milton, casting look
of suspicion upon Jude. .-s-..
Suppose that he IS Edward sD'Vilton,'
said Jude. ,-g.',
Milton shuddered. s.- ~
IF be is, who can prevent him from ta-
king immediate possession of the deserted
House?' asked Jude: sWho can prevent
him from unravelling the mystery which has
surrounded it for SO many years? Who can
deny him the right to demand. an explaua-
tion of the mysterious disappearance Of hia
wife 2 Who dare. ,--sz.f- -t..lr,
Stop, Jude, I-I-distraction! What
accursed fate has brought you back to Eng
land = And so saying Milton wrapped his
cloak about his tall form, and paced the pi-
azza with rapid strides. -.
sDoes Claude Millions heart fail him ?
asked Jude, placing his huge hand upon
Millions shoulder. = 4 = . -
Hush somebody is coming r said Mil.
ton, glancing towards the door.
tAfter some reflection have concluded
to accompany you, gentlemen, to hometown
said Wentworth, who, at that moment ap-
peared in the doorway.
Jude and Milton exchanged glanoes, as
the latter smilingly replied: Your compa-
ny will afford us much pleasure sir, and add
much to the anticipated enjoyment of the
day. - a-- =. -
Thanks II am ready to mount immedi.
ately,, said Wentworth. I'VE had better
start at once, as I purpose to stop for an hour
or two at, what you have been pleased to
call. the deserted house. +.-.
you. are at liberty to do so, sir; but /
have already given you my opinion about
the propriety of entering another mans
house, said Milton with assumed indifer-
ence. -
with all difference to your opinion, I
have made up my mind to enter the house,
even if am compelled to shatter every lock
before I can do so-come, gentlemen
Milton and Jude followed Wentworth in
silence; and the trio were soon mounted and
on their way to the Deserted House
The party travelled nearly ten miles in
perfect silence; each man being busy with
his own thoughts Milton looked away back
to the past, when the heart was comparative
ly pure the visions of the future all bright
and beautiful. Ambition and avarice alas
had plunged him into crime and villiany
but as it was only once, and years had gath
cred their dark folds over that terrible hour
and yelled its horrors Gas he thought) in
oblivion forever, be laid 'the aattering unc.
tioa to his soul, that his ends had all been
compassed, the prize obtained, and his own
safety and agraudizement secured.
The skillful accomplice-the only man
who could have been swift witness against
him-had been bribed with gold, and sent
afar off beyond the seas. Thirteen long years
had passed away-the dark, UNCOVERED
walls of the Deserted House frowned upon
the superstitious traveller as ever, but no
whisper of suspicion had ever fallen upon
the quick ear Of the respected, revereuced
and beloved Claude Milton.
- Now, (oh fearful reality y the accom-.
plice returns from the far.away land-the
swift witness rides athis very side. He too,
whose bones were thought to be cradled 10
the dark caverns of the Atlantic, rides be.
fore him in pride, power, and full manhood,
leading the way to the theatre of action
the old deserted House Imagine his
thoughts.
Jude's thoughts we're busy too. Strange,
that he should have returned to England
just at this time Money was all his base
heart craved-money at any price any sac
rifce of principle !-and what amount could
be not extort from Milton now? what de-
mands would he dare refuse2 Whatamouut
could he not obtain from Wentworth? Ha!
he would play trump this time, and sweep
the stakes into his own bosom-buy land in
America-settle down somewhere and live
like a prince. Such were his thoughts as
he rode between Milton and Wentworth.
We will not attempt to describe Went
worth's thoughts; neither, in fact, could we
do so without divulging much which the
reader should not know at this stage Of our
romance
The party had now reached the summit of
a hil which commanded an extensive and
beautiful view of the country around for
many miles. Away off, towards the north,
partly concealed by venerable oaks, loomed
up the dark walls of the deserted House
inauspicious, and colossal.
sAs I livev exclaimed Milton, standing
in his stirrups, and pointing the butt of his
whip in the direction of the old house, 'there
is an open window! -y
Nothing so very remarkable IN that SAID
Wentworth, handing flask of wine to Mil
ton.
But it is remarkable replied Milton, ta-
king the flask with trembling hand. i
have travelled this road as many times as
there are hairs upon my head, yet never
have seen that window see theren
AS. Milton made this exclamation, he sud-
denly reined in his horse, and pointed the