Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-03-15
$50 you did, truly but did she positive.

She did, and whilst her hand was search.
ing for something about her garments, that
was missing, she spoke of your ]amented
brother, our dead Laird
sOf my brother! The plot seems to
thickeu, then,' he murmured to himself.
What did she say of him +; she could not
say much of one of whom she knew so little,
he added, in more distinct tones.
She exclaimed, drawing out her lean
and withered fingers, i cannot find it;
twas Roberts present torn from Sir Wal
ter's dying heart. Hark they call-they
callp then gazing on her hands, she loudly
shrieked, 'these-these are pure but, Sir
Robert, yours are deeply crimsoned with
a brothers blood
The Laird's lineaments underwent various
changes whilst listening to Ronald, and to-
wards the close of the narration, he appear
ed to shrink within himself, like the crouch
ing of tiger, about to spring on its prey.
He suddenly drew dirk from his side,
and rushing on the defenceless man, with a
voice half choked with fury, William, you
lie; I did not murder him, he fell on the
battle field. You dare not say murdered
him
Ronald stood firm and replied with com
posure,
Il am no william, my good master; but
your true and faithful servant, bound to you
through every viscissitude of life
The solemn composure with which these
words were uttered, recalled the distracted
senses of Sir Robert, and dropping the dag
gers point, whilst smile of scorn: mingled
with defiance curled his lips, he said,
aye, think you have told me this be-
fore.
Have I not proved myself devoted te
your interest p
The grim features of the chieftain relaxed
he thrust the dirk into its scabbard, and q
look of melancholy overshadowed his brow.
The surprise of the moment, operating on a
mind, already weakened by distress, had
irritated his feelings and thrown him of
his guard. For the words of the nurse,
though mystery to Ronald, were not tc
him and the unconscious narrator had held
up faithful mirror to his eyes, which time
could not obscure, though dimmed with
blood. He struck his hand upon his heart
and heavy groan burst forth, as if the
tortured spirit were struggling to escape
and grasping the arm of him, at whom bu
a few minutes before he had pointed ma
ked weapon, he said mournfully,
Forgive my injustice, Ronald; have
proved and found you faithful, and now
you are the only being left to me, on whom
I can depend
You overrate my services. Were there nj
other motive, your kindness to myself anG
family demands my gratitude-my life
Oh, good Sir, can I ever forget when you
hand snatched us from destruction! How
my aged parents, bowed down with age ant
af1iction, saw the home of their early love-
enveloped in cracking flames, and the ret
glare of the blazing mass, streaming on th'
ghastly paleness of their cheeks, seemed tt
mock the agonies ofits victims. My sister
she whose remains, now moulder into dus
beneath the turf raised mould, stood tremb
ling as the brutal 'sidier rhu' marked he
for their victim, whilst I, bound and bleed
ing, could only look upon the spectacle will
horror and dismay. Yes, the scene is still be
fore me, engraven on my memory. My ven
erable sire, with his white hair streaming il
the breeze, and look of meek piety, ever
demons would have reverenced; and m,
mother too, on whose neck I hung in infan
cy-sbe was subjected to the rude grasp o
villains. Both were bound, as marks for thei
carabines. In vain my sister shrieked- the,
revelled in her cries, and exulted IN he
frenzy. Oh! twas a sight of horror, TO
they stood like lambs appointed for th'
siaughter-willing to die for conscience
sake when you, my noble master, caln'
like guardian angel to our rescue-th'
hoary heads of my parents went to the grave
in peace, and a sisters purity was savedp
Whilst Ronald spoke, the gloom which
had hung upon Sir Roberts brow, gradual
ly dispersed like mist before the rising sun
till his eye once more glistened with pride
and dignity. The retrospect just brough
before him, recalled to his memory the time
when honor and integrity swayed his mind
and for few moments made him forget tht
intervening years-years that were stained
with villiany and bloodshed. A tear gather
ed in his eye, but as existing circumstance
again rushed like torrent on his soul, b,
dashed the unwonted monitor away, and hi
features resumed their frowning sternness
But this woman and boy he hastily re
sumed swhat more of them?'
sAs soon as transient recollection was re
stored, made myself known, and question
ed her. But the visions of a disorderec
imagination were fading away again, and
could obtain no other reply than 'the bo,
still lives-the boy still lives! p
go Ronald exclaimed Sir Robert, al
feverish passion flushed his cheeks 'pre
pare this woman for an interview. 1 vii
see her, and question her myself. Torture
shall wiring the secret from her. if otheI
means fail. Go, gop
Ronald quilted the apartment, and the
Laird resumed his hasty walk; his minc
racked with anguish and suffering, The
keenest distress the poison of a guilty con
science can inAict
lis the hour of retributive justice ther
arrived? he muttered The tempest gath
ers about my head; yet 1 will dare the
storm and boldly live, or bravely die. Tt
die-and what if there should be an hereaf