Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-03-29
CHAPTER III.


The benevolent stranger paused, and Ned
Bowers with Helen, who vas DOW walking
close to his side, halted. Walla growled
fercely.
what was that? p asked Ned.
WAS what p said the stranger.
"A scream-quite plainly
The stranger shook his head and address
ing the man with the lantern said mildly,
did you hear anything, Job?
Nothing! was the brief reply.
The party moved on little farther, and
turning suddenly to the right, they came
before large old.fsshioned mansion, the
topmost windows of which were just gilt.
tering in the faint light of that stormy
morning.
Welcome-thrice welcome ? said the
stranger, as he turned on the threshold Of
the house and smiled Come in
But Walla seemed to have some objec.
ton to the invitation or its acceptance, for
he rushed forward a pace or two and then
facing Ned and Helen, barked furiously.
What is the matter with the dog p asked
the stranger.
sHe does not want US to enter the house,
said Helen.
sHow strangeP
Even as Helen spoke, faintness came
over her, and she would have fallen, but
for the protecting arm of Ned Bowers
The lone, weary hours of the storm-the
agony and excitement of the wreck-and
that struggle between life and death she
had gone through in reaching the shore,
had wasted her vital energies, and she no
longer felt able to speak or move.
sFor the love of heaven, cried Ned
Bowers; 'lesd the way, sir; let the young
thing have food and rest. Have you any
womsnkind in your house?'
oh, yes-thst is, sometimes!
Sometimes p
Il will send for one of the fshermen's
wives; my own, and only female servants
have gone to Mobile. Oh! there is one
who will take every care of her ! Mrs.
Moore you have come in good time. Here
is young lady who wants your special
care
Mrs. Moore was not very engaging
looking female, but she advanced quickly
into the room, with show of kindness, and
said :
sCertainly, Sir l shall be only too hap.
py to serve you and the young lady
Come this way, my dear-I will see to
you
Helen clung for moment to the arm Of
Ned Bowers, and then, with deep sigh,
allowed the woman to lead her away. But
the dog now made positive attack on the
owner of the house, and Helen was COM
PEELED, weak and faint though she was, tc
interfere.
down, Walla, down"
Upon this, Wslla uttered loud how
and fed away among the trees and bushes
and in a few seconds was lost to sig ght.
If I can have some dry apparel sale
Helen family, 'and some tea, vii! try ther
to think what is best to be done next
you shall have whatever you wish,' said
the master of the house. sAnd if you
Mrs. Moore, will just see to getting 6
change of apparel for this young lady,
think she would prefer to then rejoiu thi
gallant sailor, who has saved her from thC
wreck, and partake of some nourishmen
with him.
'Oh, yes-yes. 1 would much prefe
it, said Helen.
BE it 30, then
With this understanding Helen went Of
with Mrs. Moore, and Ned Bowers followed
the owner of the mansion into very hand
some apartment on the ground floor, wher'
a blazing fire was glowing in the CRATE, anc
a most tempting breakfast was spread OIL
the table.
Come my good FRIEND said the stran
ger; sfall to, and satisfy your wants. Th
young lady will, no doubt, be here in few
moments
Ned Bowers could not refuse to do jus
tice to the good cheer before him, and b
ate and drank most willingly, beginning
AS he felt the cheering influences of foo'
and warmth-almost to forget his prejudice
against the mysterious stranger. But still
Ned kept his eyes fixed upon the door 0
the room, with the hope of seeing Heller
enter; nor was he disappointed, for il