Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-04-26

took from bis pocket a segzr, aud, after
lighting it threw the scrap Of paper upon
the bottom of the hack The silence had
become SO oppressive to all parties that
Edgar determined to bring it to an end if
possible; so, gently pulling at the barouet's
cloak, he asked Are you asleep, sir?'
NO. replied the baronet after little
start
DO you use tobacco?'
Occasionally. Why do you ask?'
Gf t am not taking too much liberty, I
would request you to do me the honor to
join me in good segar'
Thank youp said the baronet, pushing
up his hat again, and throwing his cloak a
very little from his shoulders. II sometimes
fancy a good segar. Thank your
Taking one from handful of segars,
which Edgar handed him, he stopped to
possess himself of the scrap of paper which
bad. been 4hrown at Edgar's feet A START
accompanied by q searching glance at Ed.
gar, followed this apparently triaing act, :
sHow came this here?' he asked, letting
fall the segar and looking ly-into Ed
gar's face.
sAllowme to see it, said Edgar surprised
at this outburst of emotion. Aud so saying
he hastily took from the hand of the baro-
net the scerched and blackened scrap Of
paper.
The only legibie portion of the neat hand
:: writing upon the paper was 'Afectionately
Yours, Minnie Harcourt;' aud Edgar
sighed as be said, Il zee nothing here that
can possibly concern you, sir
But how came it in your possession 7?
asked the baronet, uueasily. .'-
Really, sir, said Edgar, fully persuaded
now of the baronet's insanity, Il do not
think concluding line of one Of my-for:
mer correspondents can be of the slightest
interest or consequence to you
Your former correspondents, eh ? said
the baronet She does not write to you
now, then ? Then, after a pause, during
WHICH his large blue eyes looked searching
ly into the puzzled countenanee Of Edgar,
he said IN an altered tone, Gan old sweet
heart, presume
sAs I said BEFORE replied Edgar, u flush
of anger mantlng his face, Il cannot con.
cieue how this scrap of paper,~or anything
concerning the writer, can be of the shghsr
est consequence to you
lit IS of consequence to me, though,
said the barones; 'and, to give you some
idea of the importance of this half burnt
scrap of paper, | will simply inform you,
that, though hitherto perfect stranger to
me, it has pat me in possession of your
name, which I take to be Edgar Houston
Am I not right?'
That is certainly my name, said Edgar,
surprised beyond measure; but how this
paper could possibly have communicated
the knowledge, Lam at loss to under
stand
1T has, nevertheless said the baronet,
coolIy lighting his segar. 'Aud now, sir,
let me ask if you do BOT recognize iu this
miniature soue slight resemblance to your
fair correspondent And, so sa;ing he took
from his pocketa small gold medallion, and
handed it the dumb-founded young man.
Heavens + exclaimed Edgar, as he has
THY glanced upon the we'll known features
of Minnie, show came you by this?
. sGuess,' said the barouet, quietly taking
it-from the hands Of Edgar and replacing
in his pocket, With triumphant smile.
i demand to know, said Edgar, the hot
blood rushing to his cheeks and bounding
through every vein,
Il refase to satisfy your curiosity said
the baropet, knocking the ashes from his
segar. and adjusting himself for nap;
sand, so far as your demand is concerned.
allow me to inform you, sir, that it has not
tue slight weight with me. Until you can
convince me to the contrary, 1 must con-
slider you, last remark exceedingly imper-
tinent.'
But said Edgar, as vague, underlined
and madeniDg suspicious crossed his mind
and chilled his heart, Il am justified by
circumstances 10 mauifesting surprise ct
! finding. the miniature of an intimate lady
10 the possession Of an entire stranger
'An entire stranger to yourself, perhaps
said the baronet, 'but not to Miss Harcourt.
But, possibly you are related to the young
lady by blood or otherwise. If so, the in-
terest exhibited is natural enough
! There was something about the delivery
of the last remark, which partook very
much of the nature of sarcasm and Edgar
bit his lips in vexation and bestowed very
angry glance upon the baronet, who added,
in tone of the most provoking Indifference,
Il am about to suggest an immediate sus-
pension of hostlities You are becoming
angry and l am sleepy; 50, the sooner
this subject of conversation is dropped, the
better for US both. Events, as they occur,
will satify you that I have perfect right
/ to Miss Harcourt's miniature, and that your
manifestation Of spleen and anger upon the
present occasion is exceedingly gratuitous,
and not at all warranted by the circum'
stances of the case. And now, pray be 80
; good as to allow me little sleep, as / am
! too mnch fatipued To take mart in further