Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-05-30
XIII.
THE MASTER AND SERVANT.

XIII.
THE MASTER AND SERVANT.
On the same night, Lord Ruthven sat up to
late hour writing. 1t was plainly not an ordinar
letter-if indeed it were letter at all upol
which he was engaged and as his pen glided owe
the paper, he exhibited painful emotion.
Lord Ruthven, like his defeated rival, was tn
victim of some irresistible misery. His face wa
as pale as death, his very lips were banched, ant
the wild look which we have formerly noticed
made his eyes an unpleasant spectacleto gaze upon
At last he threw down his pen. He had no
written rapidly-rather with obvious effort ant
repugnance thus, the sheets Of manuscript Wer
not numerous.
He read them over carefully, with painful ex
preston in his dark eyes and then folding then
securely, sealed and directed them.
He remained for some moments gazing with
bitter smile-in which there was as much mlser!
as scorn-upon the direction; then placing tn
package in his bosom, he rose and looked arount
him.
Fergus was as usual, nodding over the fire
awaiting the moment when his master required MI
services in retiring to bed.
The old clansman would not, for the world, have
sought his own:pallet, which was spread In corn
ar Of the apartment, without folding and deposit
ing carefully in their proper places, the various
articles of dress removed from the person OF thf
Young nobleman; and hearing him rise from hi
place at the table, Fergus now also rose and pre-
pared to assist him in his toilet.
Lord Ruthven, however, motoned to him te
resume his seat and taking the arm chair opposite
said:
sI have written it down, Fergus"
'Written what my Lord?" was the calm reply
''The whole truth"
''The truth?'
ssAbout myself
"Ah!"
And having uttered this monosyllable, which
rather seemed to signify that he had understood
than that he doubted or was surprised, the high
lander relapsed into silence.
sIt NAV all occur as the devil wishes contin
ued Lord Ruthven, with gloomy glance at Fer
gus s'but do not wish to be regarded as mon
ster; hence, have explained all.
Fergus coolly nodded.
sI had it again last night" continued Lori
Ruthven, "as you know"
IT supposed so my Lord"
''You had the right"
NATURALLY as your Lordship sprung from you
couch at midnight, caught your sword, and Whel
I crappled with you and took care that you dlt
not harm yourself, tried to put an end to me"
''Oh! Fergus, Fergus pardon your poor, miser
able master Better far better, that l were In
sane, mad with diseased mind like the Graz!
lunatic, than be as [ ami
Fergus listened coolly.
"Some day shall kill you," said Lord Ruth
ven, in trembling voice; 'syou, the most faithful
of my family, for you are Of my very blood, tht
blood of Ruthven!"
The old clansman's face was slightly tinged witt
color, as he listened to these words, and they hae
evidently overcome his marble codness.
"Oh! my Lord you are now talking folly" hi
said, ''but the folly makes your old servant happy
No, my Lord, I am not Of the blood Of Ruthven
rightly though they do say that my great grea
grandfather was fourth cousin to Mac Alpin, from
whom your Lordship is descended. But that dom
count let us speak of other things"
"I can scarcely think to night, much less con
verse, Fergus" said the young nobeman. 81 an
going on a dark and terrible path-I see blood OF
itr'
'Why not stop, then?''
IT cannot! Oh! cannot!''
Fergus, who had regained his calmness, COOL!
nodded.
II am carried away by wild and Irresistible
passion for this peerless girl" Ruthven continued
'sand I am no longer master Of my will
'Unfortunate!" muttered Fergus, kicking
brand into the fire indiferenty.
'It is awful, but cannot, dare not behev
that the devil will ensnare me so horribly
'He is good hand at snares, my Lord.
''Speak not of til"
'sThen you have been duly warned"
"Fergus!"
"You have seen the man and the aoonaan, ad
ded the old clansman, looking significantly at hi
master, who did not speak for some moments.
An length he said, in low, horow-struck voice
which sent thrill even through the old highland
er, II have not told you what I saw last night
Fergus"
'sWhat was it, my Lord2'
"I saw the actual place, the whole deed, witt
all its accompaniment.
"And yet, after all this, you do not give up tn
affair.""
II cannot, am powerless
$50 be it, my Lord.
Fergus, your coldness nearly drives me mad
Do you not understand that am on the brink Q
an a,ctM preopice"
And as though he had not intended to utte
these particular words - as though they had force
themselves from his lips, without design-Lor
Ruthven started as he spoke, shuddered convu
sively, and turned so pale that he seemed about
faint.
''My Lord" said Fergus, wholly unmoved q
before IT have but one reply to make to all this
but as have already frequently made that reply
1 shall not trouble you with it again. "
"Speak, speak," :.
sWell, my Lord, then say for the hundredt
time, "give up the affair, and let us go back
Europe
II cannot, cannot"
II think your Lordship has made that same an
swer two or three times before, and as l alread
know it by heart, we will drop the subject OF dis
cussion."
''Not until have said last word, Fergus,
said Lord Ruthven; listen"
II will, my Lord
Lord Ruthven's manner lost its eyerish excite
ment, and after pause he said, with solem
earnestness which was not without strange path