Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-04-09
his peerless daughter, and gently, but firmly, led

her away.
Hour after hour passed, and yet, Dubois did not
after dark; and that he should do 30 upon the
last evening of his abode with them, struck every
member Of the family as remarkably inexplicable
conduct Finally, however, Mrs. West entered,
and triumphantly communicated the intelligence,
that Mr. Dubois had secretly removed his trunk
from his room and, that, in all probability, this
was the last of the ingenious robber and her jewels
and money.
"And nou, Laura" she added, 81 trust that
the charm is broken and that you are cured your
folly IF such is to be the beneficial results OF the
contemptible theft, shall scarcely regard the cost
Of the timely lesson. 1t is cheap, even at that
pricel -, ;.
Laura, "do you really believe in your heart, that
poor Horace Dubois is capable ofa deed like that;
Or that the absence Of his person, and the remoy-
al of his trunk, have any connection with it at all
You know very well that every article of furniture
was removed from his room by your instructions =
even his bedstead and bedding. In all probability,
he returned to his room, as usual and discovering
by the condition of things there, that his further
stay was undesirable he did not feel called upon to
inform us of his intended movements. Indeed,
after such outrageous treatment, we had no right
to expect it-were in no way entitled to it.
'Zounds ~ exclaimed Mr. Yves getting. up
and walking about the room, with his arms folded
across his chest, ''that is 80, Laura Wehaye for
feited all claim to polite consideration from Dubois
by these shameful proceedings What must the
poor fellow think Of us!'' Then, turning to his
wife, he added Sand to your petty spite and NAL,
ice. madam, are we indebted for this unparalleled
indignity and outrage upon the common proprieties
of life! Who ever heard of such thing? / en-
gage music teacher for my daughters, and agree
to employ him one year, at a stipulated salary.
Without my knowledge or consent, you discharge
him, without moment notice, and remove the
furniture from his room Then, to cap the climax,
you accuse him of robbing you Of your jewels and
money. Heavens! that's insult and injury with
a vengeancel How comes it to pass, madam, that
articles Of such intrinsic value, should be left care
lessly about the houseT"
'"fheg were locked up in the bureau in my dres-
sing-room." . .
SAnd, in the name of all that is fair, how was
it possible for Dubois to get at them, they were
there, under lock and keyr' asked MIR. West,
growing very red in the face. "Was thelock bro
KEMP" ..r. 49,,
'There was no nonecesaty fort resort to force, said
Mrs. West excitedly, tanning herself 'cThe key
of his trunk fits the drawer"
MADAM" said Mr.. West, with unusual grayi-
ty, eff statement of that character was made in
court of justice, Mr. Dubois or his lawyer, would
cross.examine you little more rigidly than it be-
comes me to do, under present circumstances. l
will only remark, that it strikes me that one could
scarcely be certain of key fitting more than one
lock, unless the experiment had been previously
made Of course, you know best about that. !"
And 80 saying, Mr.. West resumed his walking to
and fro about the room.
Every well, Nh. West VERY well, sir!' aaid
IL. .:Lli:.r ~ xLo xubsf6 oroupd har
fan. eff you are disposed to undertake defence
of Mr.. Dubois, after all that has taken place, l
have no particular objections to urge. would
simply remind you of the presence Of this sentl-
mental young lady''-pointing to Laura-"and
give it, as my opinion, that it is not polite, under
the circumstances, to make an injured andpersecu-
ted hero of her presumptous and love-sick music
teacher. She Is evidently under the influence Of
that impression already, and requires but little en-
couragement from her father to abandon the pro-
prieties of her station and become entangled in the
wiles of an unprinGpled adventurer and subtle vii
Ean."
Mr.. West looked upon his wife in speechless
surprise.
Just then, servant entered, and announced the
arrival of MI. Dubois, who, Immediately after,
as sheet and his manner singularly excited. For
a moment or so, he silently surveyed the party,
turning from one to the other alternately then,
suddenly taking parcel from his bosom, he open
ed it and threw the glittering contents upon the
table.
IAN enemy has done this!" he said, fixing his
gaze upon Mrs. West, who quailed beneath his in
dignant glances "Tis no Bepjamin's cup, secre-
ted in the sack of corn, as an excuse to bring me
back and retain me among you Whoever placed
these articles in my trunk, intended to charge me
with theft, and then substantate the charge by an
examination of my baggage. You understand this,
Laural They desired to make me hateful in your
eyes to cover my stainless name with eternal in
fanny and shame, and drive me from your presence
in disgrace We'll, here are the jewels and the
coin. Their owner can see that have retained
nothing"
"By my hope for the futurep' said Mr.. West,
grasping the hand Of Dubois, ''this is no deed Of
mine, sir!" - ,u,
II ask no questions" said Dubois .They are
superfuous. | am conscious OF everything con-
nected with the base transaction.
'The unblushing impudence of the fellow !" al
most screamed Mrs West, feeling it high time to
interfere 81 am indebted for the return of these
stolen articles more to an awakened and troubled
conscience, than to any principle of honesty in your
nature You may well say that you know every
thing connected with the base transaction. Your
slusion to Benjamin. cup and all that stuff, has
been recited to an unappreciatlve audience, sir.
Leave the articles where they lie and retire from
our presence Immediately; and be thankful that
you are not handed over to the tender mercies Of
policeman. charge you, toyour face, SIR, with in
territorial theft pronounce"
II deny the charge, madam!" said Dubois,
trembling with indignation. sIaccuse you OF pla-
cling these articles in my trunk; and have that
in my possession, which establishes your guilt;
And he took a small, enveloped notefrom his pock-
ct. 'This, madam-in your haste to work my
ruin-was inadvertently dropped into my trunk a.
mong the other articles 1t is directed to yourself
"Give It 70 mel fof TOD sake, do notIrn
And Mrs. West staggered towards Dubois, and tell
nsensible at his feet
Laura" said Mr.. West, upon reflection, I
deem it prudent to make you acquainted with the
startling contents of this note Of Edgerton's. to
agine even, that I have read it to you" And,
without awaiting her reply he went close up to the
amp upon the mantel- piece and read in an under
tone: ,-
mDr.s Mrs. wrsr-f things beginning to assume the
serious aspect which MENTION you had better resort 70 n
lon II may possby-toush scarcely pobable-eost you the
money and the ewels should fall to recover them
Dubois in some ways perhaps our little plot may prov the
most eaecua mesd 1t will fshen all ideas Of love out q
our joint solicitations You promised to make her wife,
ven ii force had be resoed be the alert and do
,our Write Immediately, and let me know
Ill 'n' particulars u u' "'HA'p' VICTOR EDGERfoN."
"Oh! papal' exclaimed Laura, "this is terri
Die. tremble to think what is to be the finale to
III this plotting and planning To think that
mother should do this But, dear papa, what is