Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-11-05

it is, Susan, if do as well as Iexpect by thsj job,
| III quit the business; though it's no worse than
many another that the low sanctions. Well leave
this cursed hole, and live once more among civil
lied beings. Now go into the house; it's too damp
for ye out here besides, the stranger will suspect
something And mind ye, don't let on you We
seen him before. If ye havesit's plain he don't
recollect it, and it's best he shouldn' Il.
SAT this juucture, fearful of being discovered,
I quickly retraced my waysto the house. p: sr
chad scarcely resumed my seat by the fire,
when the woman! gided into the room, with the
same quiet, noiseless step. She took seat BY the
window, as far from me as possible and neither by
look or motion betrayed the slightest consciousness
of my presence. " l-5..E ID. -.
"Ilooked upon her. There was not the faintest
trace upon her countenance of the wild burst of
anguish to which she had given utterance but a
few moments before There were rigid linesabout
the mouth, and the finely drawn brows had hard
contracted look, which bespoke inward suffering,
but otherwise her face was as calm and impassive
as the dead. 10 jF.' :.aa. .1' '". aHt
pretty Boon her husband entered. He'cast q
quick, scrutinizing glance atus, as if to see we
had had any conversation: apparently satisfied,
be Immediately set about getting the supper. His
wife laid the cloth and arranged the dishes uponit
but he did everything else, even toithe mixing Of
the corn bread and the broiling Of the steak, in
which he showed the skill Of long experience. ~
-. "Under different circumstances it would have
been touching to have witnessed his thoughtful
ness for her comfort, and anxiety to save her from
the performance ofany menial Office, and, as it was,
it could notIescape my notice. The very express
sion of his eye and the tone of bis voice sohened
whenever he spoke to her. Itwas evident that he
loved her, perhaps the more intensely ard engnos-
Isipsly because ii was the only assaiabe point in
his hard heart, the only tenderuesssthat he had
ever cherished for any man'being.o. ;:isa
Ii tAs for her, she received every manifestation
of his affection with hard endurance, which told
! more plainly than words of the horror and aver
sion with which he had inspired her. Warm and
devoted as had been her love for him. it was plain
that there was nothing left ofi now, but its dead
ashes; that it was duty and nottafection, that
bound her to him, Only once did see hercoun-
tenance alter, and that was when his hand cbanced
to touch hers then she shrank away, with look
|ofloathing, while slight shudder convnised her
frame. $; .,a ...,hr.:sil tIe,I jls .s. ;" ss!
IL safer snpperl the customary bottle Of old rye
mas brought forward, of which Iwss strongly urged
to partake, but felt that had need ofisteady
nerves and q clear head, and reselutely declined.
e.aThe landlord face darkened with disappoint:
ment Then leaving the room, he presently re:
turned with g. foamingi mug Of what he termed
genuine New England CIDER and set it down be-
fore me. .'j.v .;.~%atsr.s, ~ ."--.-.n' =
:; Not wishing fosarouse his suspicious, 1 was a.
Don't to raise it tony lips, when my eye chanoed
to fall upon his wife; who was regarding me with
an anxious, troubled look. AS soon as she caught
my eye she raised her hand with the same warn
ing gesture that she had used before. So quickly
was it done, that her husband, whose head was
turned, momentarily from her, did not observe it.
II was startled. Perhaps the cider was poison
ed or drugged. At any rate, [ determined that
would not touch it. ~. ....' ~.
Gas was celebrating how I could best decline
it without giving offence, there came the tramp OF
horses feet to the door, and the landlord hurried
out to receive the new conner. As soon as the door
closed after him, his wife approached the table,
and taking the mug drained it to the bottom, then
replacing it resumed her seat, without directing to
me word or look e'' !I't sa': - ~ ..
"Completely mistifed by this singular conduct,
had scarcely recovered from my astonishment
when mine host entered, accompanied by aman,
whom he introduced to me as an old friend and
neighbor. As he called him Bill, 1 surmised him
to be the same man he alluded to in his communl-
cation with his wife. ..
MY situation began to grow serious; woagalnst
one was rather more than [ had anticipated. l
looked narrowly at him. He was short, bullet
headed fellow, with wide jaws and narrow forehead;
and though there was bulldog ferocity IN the
general expression of his countenanee, it was evil
dent that he would not show great deal of brave
~ unless the odds were greatly in his favor.
'The same gleam of satisfaction glittered in the
landlords eyes, as they rested upon the empty
mug, which confirmed my former suspicious ;
though why the woman should have acted as she
did remained mystery. Soon after the man ar
rived, she took light and left the room.
'uThe bottle circulated very freely between the
two worthless. thought had seen hard drink:
ing before, but never did see 80 much liquid fire
Il 90 QOWn any numau IiiEOdt 40 LILO iohepoAo ~ eN
with so little apparent effect. "H
Thoroughly disguised with this scene, and hav.
ing already decided upon my course OF action,
began to counterfeit drowsiness was far from
feeling. As l watched the counteuances Of my
companions through the fingers of my hand, upon
which my head was leaning, saw them exchange
glances of satisfaction. -. 3" 49, =.
Gas soon as I announced my intention Of reti'
ring the landlord rose up with alacrity, and light
ing small bit of candle, banded it to me, direct
ing me to take the room on my right as went up.
He stood at the bottom of the stairs until he saw
me enter it, as if to make sure Of their being nc
mistake. e.: - ..- ,.. g. 80, ... l-nr IT,. ..
"It was scantily furnished, containing only bed
and two chairs. There was no bolt upon the door,
and no means of barricadiug it, as the bedstead
was too crazy and in6rm to be of any service.
There was but one window, and that was so con,
structed as to make egress from itimpossibe, were
disposed to attempt it. ..
Gas was taking these points into consideration
heard faint tap at the door. As opened it,
the landlords wife stood upon the threshold; her
coorless face, and the long white wrapper that was
folded around her slender form, making her look
like an inhabitant of another world.
"'You have made mistake, she said, without
appearing to notice my surprise; you will please
take the other ROOM.
'As she said this, she pointed to the room on