Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-04-18
CHAPTER K.
zone more unfortunate" HOOD.

"Drowned Drowned !'-HAMLET.
1t was almost midnight when there came a
tap at the door. Waldemar opened it, half;
smothering an oath as he did so. The fair,
full face of the house-keeper appeared, illumi'
mated by the lamp she held in her hand.
"Ifyou please, sir, Colonel Meredith wishes
to see you," she said with courtesy. Wal
demar looked keenly at her. Had she been
betraying him to his guardians Mrs. Collier,
shrewd and quick Of perception, read the sus.
picion before it was fairly formed.
"He is suffering very much; the neuralgia
has spread to his chest, and he is breathing
very hard. He thinks it might help him to
see you."
Waldemar hastily threw on his dressing
gown and followed her to the sick.room.
Colonel Meredith was lying upon lounge,
evidently in acute agony. He did not speak,
but motioned Alexis to his side.
The housekeeper was famous nurse. She
scarcely allowed her master to rest moment,
but administered some new medicine or offer.
ed some new palliative continually. The
sound of her footsteps and the rustic Of her
dress became at last tunbearable to the invalid.
II Think" he whispered to Waldemar, II
could perhaps sleep if she would only 60 away.
I can t stand that everlasting black silk. Mrs.
Collier" raising his voice, "will you please
20 and lie down now. You are wearing your
self out, and I shall want you again to-mor-
row. Dotry and rest, my good woman
Every we'll, sir" was the quiet reply; and
after shaking up the pillows, she left the room.
In few minutes Colonel Meredith fell
asleep. Waldemar sat by the window and
looked at the brilliant moonlit scene below.
The gardens, the lawn, the far-stretching
fields and orchards were flooded with silver
radiance; and the intense stiffness was only
enhanced by the distant murmur of waves.
He sat thus till the grey dawn began to
break-his own thoughts too confused and
miserable to be called a reverie and the sick
mans breathing coming regularly from the
other end of the apartment alone preserved
him from that sense of utter loneliness which
at this time would have been unbearable.
Presently there was an unusual sound, as if Of
wheels grating upon thegravelled sweep. He
rose softly, and going to front window, saw
below carriage, and female figure descend
ing from it. Atthe horses heads stood man
whom he instantly recognized as Gilbert
Collier. In another moment the housekeeper
appeared and as the moonlight fell upon the
upturned face Of the newly.arrived, Waldo.
mar saw it was his aoifs!
He sank down upon the floor Alas what
coward had this man become. He, the &C.
complished swordsman, whose glittering blade
had clashed in a halfdozen Continental duels-
who knew no fear when scaling the giddy
precipice in pursuit of the chamois and roe
buck-who shrank from no danger by field
or food, and dared thousand deaths-he
now quailed before the presence Of slight
girl! So true it is that
"Conscience does max towards Of us ALL"
Colonel Meredith awoke.
"What is that noise, Alexis ?" he asked, in
tones of alarm.
Waldemar was at his side in q moment.
"Nothing, dear sir, but the arrival Of Mrs.