Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-02-20
ROMANCE OF THE 10TH CENTURY.
BY MRS. HENRY DEAs.
CHAPTER XIII.
RETRIBUTION.

most gloomy description, when servant en-
tered and announced that there was a man
waiting outside who desired to see him.
"I cannot see any one" was his masters i'm
patient reply. "Say that am very busy to-
day, and must be excused"
The servant retired, but presently returned
with card, which he said the man had told
him to bring to his master.
Stanley took it, and his brows contracted in
heavy frown as he examined it.
One side bore this inscription
AuGUsTE ]. LEROY.
On the other was written in bold, but
scrawling hand
"1t will be to your interest to see me. ad-
wise you not to refuse, or you may regret the
consequences. A. j. L."
"What can this insolence mean," muttered
Stanley. After moments reflection, he or
dered the visitor to be shown in.
Monsieur Leroy entered, looking not a whit
more prepossessing than when we had the
pleasure of meeting him last. His general
appearance was, if possible, even less attrac-
tive than usual his clothes were dirty and
disordered, and his unshaved whiskers gave
his face rougher look, and more sinister ex-
preston even than was habitual to it.
He entered the room with devil-may.care
air, and without removing his hat, flung him
self carelessly into the first chair that came to
hand.
Stanley, rising from his seat, eyed him with
mingled astonishment, anger and disgust
Monsieur Leroy, without moving, returned
his indignant gaze with an easy and uncon-
cerned smile.
"What does this impertinence mean" at
length exclaimed Stanley in wrathful tone
"Have you quite forgotten, sir, the respect
due to gentleman in his own house?'"
"Not at all, sir-not at ALL" suavely replied
the intruder, apparently quite unabashed by
the inquiry. 81 am only little tired, Mr.
Stanley, and would rather sit than stand, If
it's quite the same to you"
"You don't know what you are saying, sir,
said Stanley, on whom the mans manner now
impressed the conviction that he had been
drinking. eff you cannot behave with more
civility, leave the room, or I shall be obliged
to use means more efectual than agreeable, to
rid myself of your presence"
don't take that tone toward me, MIR. STAN
ley" said Leroy, still quite unmoved by the
anger of the other. Gas for not knowing
what am saying, I assure you do know,
perfectly we'll my mind was never in clear
er state than at present. as I shall soon have
an opportunity of showing you. I've called
on little matter of business, Mr.. Stanley,
and we may as we'll keep on friendly terms
with each other"
"What possible business can you have with
me ?" said Stanley, waxing more and more in
dignant at Leroy's audacity, yet curious to
know what his motive could be in demanding
this interview.
"If you'll sit down, so we can talk comfor-
tably, I'll tell you all about it,, was the re-
joinder. "I don't like to see you standing up
in that way all the time; it looks too much
as if you wanted to get rid of me"
Staggered in spite of himself by the mans
GOODNESS, Stanley mechanically drew chair
forward and sat down.
II suppose you have come to ask some ia
vor of me-" he said, with glance at the
shabby clothing of the other. "You don't
look as if the world had prospered with you
since we last met"
"a favor! we'll, don't know about that, &"
said Leroy with peculiar smile. "1t might
be pretty equal favor on both sides, should
imagine look poor, don't I, Mr.. Stanley ?
Well, am poor; am deucedly poor. I
have not a cent in my pocket at this instant. "
I'm the first place, where did you spring
from p said Stanley. II understood you were
dead"
"Ha, ha !" chuckled Leroy. "She told you
that, did she? allude to my adorable
spouse. She played the part of disconsolate
widow very we'll, I don't doubt"
"Your wife, sir" said Stanley, Informed
me that you had come to your end some years
ago, in Australia; that she had married
again, and was for the second time widow" !"
"Diable! She never told me. that" said
Leroy. However, it's all the same; it affects
me very little. I thought she took the name
of. Ford simply for convenience"
"Have you seen her since your return ?"
asked Stanley.
"Certainly I have. Immediately on discov-
ering her retreat, sought her out, and we
rushed into each others arms some weeks ago,
in the sylvan shades of this charming abode. D
"She never told me-" said Stanley.
Leroy shrugged his shoulders and elevated
his brows.
"Who can account for lovely woman's Ca
priceY' said he "Possibly she had some
reason for not imparting the information to
you.''
"Very likely" drily rejoined Stanley.
"However, Monsieur Leroy, all this has moth
ing to do, that I can see, with the business
you spoke Of"
"You speak correctly" said his visitor.
'It has nothing to do with the business what
soever. However, the mention of my esteem
ed wife has opened the door, in an easy and
satisfactory way, for the introduction of the
very topic am solicitous to bring before your
notice-and that is, the nature Of her occupa-
ton under your roof
"Your wife is my house-keeper," briefly re-
Joined Stanley. 81 should have supposed
that she would have Informed you Of the
fact"