Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-02-20
employed in that capacity since the month of
October last"

OCLOueT laSI
Leroy slightly nodded.
II know that" he said. "But in what
other capacity, Mr.. Stanley? That's the point
I am driving at"
"What other capacity?' repeated Stanley,
flushing again.
"That's what said" said Leroy, composed
ly. "In what other capacity, besides that OF
house.keeper, is my wife employed in your
household?"
"In none, sir" replied Stanley. "Your
question is an enigmatical one, and [ cannot
understand the motive of it. A person I'LL
ing so responsible a position as that of house
keeper, in large establishment like mine,
seldom finds time for the performance of other
duties"
"Very seldom, as you say" rejoined Leroy.
"But sometimes, there are exceptional cases
as you and 1 know, Mr.. Stanley, ha"
"I repeat, that do not understand you,
said Stanley, who, in spite of his forced COM
posure, was evidently agitated
"Well, then, I'll make it little palmer
First of ALL" continued Leroy, care you sure
there is no one within hearing?" He glanced
cautiously around as he spoke.
81 am not afraid, sir, Of anything I say
being overheard" haughtily replied Stanley,
maintaining, with an effort, his composed at
titude and his steady gaze at his visitor. One
of his hands, however, as it rested on his knee,
was clenched together until the nails were al
most buried in the flesh, as if he were endeav-
oring, by some violent muscular effort to brace
his nerves and sustain his forced equanimity.
"Oh very WE'LL" said Leroy carelessly.
"It was chiefly out Of regard to your feelings
that asked the question; I have nothing to
conceal 1 assure you-nothing in the world.
I repeat, that have strong cause to doubt
the correctness of the statement you have just
made to me. I have strong cause to believe
that my wife's real occupation is an entirely
different one from that of house keeper !;
though the name may be conveniently adopted
as blind Now do you understand me, Mr.
Stanley?"
"No, I do not"
"Ah ha not yet Then see here, Mr.. STAN
ley-iust answer me one little question Who
occupies the room at the end Of the ,uestern ,cing
of this house, adjoining my wife's apartment ?"
s'That room" said Stanley in husky voice,
''is unoccupied. 1t was boarded up, by my
orders, in the fall of last year"
"That room" said Leroy, bending forward,
and speaking in low, Kissing whisper, 'is
occupied by your wife, Bertha Stanley"
Stanley started from his chair, cold drops
ofsweat gathering on his brow.
"What madness is this?" he muttered.
"You know as we'll as I do that my wife was
drowned, seven years ago, in a stream not far
from your asylum in New York"
"You know as we'll as do," returned Le-
roy, "that your wife is at this moment alive,
and confined in your house in the room of
which speak. You know also as we'll as I
do, that my wife is employed by you as her
keeper. Deny this if you camp
There was brief silence.
Leroy cool and triumphant, sat at ease in
his chair, regarding his victim with quiet
but malignant sparkle in his keen eyes.
Stanley, trembling in every limb, yet still
trying to maintain the appearance of compos-
ure, stood grasping the back of his chair for
support, guilt and dismay written on every
feature of his pallid countenance.
Collecting himself at length sufficiently to
speak, he faltered forth with ghasty attempt
at a laugh
"It is time to put an end to this farce,
Monsieur Leroy. Either you have been
dreaming, or your good wife has imposed on
your credulity, in trumping up this story to
amuse you"
"Pardon !" said Monsieur Leroy composed
ly. "My good wife has told me no story
whatever. Apparently she had her motivesfor
keeping dark on the subject, as we'll as your
SELF No, Mr.. Stanley, have better evidence
than my wife's word, which, allow. me to re-
mark, do not put implicit confidence in. 1
have the evidence of my own eyes,"
"Whatw exclaimed Stanley.
"Of my own eyes," repeated Leroy. "That
room has window, and that window is very
imperfectly closed up. 1t is also at a con-
venientheight from the ground, so that per-
son, by climbing on slight elevation, can see
through it without much difficulty. Last
night was in the vicinity of that portion of
the building-my object being to obtain, if
possible, an interview with my wife-aud see
ing light shining through the chinks of the
shutters, curiosity impelled me to take
peep. With the aid of the fallen branch Of a
tree assisted myself up sufficiently high to
CRAFTY my curiosity in this matter. l did
take a peep, and very satisfactory peep, or
at any rate conclusive one. My eyes, Mr..
Stanley, are very good ones, and never de-
ceived me yet.
"They have deceived you this time, howev-
er," said Stanley, resolved to keep up appear
ance to the last.
"They have not deceived me" said Leroy,
emphatically. "Come, come, Mr.. Stanley"
he added, in persuasive tone, "what is the
good of shamming in this way any longer7
I am not child, or fool, to have you throw
dust in my eyes. Confess that have been
clever enough to find out your little secret,
and give me credit for my magnanimity in
coming to tell you about it, the very first
thing, before 1 took any one else into my con-
fdencep'
Stanley saw that all further denial was USE
less. A low groau escaped his lips, and drop