Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-01-16
"Was there no proof beyond the dress?" he

"The dress, the height, the hair-which was
long, light, and very beautiful-and the time
that she was judged to have remained in the
water, all corresponded precisel ly with the per-
sonal appearance of Mrs. Stanley, and the Pc
riod which had elapsed since she left u.s..
"Unmistakable evidence" said Stanley.
"Unmistakable, as you say, sir. No other
patient had left the asylum within at least
eighteen months previously; no other patient
had ever left it in a similar manner; that is to
say, without being entirely restored to health,
and removed in suitable way by relatives
or friends"
"Of course, the proofs were positive" said
Stanley. "Well, Mrs. Ford, I am much OBJ
liged to you for taking the trouble to relate
so fully and distinctly the facts / desired to
hear"
He Strengthened himself in his chair as he
spoke, and breathed long, low sigh of relief.
"No trouble, at all, sir" said Mrs. Ford.
II hope you are quite satisfied, now."
eyes, I am satisfied" said Stanley, as he
arose to 60. "You see, Mrs. Ford" he added,
looking critically at the lining of his hat, as
if he saw something amiss in it, "this is pain
ful-a very painful subject to me, and occu-
pies my thoughts very constantly"
NATURALLY, sir" said Mrs. Ford, sympa-
thetically.
"And, therefore, I felt impelled, as it were,
to have this conversation with you, to-to as
sure myself, as it were of all the melancholy
details once more. 1t is mournful satisfac-
ton, I confess, to have convinced myself of
the exact facts of the case; but such as it is,
I thank you fer having afforded it to me-
"Not at all, SIR" smoothly rejoined Mrs.
Ford.
"Well, good morning." said Stanley, as he
made his exit
"Good morning, Mr.. Stanley"
Then as her visitor mounted his horse and
rode off, she bestowed a parting valediction
on him in the following words:
"Oh! you villain ! You scamp above
scamps! You unnatural monster, you! A
'mournful satisfaction truly! 1t would be a
great satisfaction to you, no doubt, to find out
that she was alive and we'll, specially consid'
ering that you own another wife"
With these remarks, accompanied by her
own peculiarly agreeable smile, theex-mistress
of Monsieur Leroys private asylum reen'
tered her house and shut the door.
Stanley next proceeded to Union Court
House, where he sought the office of gentle
man of the legal profession, to whom he was
a stranger.
Mr.. Barrister received him courteously, and
invited him into his private room, where they
could converse undisturbed.
For more than an hour they we're closeted
together, discussing subjects Of apparently an
absorbing nature.
Stanley came out at the expiration of that
time, with much more serene expression
than he had worn on entering the lawyers
office. He then took dinner at hotel, after
which he set out on his homeward way.
Mr.. Barrister was standing at his Office
door, conversing with brother lawyer, as his
new client rode by.
"Do you know that gentleman ?" he en-
quired of his friend, as he returned Stanley's
courteous bow.
"Who, Stanley? No, have never met
him only seen him once or twice without
being introduced. He is the owner of Moss
grove, you know, the Grahams old place.
Queer fellow, isn't he?"
"He seems very gentlemanly," said Mr.
Barrister. II never met him until to-day {;
he came to me on little business, for friend,
a mere matter Of giving an opinion. He is
quite recently married, is he not"
"Yes. He brought his bride upin June, l
think, and has shut her up ever since in tina:
gloomy old place, where I should die of the
blues in week"
"Shut her upw echoed the other, with a
startled look.
"Well, they say he won't let her mix in
society at all they lead most secluded life,
and showed such an evident desire to be let
alone-at least he did-that folks have left
off visiting them. My wife and daughter
called soon after they settled up here, and
were rather pleased with Mrs. Stanley; they
said she was very beautiful, had sweet
manners, but looked unnaturally sad for
BRIDE My wife mentioned to me the other
day some odd reports she had heard about
them but of course, don't believe in re-
ports-if people fancy being different from
others, they are sure to be talked about"
"Always" said Mr.. Barrister, who was rath-
er prepossessed in Stanley's favor. "For my
part, I think every one has a right to do as
they please" And so the conversation drop
ped.
Stanley meanwhile rode homeward, feeling
much lighter hearted than when he had set
out. He had learned nothing new; but he
felt in some way relieved, as if acceptable con-
frmation had been given to already establish
ed proof 1t was, in truth, singular that his
thoughts should have turned so persistently
lately to a subject which for many years he
had almost succeeded in banishing from them.
But try as he would, for some time past he
had not been able to Danish it. 1t ,pould rise
up perseveringly before him, dogging him
amid his daily occupations, and haunting his
dreams until his downy pillow had become
pillow of thorns, aud filling his heart with
thousand chilly fears.
II have been fool" he said to himself as
he cantered on toward Mossgrove; 81 never
knew myself give way to such absurd fancies