Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-01-22

doom, or whether you viii fee hence, before it
proves too late." 90
20, I must Ay!" cried Gertrude, attempt.
ing to rise, and then falling back again upon
the ground; "ay-but where 20, where?
Will God have no pity on me! Will he not
protect and help me! will fee into the
woods and die there-die of starvation-rath-
er than become the victim of these cruel men.
O, Miriam! Miriam help me-help me- Ad-
wise me-aguide mel implore your
She lifted up her clasped hands in be-
seeching attitude, and then raising herself on
her knees, crouched at the woman's feet.
"What must I do {? What can l do
Where canI go%
"Oh Mrs. Mcdonald, my heart bleeds for
YOU I" returned Miriam II don't know what
to advise. You are so weak, you see that
you cannot walk and run away, as 1 could, if
any danger threatened me. And | have no
means on earth Of procuring any other mode
of conveyance for you. # I had, and did it,
would pay for the deed with my life. stans-
bury would not hesitate minute to snatch
out pistol or knife, and to send me to
'kingdom.come' before I could wink. some.
times wonder that he hasn't killed me; we've
had so many jealous and bitter quarrels with
each other" H..
At this moment there was stir amongs'
the hazel bushes. Miriam grew white, a.
trembling with underlined fear, listened.
."Why don't you tell me what to dc h.
rian ?" moaned Gertrude. "a
"Hist fancied I heard some one stlh,l
among those bushes. HushP
After pause Gertrude said, "There is no
one there ....
Miriam, half doubtingly, shook her head,
and said in low voice. while an expression OF
great fear shadowed her face
81 am not so certain stansbury may have
tracked us to this spot"
20 Miriam, you have been so kind to me
so very kind-that I should be unhappy al
ways if were to be the cause Of any misfor-
tune overtaking you! 1 am perfectly wretch.
ed-nearly crazy; yet my grief and my des-
pair are not so wholly selfish as to render me
devoid of anxiety for your welfare and your
safety. do not, therefore, ask you to aid me
in escaping hence. will 60, ant put my
trust in God only A.,
Miriam looked upon the unhappy lady,
with gaze of deep compassion, and said,
mournfully-.
"It is more than likely that when you are
missing Stansbury will suspect me of having
betrayed him to you and if he does, my life'
in his devilish hands, will not be worth
pinch of snuff! I have loved Stansbury as
much as my nature can love; but l know
what fate awaits me, if I remain, and there.
fore am resolved to share your fortunes with
you-good or i'll"
Gertrude rose and pressed her hand in 81
lence.
They walked on through the grounds, with
rapid steps, and gained the large gateway.
Here Miriam paused to fit huge key in the
ponderous lock.
She had scarcely succeeded, before close
behind them they heard the sharp click Of a
pistol, and then, almost instantly, followed the
report Of a shetland Miriam fell to the ground.
"stansbury has murdered mel" she gasped,
and then there was quiver Of her limbs; her
black eyes set themselves in glazed stare
under her beetling brows; her heavily-stained
lips paled and the quick, convulsive gasp Of
death shook her from head to heel. A mo-
ment later, she was still as stone-save for the
blood trickling & from her wounded side.
1To BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.