Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-06-18
gu 0riqiual Stury*
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
HOLLINGWOOD HOUSE.
BY MRS. HENRY DEAS.
CHAPTER XII.

me very we'll, for one or two hours, l think"
"Certainly," said Ellinor. 81 dare say the
walk will do you good, you have been so much
shut up of late. My grandfather generally
sits in Mr.. Temples room about this tlme'
you know"
Accordingly, Mrs. Norton donned her bon
net and shawl, and set out upon her expedl-
tion at an hour, which allowed her ample
time to 90 and return before dark.
It was a chilly and somewhat unpleasant
afternoon, in the early part of September.
This month, usually very pleasant one in
the upper part of South Carolina, where the
autumn is, by far, the loveliest season of the
year, had come in with an unfavorabe aspect;
gloomy-looking clouds hung low in the sky,
and the atmosphere was damp and raw. Mrs.
Norton wrapped her light covering more
closely around her, and stepped on at quick
er pace, as she emerged from the outer gate
and encountered the cool, keen wind that blew
freshly along the open road. Her face was
very pale, and her eyes looked heavy and were
encircled by dark rings; but this might have
been the effect of want of rest for several con-
secutive nights.
Once or twice she stopped and looked back,
in an undecided manner, as if uncertain
whether to proceed on her way or not; then'
slightly shaking her head, she pressed reso-
lutely forward, as if there was task before
her which she could not sbirk, yet which cost
her an effort to perform.
"I have vowed it," she muttered, with an
upward glance. "How else shall | explate
my crime? ?"
At length she reached the town, and bent
her steps at once in the direction Of that part
of it mostly occupied by shops and places of
business First, she stopped at dry goods
establishment, where she made few unimpor-
tant purchases. Her next destination was a
drug store.
The proprietor was out, and his clerk,
verdant-looking youth, lately initiated into
the business, stepped briskly forward to receive
her orders.
"When was here BEFORE" said Mrs. Nor
ton, with some hesitation in her voice, "l saw
liquid that was said to be very useful in
DESTROYING flies, and other insects. Have you
any of it still?"
"Can't you recollect the name, marin ?"
81 don't think 1 can-but remember it
was put up in little green phials, and had
Instantaneous Death written on it. heard
Mr.. - tell some one that it was quick
poison.
"Oh! know what you mean," said the
boy "wasn't it this ?"-handing down from
a shelf one of the phials she had described.
eyes, I think it was. Is it really so useful
as it processes to be?' asked his customer,
touching it with a trembling hand.
"Marm %
"Does it really kill insects so easily?"
"It will kill any living thing that tastes it, J"
replied the clerk "I've heard folks say as
how twas very dangerous on that account,
and nobody that isn't very careful ought to
meddle with it. A gentleman once bought
some and poured it in saucer and set it on
the window-seat, and his dog come along and
saw it, and l reckon he must have been pow
erful thirsty, for he licked the saucer clean
out; and there weren't any more Of that dog
= in FIVE minutes time than his dead carcase.
You see it's got kind of a sweet taste, and
that's what draws the flies"
"I-I am almost afraid to get it, if it's so
dangerous" said Mrs. Norton, in low, un-
steady voice.
"Oh you needn't be afraid, marin, if you
are careful only you mustn't let no children
nor animals get hold of it. The right way is
to put the saucer on top of some high shelf,
or some place of that kind, where it's out of
reach; and in few hours time you'll see the
flies laying around the saucer and on the floor
like-like blackberries," said the boy, hesi-
tatng for a simile, and apparently unable to
find any more appropriate than this.
"It must be very strong" said the house
keeper.
"strong! believe you. Twenty-Five or
thirty drops would kill man; it don't take
more than about twenty, in teaspoonful of
water, to kill all the flies you need at one
time. But you can see all the directions on
the bottle. Shall put up one for you?"
Mrs. Norton hesitated-took up the phial,
read, or appeared to read, the directions-put
it down again-and finally answered.
"Yes, will take one"
The clerk, not being particularly observant
did not notice that her voice faltered, and her
face assumed a paler hue, as she gave this an
swer. He wrapped up the bottle in paper
tied it elaboratey with piece of red cord,
scribbled, with pencil, the word "Poison !?
in large letters Oh the outside, and then handed
it to his customer, with the air of one who has
fulfilled his duty in every particular and In
the most satisfactory manner.
you'll remember to be very careful" ne
said, in an important tone, initiating his en-
ployer, as he laid it on the counter.
eyes, I will remember. What is the
price?'
"One dollar. These sort of things comes
high, you know"
Mrs. Norton paid the dollar without word,
and taking up her purchase, quickly left the
store.
"Poisonr' The word danced continually be-
fore her eyes, as clutching the little parcel
tightly beneath her shawl she hurried on, un-
conscious that her white, scared face, even
under the screen of her black veil was at
tracing the attention of the passers-by. Not
that she need have feared that they could