Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-06-25


knew such a state of affairs-as if sickness
and burglary were not enough at one time
without every one turning fooi, too. It's my
belief that you are afraid of ghosts, sukey
and haven't looked properly"
"My name amt Sukey, sir; and l AIM
afraid of ghosts" said the maid, in an injured
tone. "You can look for yourself, Doctor
and see if Use not told the blessed truth
unless she's in old massa's ROOM"
Further investigation convinced Dr. Nor
wood that the house.keeper was, indeed no
where to be found. AS last resort, ne gen
tly opened Mr. Hollingwood's door, and put
ting his head in, asked Ellinor if she coulo
give him any information concerning her
But Elliuor had not seen her since bedtime
the previous evening.
"Mysterious with a vengeance" said the
doctor, as he c.me out again. Then, as
sudden idea struck him, "By Jove! I've got
the explanation! 1t must be she who has
made away with the old gentleman's box
and taken herself off! And these fools Of
negroes jumped to the conclusion that it was
a man-robber, and were too much frightened
to 90 in pursuit. Good gracious me! l
wonder 1 didn't think of it before. But Of
course, she'll be caught-she'll never have
the wit to keep out of the way. I'll put the
detectives on the track the minute l get
home. An artful wretch! Who would have
thought it, too, with her sly, downcast ways ?
The doctor was so much excited by this
new idea that he was for posting off instantly,
to see Justice done; but first he must 60 and
see how his patient was progressing, and also
make some arrangements for Sydney's COM
fort.
Ellinor met him with Frightening face
"Oh, Doctor, he is quite conscious now
his eyes are open, and he has been trying to
speak. was just going to send for you"
"That's WE'LL" said the doctor; and ap-
preaching the bedside, he exclaimed in
cheerful tone
"Well, Colonel, you begin to look like
yourself again. How do you feel nowT
The old gentleman tried to answer, and
amid the feeble, halfinarticulate sounds, the
doctor managed to make out one or two
words.
"Very odd, eh? Confused-yes, yes-oi
course; that will wear off by-and'by. Your
left arm-yes, it's numb; Isee. Never mind
you're coming round by degrees. You had a
great shock, eh? Doyou recollect about it p
eyes," muttered the Colonel, feebly; "rob'
ber-tall man-black cloak-tried-ah
can'tw He shook his head with helpless,
distressed look.
"Never mind! Don't talk-you'll do bet
ter presently. Only tell me one thing-you
are sure it was man 2"
His lips formed the words-"Of course"
"You didn't know him-didn't recognize
him?"
Mono; couldn't"
"Of course not" murmured the doctor; in
my opinion it was no man at all-too dark
probably, for him to judge"
"What do you say, Doctor ?" asked Ellinor
"Never mind, my dear; "Im only specu'
lating on the subject of this day-delightful
thief; wish had him here-that's all Now,
look here, don't you think you'd better take
a little rest? Grandfather won't need you
directly"
"Why. Doctor Norwood" !" said Ellinor,
with reproachful look; "you don't suppose
1 mean to leave him to-day, do your"
"Don't you? Well, it's what I might have
supposed; but don't knock yourself up, that's
all. I'll have to ride back to town presently.
I've one or two pretty bad patients there that
need looking after; but III be over again in
the course of the day."
He gave her some necessary directions, and
then went of to hunt an attendant for Sgd
ney. ;,
II wonder if that hypocrite, Charity, isn't
we'll enough yet to stir herself? However,
halfsick nurse is of no use, especially an
African. They are not fit to look at if they
get fnger-ache. There's that sukey, or
whatever her name is; I suppose she'd do.
My young gentleman must not be too partlc'
ular on an emergency"
Sukey, as he called her-her name, howev'
er, happened to be Delia-was waiting in the
hall, and before long, he had installed her in
her new office. Sydney was only halfsatis-
fed with the arrangement He did not, by
any means, relish the change Of nurses.
"Where on earth do you suppose Mrs. Nor
ton can be, Doctor?" he asked, peevishly.
"I'll tell you what" said the doctor, in a
whisper, approaching his lips to sydney's ear,
that the communication might not reach to
another pair of inquisitive ears, not far of,
my private opinion is that she's absconded
with the Coloners money-box."
"What! you think it was she"
"Exactly! Or a confederate Of hers; and
she's gone off with him. I may be wrong,
and hope, for her sake, that I am but l
tell you, sir, to my eyes, it looks mighty sus'
picious. Well see, though-well see."
II cannot believe il" said Sydney; "she is
not the person to be guilty Of such an act"
"We'll see," said the doctor, again and off
he went, bent on inaugurating some means
for the elucidation of the mystery, when he
should have attended to the patients who
were waiting for him in Greenville
But his patients were destined not to see
him that morning. He had mounted his
horse, and was riding toward the gate, when
negro boy, who had been sent to gather dry
wood, came running to meet him, the whites
of his eyes rolling in wild alarm.