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

lucd cFcl oCSoiieu W yoo oS ANP-'0 49,
perplexed syllables and trembling with vague
underlined fear-"that wedon't know who this
man is, nor whether Mr.. Mcdonald is here at
all?"
"Tut-tut! Let US be patient" Gertrude
answered, the little anxious frown coming
back to her face
"But'-protested Lide-
"Holy Saints! Weare in the house of my
husbands friend. That assuranceshould con-
tent you" CALCULATED Gertrude, in a reproach'
full tone.
"a friend? I don't believe Il! Look at
those bars across the windows and" Lide
continued, in low, agitated voice, going to
the door and turning the knob, "e0e are locked
IN We are ia-a-iu a-MAD HOUSE y
"a mad house p: cried Gertrude with a
shrek of horror, and then fell to weeping con-
vulsively.
II felt it all along" continued Lide !; "be
cause no questions were asked-no curious
looks were bestowed by the inmates of the
houses where we paused to rest"
Just as she finished speaking, the door soft
ly opened again, and Mr.. Stansbury walked
across the threshold. Pausing, he looked
closely at them and then gave little careless
laugh.
Lide recovered her selfcommand at once
and asked gravely-
"Mr. Stansbury, can you tell me where We
are?"
my dear lady, certainly; you are in my
house-my honored guests"
"But my husband ?" interrupted Gertrude
"Is lying down. I thought it would be q
happy surprise if I escorted you to his room
SO that when he opened his eyes he would sec
you and be overjoyed. If you object to my
little plan, 1 will waken him, Of course p
Gertrude's face cleared instantly. She had
no longer any fears with which to contend
If she was to see Irving, all would be we'll
harm could not approach her in his presence
81 will go with you Immediately" she said
starting up with an eager smile. Then, turn
ing to Lide, added
"Remain here until I return or send for
you." Then again to Mr.. Stansbury, as they
wentout together, "you are very kind, sir, and
you must forgive my tears. My anxiety about
my husband, and the long journey, have over
come me, my health being naturally very
delicate"
Stansbury gave the careless little laugh in
answer, and replied
"No thanks are due. Your husband is my
friend, and only regret that you are weared
You must lie down and be refreshed"
AS he spoke, he turned from the main hall
and led the way along low, vaulted passage
and thence up flight of broken stone steps
never pausing until he arrived at narrow
iron door, deep set in thick stone wall
Turning suddenly, he laid hold of her wrist
and opening the door, led her into the cell
for it was nothing more-beiug nearly in total
darkness, with damp, unearthly odor.
She started back, trembling, and uttering
cry of agitation and fright, demanded of the
man-
"Why have you brought me here? Where
is my husband? You will not leave me alone
in this horrible place? Am I a prisoner
Oh what have done! Oh why do you not
answer me?-why don't you"
"You may as well cease troubling yourself
to ask so many questions, for [ shall answer
none of them," interrupted Stansbury; "you
are deprived of your freedom, but you will be
cared for-I assure you of this much-and
sometimes your companion"-jerking his
thumb in the direction of the hall-"some
times your companion can visit you; that is
if we find that Mr.. Mcdonald has no objec
ton to such an arrangement between u.s.
After that, he went out through the door
and securely locked it after him. The cap
tive made no resistance-no outcry. She was
overpowered with utter misery. She sank
upon a low stone seat, and burying her face
in her hands, burst into fit of hysterical
weeping.
Surely she was a prisoner. The door had
closed upon her. She had heard the key
turn in the rusty lock outside, and afterward
the drawing of heavy bolts
1t was too true! A prisoner-a prisoner
in a Mad House, Why had she been brought
hither? For what cruel fate was her life
probably preserved? She recollected now
clearly, the scenes which she had overheard
between her husband and Mrs. Vaughn Fes
sender, on the evening Of the terrible aftray
at Mcdonald Manor but she did not remem
Der the shrek that had escaped her lips whe
the knowledge of who and what he was
reached her ears. She had maintained 81
lcnce and secrecy hitherto, and could so KEEP
on to the bitter end Could it be that he
doubted her power to do this thing?
As she sat there, almost in complete dark
ness, with her temples painfully throbbing
and the hot tears coursing down her wal
cheeks, she tried to find some reason for being
placed in her present alarming position; but
the more she cndeavored to unravel the mys
terry, the more obscure it became to her.
Not even Lide was left to her to brighten
her prison life. Alone to livc-alone to die
unpiticd and friendless. She thought and
thought and thought, until her reason left
her, and the cold white stars of the night
looked in on her through the iron bars at the
easement of her cell, and saw her through
the night hours wondering wondering
wondcring-a beautiful creature, half.crazed
with grief and fever and despair; and 50 the
daylight found her.