Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-01-07

such pretty house, with big garden ano
lots of Flowers all out in the country, and such
a sweet little cousin to play with! Wont
you go?'
By this time quite number of bystander:
had assembled to witness the scene, ano
Darcy suggested that they should adjourn te
a private room in hotel close by, where they
could explain and arrange matters more al
their ease. Thenew-comer willingly complied
with this suggestion, which was at once put
into execution, and the trio soon found them
selves safely sheltered in a neat little parlol
from the annoyance of the public gaze.
"Now sir" began Darcy; "are you sure that
this is the little girl you are looking for? Its
pretty hard to get anything out of her; moi
much satisfaction to be gained by asking hel
questions, as you see."
"Mv good sir, was the reply, "Ill explain
the exact state of the case to you, and you can
Judge for yourself whether my conjecture is
with or without foundation. 1t is now about
two months since l received news Of the death
of nv only sister, Mrs Harding (she married
Young and went to reside in LiverpooD of ty'
phoid fever. Her husband had died twelve
month previous, leaving her with one child, a
girl, whom, on her death-bed, she bequeathed
to my care, not being on good terms with her
husbands family, and unwilling to have the
child given over to them. [ got precious
unpleasant letter from her old mother-in-law
on the subject, telling me of the bequest (Which
I could see she resented very strongly, having
apparently taken liking to the child) and
giving me notice of her intention to send her
on. Of course, 1 replied suitably, and have
ever since been expecting her, as | told you
but have been disappointed up to this time
She was to be sent under the escort OF man
named Thomas"
"Thompson was this mans name" interpos-
ed Darcy.
"Thompson, was it? I thought it was
Thomas; but it does not signify-we!l, at any
rate, that was the arrangement, which, as you
see, was accordingly carried out Most un'
fortunate catastrophe, that death Of the poor
fellows, wasn't it? Leaves one so much in
the dark k, too-but still can't feel any doubt
regarding the child's identity all the circum-
stances Of the case 60 to prove it-don't you
think so ?"
"The probabilities seem strong" said Darcy,
with a prlzzled look "Still, as regards GER
tainty-" J..
"Oh as regards certainty, of course It's
mere question of time to find that out; the
explanation must arrive before long. BE-
sides, 1 should suppose her clothing must be
marked with her name-hasn't any one taken
the trouble to find out?'
can investigation has been made; but,
strange to say, her clothes are merely marked
with the letter E."
"Humph that's odd. And the mans
trunk-papers, clothes, what not-is nothing
to be discovered among them"
"He had no trunk, believe; he merely
had portmanteau, containing wardrobe OF
very plain description, and no letters or pa,
pers of any kind"
"Humph!' said the gentleman again.
"Very unfortunate-very odd Still, | can't
feel any doubt about this being the child in
question-yet it seems singular that she
shouldn't know her own name, doesn't it!
She looks intelligent enough"
"She's all in a maze, poor little soul, what
with the fright Of the storm, and the mans
death, and all the strange faces around her,
said Darcy, compassionately. "Talk to her
again, sir; maybe she'll answer you better
now"
But all the endeavors of the gentleman to
elicit any farther information from the child
in regard to herself proved vain, and he was
forced at last to give up the attempt as tu'
tile one.
"Well, there's but one thing to be done,
he said, in resigned tone; "and that is, to
take her with ME, in any case III telegraph
Immediately to Liverpool Of her arrival, and
the answer to my message will set all doubts
concerning her at rest. / need not say" he,
added, grasping Darcy's hand, chow extreme
ly indebted to you am for your kind inten'
tion regarding her. Had Inot arrived in time
to claim her, your offered protection would
have been most opportune. BY the way. l
may as we'll give you my card-there it is
sir; my name is pretty we'll known hereabouts:
though am not a resident Of this State.
am spending some time with my brother, a
few miles out of the city, and expect to return
in a couple of weeks more to my own home
in South Carolina"
81 thought you were Southern gentleman
sir" said Darcy, smiling, "you find North
erners rather more cautious in their ways than
YOU seem to be. I'm Western man, myself
but I've always hada liking for the South
"Oh! I'm cautious enough, for that MATTER
good-humoredly answered the gentleman
whose card bore the name of John Blandford
scrawled in bold, free hand. at would be
brutal not to take care of the poor little thing
you know, Just because I've no present proof
of her identity. Well, sir, am afraid you
have been detained by this business considera'
bly, longer than you reckoned upon; you
must be anxious to get home"
81 am, rather" said Darcy, smiling. "My
wife and daughters will be glad enough to get
me back, safe and sound. They'd have been
down here, l know, if they had been sure the
vessel was coming in this morning. | am
heartily glad, sir, to leave the child i'll such
good hands as yours"
They exchanged a friendly lcavc-taking
and the mechanic hurried off, leaving Mr.
Blandford and his new charge together.
"Let me see," said the former, consulting
his substantial gold watch. "We'll take the
1920 train up that leaves i'll half all hour
You must be hungry, amt you, little one%
"No," said Estellc, under her breath.
"Really and truly, now, wouldn't you like
some sandwiches, or bit Of chicken, or some
fruit and cakes, before We start %
NO." was again the reply, i'll the same
subdued tone as before.
"Some candy, then? I know splcndit
candy-shop close by here. Come with me anC
I'll get pound or two for YOU"
She did not refuse this offer, and taking hel
small hand, Mr.. Blandtord led her out into
the street, and to the shop in question, where
a tempting supply of sweets was put up by hi
direction, and given into her custody. Jus
next door was Il toy-store, and seeing wa,