Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-02-11
CHI HAPTE R XIII.
MRS, ANTHONY.

"Schooner ahoy !" shouted the oarsman, as
he drew up close under the side of the vessel.
"Ay ay," responded a voice, and figure
advanced to the edge Of the deck. "Is it you,
shipmate?"
"Nobody else."
"But there are two other laddies, as far as l
see," was the rejoinder, accompanied by a
laugh. $50 s'pose everything run smooth.
"Let down a ladder. or snnaeshing, and be
quick, said Leon, imperiously. This young
lady is half dead with the cold. It's con-
founded chilly night"
you'll find drop of summat warm inside,
to cheer you up" replied the man. "Heres
your ladder, all ready-steady, Joe, steady;
bring her little closer up-so!. Now sir,
I'll give the young lady a hand"
"No occasion" said Leon and mounting the
ladder first, he reached down his hand to Nita
and helped her to ascend after him. In
moment more,she was standing on the deck, or
rather leaning for support against Leon, for
she was tremblingin every limb with mingled
fear and cold.
"Mrs Anthonyw shouted the man. "Mrs.
Anthony! "Come along here, quick, will
you be so kind 2"
"Is she Gomez" rejoined woman's voice;
and directly its owner came hurrying up the
cabin-steps
"Come with me, my DEAR" she said, ap-
preaching Nita, and taking her hand. "Pll
carry you below and make you comfortable.
Mercy on u.s. how you are shivering; and
your hands are like ice. I hope you have
not got a chill"
"Nita, do you feel ill?' asked Leon, anx-
iously.
mo, am not ill.," she replied, with chat
tering teeth.
"I'l give her some nice hot lemonade" said
Mrs. Anthony. "Come, my child, get out of
this cold air as quickly as possible. You'll
find nice snug little berth all ready for you"
Encouraged by her kind tone, and feeling
it an inexpressible relief to have the counte-
nance and protection of one Of her own sex,
again, Nita allowed herself to be led off to
the cabin. Here light was burning, and on
little table were spread some refreshments,
of which her new acquaintance pressed her to
partakc. She felt, however, too sick and faint
to eat and having drank a small portion of
some hot beverage prepared for her by Mrs.
Anthony, and called by the latter, lemonade,
she begged to be allowed to lie down and rest.
"Let you lie down, my dear? That will
it'll be the best thing for you. I'll spread
warm covering over you, and maybe thatll
keep off a chill. But you must have had
horrid time of it on the water"
To this remark Zanita made no reply. She
was too bewildered by the novelty of her situ-
alton to be capable of much conversation,
. even had she felt inclined for it. 1t was with
a feeling of thankfulness that she found her
self lying, alone and in the dark, in a COM
Portable berth, with leisure to reflect Oh the
astounding change that had so suddenly come
over her prospects.
That Leon would oblge her to marry him,
she felt no doubt. He had already given her
sufficient proof of his determination to con-
vince her that, without hel p of some kind, it
would be totally impossible for her to extri-
cate herself from his power. And where
could she hope for such help? The people
she was now among were absolute strangers to
her, and Leon had told her they were enlisted
in his cause Might she not however, by ju-
dicious management, enlist Mrs. Anthony's
sympathy, and win her over to her side? She
seemed to be kind, friendly.disposed person,
and perhaps she might lend her some assis-
tance. But then, how gould she escape from
the boat and get back to her own people with
out Icons knowledge? His vigilance never