Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-02-24
!, an 0riginal sturp.
RxTaG8U&s.Ae,e,
AsTHRILLINa STORY OF WESTERN LIFE
BY MRS. HENRY IDEAS.
CHAPTER XIV.

BY MRS. HENRY, IDEAS.
''.'. E'..' . CHAPTER XIV. >-...s
The wisdom of Picciola's decision soon be-
came apparent, form less than quarter of an
hour the sky became entirely. obscured, the
wind rapidly increased in violence, and large
drops Of rain began to fall. The boarders Of
the HGoid Brick" came hurrying in from their
work to seek refuge from the storm, and soon
theiriloud voices and noisy laughter were
echoing through the house. But Picciola
though she heard them, had been ensconced
by Mrs. Mundy in her own, private, room
and fwas therefore screened from their some
what rough company She sat by the win
dow, looking out at the unfamiliar landscape,
which was dreary enough one now, though
it had looked cheerful and pleasant in the
sunshine. Evening was approaching, and she
began, to fear that she might be detained all
night at the hotel In fact, even if the storm
should abate, it would be TOO late to venture
forth without the chance Of finding another
shelter for the night She had no doubt from
the experience she bad had Of Mrs. Mundy's
hospitality, that she would willingly accommo-
date her. u And though anxious to, pursue her
journey, she had just made up her mind that
itwould be most expedient for her to remain,
when she was startled at the sight Of two
horsemen galloping toward the house, in On one
Of whom she; recognized the unmistakable
figure of the very person whom she was in
quest,ofrrthei dreaded, Alasqueslwril 'n.
oI She involuntariy withdrew from the win
dow in order to escape observation and
With beating heart listened to the sounds be-
low, which, directly after, indicated bis arrival
and that of his companion at the tavern, and
their reception by ,thelandlady, who conduct
ed themsinto the bar-room, where they could
dry their drenched clothing and obtain some
ofthe "creature comforts" with which the
bar of the "Gold Brick" was always literally
.soppliiedl. ....,, as. :. ....: ,...4,,
As soon after as it was practicable for Mrs.
Mundy to leave her guests, she came bustling
upto Picciola, a,with face of mingled import.
ance and ALARM >-o:1 - ~ "i' "i
2r'sLook here, mavourneen," she said, IN a
whisper, eff tell ye somethin' don't ye be
q know" replied Picciola in the same
tone. ~ saw him from the window" "ei.@.
-, 1T IS him, thini Obi but he's villain
,ous looking craytur, with thin black shiny
eyes and that cut across his face. 1 thought
as soon as 1 set my eyes on him that couldn't
be mistaken. And now, avick, what II ye
be doin'?. Yen not let him see you, sure"'
sNo-Qtj no. That would do no good:
But, perhaps IinigHt ind out where he is
going. Could you ind out, Mrs. Mundy,
and let me know? Then I would 60 right off
and give information about him"
"I'll be sure to ak him, quite unconcerned
like, so as he'll not care whether he tells me
or not. Maybe he'll stay here all night"
"Away went the stout hostess, quite filled
with the Importance of her mission. She was
extremely anxious to assist Picciola, as. we'll
as to have justice done to the 'craytur," who
so richly deserved punishment for his crimes.
She found no encouragement, however, to con-
verse with Alasquez, who proved exceedingly
tacitarn, and would vouchsafe only the brief
est replies to her insinuating remarks. In
deed, he showed scarcely more inclination to
converse with bis comrads who shared his re-
past, and with whom he exchanged but one
or two words while they sat at table. ...
lh"Have you decided to remain here for the
night2" asked the. latter, in q low tone, in
Spanish, when their meal was finished and
they rose from their seats. ....
l."I suppose I'll have to. I have had enough
riding to-day, and this -- storm" (inter-
larded here with a frightful Spanish oath)
'sseems likely to last for some hours yet.
And that beast of mine would only break
down if I attempted to urge him farther. "
Then, turning to the landlady, he asked if she
could accommodate his companion and him
self with chamber and bed, or a couple of
beds, for the night. .. ...
"Sure an can, eaisy enough. There's an
illigant spare room upstairs, with lovely bed
in it, big enough for three. Judy Mundy
would niver fail to find accommodation for
jintlemen, like yerselves, an that ye might
swear to-. was the a8able reply. "Come
along up an I'll show it to ye, at once, if ye
like" ..... ......
The two men followed her up the narrow
stairs, to the second floor, where she ushered
them into the much -lauded spare-room, which
happened to be exactly next to the one in
which Picciola was, at that moment, sitting.
"This will do," said Alasquez: glancing
around. HSend US up some whisky and a
couple of pipes, will you2 We shall be more
comfortable here than down stairs
"I'll'be kindlin' the fire for ye, won't l.
thin Sure an it's too cold up here for com
fort"
"No-no FIRE! Nothing but what told
you, and be quick about it, if you please,
said Alasquez, in peremptory tone. Mrs
Mundy accordingly brought the pipes and
Jug of liquor, which she set on the table in
company with pitcher of water, some brown
sugar and two cracked mugs. And being left
to themselves, the two worthless began to enjoy
their seclusion, after their own fashion, pour
ing down whisky as though it was the mild
est stuff in the world, and emitting from their
pipes dense clouds of smoke, which soon al
most completely filled the room. ...t
"Phew this is sitting" said Alasquez. pre-
!