Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-02-08
CHAPTER XIII.

..... CHAPTER XIII. .
In the same little village Of Rloxton, whicl
lay contiguous to Lord Desborough's Esse,
property, there Sat, in the upper: room of .
plain but respectable house, on the day afte
the Earl's arrival at the cottage, two men
who presented singular contrast to eacf
other, az far as outward appearance went
The one was burly, broad-shouldered indi
vidual, with black hair and cunning grey
eyes, forid complexion, and black whisker
closely cropped. His portly figure was at
tired in suit of black broadcloth Of a rather
jaunty cut, and on his little finger glitterec
a large diamond-whether genuine or not il
matter of speculation-in an elaborate golt
setting, while studs to correspond shone con
spicuously on his immaculate shirt front
His companion was pale, gaunt-lookine
man, with strangely wild and wandering
expression Of countenance. His features
which might once have been comely, were
worn and sharpened by suffering or disease
His long hair hung in struggling locks nearly
to his shoulders, and combined with bis dis
ordered dress and restless glances, to give
him the appearance of one not in his righ,
mind, or, at least, of very eccentric disposi
ton. ,r ..-Hs.. $685.. -.
You see, Mr.. Clement" the first described
parsonage was saying, in an argumentative
tone, ;"this affair is pretty much run into the
ground now, as the saying is. It's getting to
be little tiresome, considering how long it'e
been on hand. I've about come to the con
clusion that it's hardly worth my while to in
terest myself in it any longer. There's plen'
ty of other business that has to occupy my
attention, and pays better, too"
"Other business l-other business! Good
God, Peterson, what business can be of a.
much importance asthis p excitedly rejoined
the other. "How can you talk Of giving il
up, when you know how entirely it lies in
your hands s-when you know that my fate il
involved in it! You, man of honor, tc
speak in such q wayw
"Well, well-don't agitate yourself about
it," said Peterson, coolly. "Of course, if you
make it matter of pounds, shillings and
pence, and agree to raise my salary, as SAID
before, I had just as lief continue to help you
along as not. But you know we'll enough
that I'm not rich mani have q family tt
support, and I'm bound to consider them.
don'tSfeel justified in neglecting other things
that come in my way, and that might turr
to good account, unless you are willing tc
compensate me for letting them 60. 1 can,
look after twenty matters at once."
"But how much of your time does my bus
iness occupy?" pleaded Mr.. Clement. "1ts
only your counsel-your protection, in fact
that desire. That cannot prevent your at
tending to other affairs"
"Can't it? You don't consider the worry
of mind-the immense responsibility have
to bear" said Peterson. "Just think of the
number of years have been hampered with
this secret Of yours It's regular millstone
hung around my neck. Good Lord it's az
bad sometimes Us if I'd done the deed myself
almost" a.. = ... .
"Hush for Heavens sake, don't speak SO
loud-walls have ears" said the other, with
an apprehensive glance around.
"Pshaw there's nobody listening,". rejoin.
ed Peterson. He got up from his chair, and
in an impatient manner walked up and down
the room, his companion meanwhile staring
6xedly at him, and nervously drumming on
the table with his fingers.
eff you'll only consider little, Peterson,
I'm sure you will change your mind-you
won't press me so hard" said the latter, plead.
ingly, at length. "You know how my affairs
stand. You know that can just manage to
pay you as much as now do. Be just to
me, Peterson, and don't insist on more"
"Just?" echoed Peterson, stopping in bis
walk, and regarding him with an indignant
air. I'D like to know what justice has got
to do with it?"
"Ohly this, that you agreed to work for me
for so much-it was all settled between US at
the beginning; and and you've raised your
demands no less than four times already-al.
ways pressing ME harder and harder, no mat
ter what difficulties I might be in. And as
long as had the money to give you did it
denying myself everything that might be
able to do so. Was that just, after all your
pretense of friendship? Is it just now, when
there is no cause for your doing so-no fresh
risk to run, no greater responsibility to as
sume2"
"Now, that shows exactly how much you
know about it, Mr.. Clement" said his com
panion, as he resumed his seat. "What, if
tell You that there Is fresh risk to be run
an immense risk, too-an immense danger
hanging over US, Just at this present timer"
Mr.. Clement half started from his chair
his eyes rolling wildly, his lips quivering
while an ashy pallor spread itself over biz
already bloodless face. "What? What
Where ?" he stammered, in husky, tremu
lous voice. "For Gods sake, Peterson, tell
me what you mean"
II mean this" said Peterson, slowly, and
watching his face narrowly as he spoke, te
mark the effect of his words, "that Lord Des
borough is now in this neighborhood, and
likely to remain 80, as far as / know, for an
indefinite time"
"Desborough here lin this place7"
Il said in this neighborhood-he is staying
at the cottage"
"At Glen Cottage
"Ay, sir, at Glen Cottage. He and Lady
Desborough and two servants arrived there
Yesterday, and I hear they are having the
house put in order. That looks as if they
had come for something of visit, don't it ?
"What is to become of mef" muttered Mr.
Clement, while his bony fingers clasped them
selves convulsively together. II cannot re
main here I must get away, and at once
Should meet him, am undone."
1--WE can talk about that" said Peterson
ut is not likely that he knows of your being
here. If you keep close, you may avoid
meeting without much difficulty"
"Do you think so? But what If he doe
know? What if he had traced me outH i
may be that which has brought him here
Peterson, help me-advise me! You vii
not desert me, no,u =
"Mr. Clement, that just brings US back tt
the point that we started from" said Peter