Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-03-01
The Stpr1y Tener.
KATE KENNEDY'S GHOST.
BY MRS. HENRY IDEAS.

KATE KENNEDY'S GHOST.
BY MRS. HENRY IDEAS.
CHAPTER XVII.
The Earl's recovery, owing to the combined
advantages of an "iron constitution, as Dr.
Manning called it, and of the best Of nursing,
was much more rapid than, from the nature
of his wound, might reasonably been expect.
ed; and in far shorter time than his stten'
dants had at all anticipated. he was about
again, though obliged, of course, to use due
precautions in regard to his health.
As soon as his strength permitted, he drove
over to the village to see the unfortunate
Wilherton, who still fingered in doubtful
condition of both mind and body, at times
appearing comparatively easy and collected,
then again falling prey to attacks of violent
delirium, usually succeededlby excessive pros
tratiop, from which it seemed almost impossi-
BILE for him to rally. He did not in the least
recognize the Earl, whom he addressed, on
each occasion of seeing him, by q different
name. He spoke often of Peterson, accusing
him of having abandoned him,in his need,
and would sometimes rave violently about the
we'll in the orchard, from which, he said, an
avenging spirit had rolled away the stone.
DR.. Manning declared that his only fit place
of abode was lunatic asylum, and that he
ought to be removed to one as soon as his bod.
ily health should permit; but he still required
constant medical attendance, and was tar too
weak at present to admit of such removal
being made. ~ ri gi. ss'fs3.. 5; .
The man who had shot Lord Desborough,
was all this time in custody in the parish Jail.
He obstinately refused to give his name, or
answer any questions, but frequently asked to
see the Earl, whom be was willing, he said,
to satisfy on every point The latter being
equally dssirous Of an interview, made an ex-
pedition to the Jail to see him, and was shown
into. q dingy little cell where he was confined.
The prisoner, who was lounging moodily in
q corner on the floor, got up as his visitor en-
tered, and stood regarding him with defiant
air. a 81 H5 -, =. :. :,
The close air of the cell oppressed the Earl,
who had not yet recovered his usual strength,
and turning to the jailor, he asked him if he
could not be permitted to converse with the
prisoner in some more open place. They
were accordingly conducted to large empty
apartment, opening on the lower corridor,
where = guard was stationed, and there left to
themselves. the guard remaining within call
in case his services should be required.
"Well," said Lord Desborough, looking at.
tentively at the man, in whose face he fancied
he saw something familiar, either in feature
or expression, 81 have come, you see, to lind
out your motive for attacking nae as you did.
You intended, presume, to kill me p
II did, was the emphatic reply. 81 wish
had taken better aim !"
$50 do not l." quietly rejoined the Earl.
"But tell me the reason of your grudge against
me. de not remember ever having seen
you before, and am, therefore, at q loss to uu.
derstand what cause of offence can have
given you" ...-, 49,. ...,.
"You have seen me BEFORE" said the man ;
"though at the time you didn't think it worth
your while to look at me. ...l.,.,.,..
"Where, and when ?" asked the Earl.
sIn Scotland, in Dumfredde parish, near
the minister's road, some fourteen years ago"
"In Scotland p repeated Lord Desborough
with start. In an instant it flashed over
him who this man must be.
"Is your name Kennedy" |" he asked, in an
agitated voice.
SAY. you've got it right" was the reply.
I'My name is Andrew Kennedy, and am
brother to Kate Kennedy-bonnie Katie
Kennedy, whom you seduced and afterwards
foully murdered. Do you want to know now
what grudge I bear against your" ..
"Good heavens OF what do you accuse
me?" cried the Earl, recoiliug. II guilty of
such crimes 7"
"Yes-you, you !" said the prisoner. advan.
cling step towards him, with vindictive
scowl. "I am not afraid of you, Earl of Des-
borough, nor ofyour high.souuding name. nor
of your power, in which know am placed
and T tell you to your face, you are vii
lain-a foul, black.dyed villain"
"But hear me-" replied the Earl. II should
indeed, be the villain you believe me, had
committed such deeds as those. I did your
sister no wrong, Andrew Kennedy. loved
her truly, and took her away from her home
with the intention of making her my wife.
Another hand than mine is guilty of her death
which I, too, have earnestly sought to avenge."
"What!' exclaimed Kennedy in an incred-
ulous tone. "Do you deny that you enticed
her away secretly, deceiving her with false
vows. and then, having wrought her ruin, and
wesrying of your toy, put an end to her poor
blighted life and went your way, successfully
concealing your crime?"
II do most emphatically deny it," replied
Lord Desborough. "Who told you such a
taleY'
81 picked up it by fragments; here bit
and there bit. Many long years sought in
vain to unravel the mystery; but by degrees
got it cleared up, and then I made it the pur-
pose of my life to be my sisters avenger.
And you tell me now that have been de.
ceived What proof can you give me of
this?"
"Listen," said the Earl. "and I will tell
you the story from beginning to end; and
you will find that however may have injur.
ed you and yours in being the primary cause
of your sisters unhappy fate, no one could
afterwards have lamented it more bitterly
than'I, or felt a stronger desire to bring down
deserved punishment on the destroyer's head. u
He then. as briefly as the subject permitted
but with clearness and fidelity Of detail that
carried conviction even to his hearers mind,
substantially related his story in connection
with that of poor Katie, saying in conclusion
"And now that you know all, and under
stand the miserable remorse to which I have
been prey all these years, will you not for.
give me for my fault, which I do not try to
palliate, but of which the love I bore your
sister was in truth the cause?'
NAY" said Kennedy in an hurnbled voice,
sit is 1 who should ask your forgiveness for
nv suspicious, and for the attempt l made
npon your life; but you will acknowledge