Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-02-01

OsS l. AA ~ AO0A/ ~ -
coming again to her. side. "Let me advise
you, Geraldine, to have Meredith in your
room tonight. It will make you feel more
secure to know that You are not alone. But
now, let me tell you, of something which is in
my mind. Do you know that since you have
told me of your experience tonight, and also
on that 6rst occasion, and I have coupled it
with my own, I am moved, by q very strong
impulse, to 60 to my place in Essex and
make another desperate search for some clue
to Katie's fate?"
'"After all these years! It would be USE
less," she replied.
"I am not sure of that. 1t seems to me
that these manifestations-vis visitations-what-
ever We may term shem-must be sent to US
with some special object The vision, on each
occasion of its appearance, has been in the
attitude of beckonipg or pointing toward the
door, as if signaling US to follow it out When
it did not appear, and we simply felt its pres
ence, it signi6ed the same desire. Did it not
bid you three timsssto come, and did you
not feel its hand ?" = MI .~-s....,. 80
"Yes," interrupted Geraldine, in an agita-
ted voice, "but if you knew what a horrible
sensation the very remembrance causes
me" ... ..a #
II would not recall it2 Well, again,
must sue for your pardon. But thought
you were too strong. minded woman, Geral.
dine, to allow yourself to be so entirely over
come"
II do not pretend to be strong.minded, my
lord. find, in fact, that I am very weak
minded-in more respects than one."
II have yet to discover that" said the Earl.
"However, as Twas saying, have conceived
a strong desire to 60 to Essex and Gee what
I can do there. My only difficulty is-lesv'
ing you here alone" =.
"That difficulty could be obviated," said
Geraldine, timidly, "but in q way, it is true,
which you might not find agreeable"
"And what is that, may I ask ?"
"By allowing me- to accompany you."
"Allowing you! I should be extremely
glad of your companionship,". said Lord
Desborough, cordially. "But did not pro-
pose such scheme, knowing how many diff:
fculties are in the way. For one thing alone,
the house there now is barely habitable."
II could make it more comfortable for you,
my lord"
"Nay, Geraldine, if it is on my account
that you wish to go"
ut is not on your account alone, or even
chiefly, that I wish it," said Geraldine, quick
ly. "The truth. is, I do not care to remain
here alone. But if you object to my accom-
panying you, could, of course, 60 to my
mothers house, and remain there until your
return"
Heaven forbid" hastily exclaimed the
Earl. Excuse me, Geraldine, do not mean
anything disrespectful-but unless you have
particular desire to see your mother again
already, do not see the necessity for you to
pay her a visit 80 soon. Come with me, by
all means, if you are not afraid of the incon-
veniences of the trip. As l said before, l
shall be only too glad of your society"
Geraldine was secretly overjoyed at this
permission, which was too readily given to
allow her to feel any reluctance to profit by
it. Not for worlds would she have remained
without her husbands protection in this
"haunted house." as she now considered it to
be, and she was almost equally averse to the
idea of returning, even temporarily to her
former home, though she had herself proposed
to do 80.
"When will you start ?" she asked.
"As soon as you can get ready" replied
the Earl.
"I can be ready at any moment; to'mor-
row, if you wish it, and at as early an hour
as you please. How long do you propose to
stay ?"
"That must depend upon circumstances.
I may remain but few days; I may be de-
tained much longer. Our best plan will be
to carry a sufficient wardrobe for week, and
if we find that we are obliged to prolong our
stay, we can send back home for whatever
else we need. I fear, however, that it will be
hurrying you too much to set off as early as
tomorrow morning"
"By no means. Meredith can put up my
things easily tonight She will not, of course,
20 with US? 7"
"Why not You can not dispense. with
her services"
Geraldine smiled. "You forget, my lord,
how many years have played lady's maid
for myself" she rejoined. AT home, I was
quite unaccustomed to be waited upon, and
will find no difficulty in resuming my old
habits. Itsppears to me that Meredith, on
such an excursion, would be rather useless
appendage."
"Perhaps you are right" said the Earl.
"You will, however, need some one about you
to keep the house comfortable, for We can de-
pend on only rough country help out there.
shall take Judson With us-he can turn his
hand, on occasion, to almost anything and 1
think that one of the younger servants-that
nicelooking girl who assists to keep. your
rooms in order, for instance-would be your
best choice"
"You mean Alice. Yes, she will do very
we'll, / think. Well, since that is settled, and
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