Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-04-25
Au @rigiual Stprg,
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
MARY EUSTACE; {;
OR,
TRUST BETRAYED.
CHAPTER XII.

fore her. AS she dld not WISH any oue w eus'
psct her intention of leaving she made her
preparations as privately as possible. Once
under Mr.. Gives protection, she knew she
could write home for anything she needed
and, therefore, decided to carry with her only
small travelling satchel, filled with few ne
cessary articles. The cars left the depot early
in the morning, and it would be requisite for
her to use the carriage in getting there, since
it was much too far for her to walk. Quite
late, the night before, after the rest of the
family had retired, she sent her maid to desire
the coachman to come to her, as she wished
to speak to him and when he came, Informed
him that she was unexpectedly obliged to
leave home on visit, and would require the
carriage at daylight the next morning. but
don't come to the front door, Daddy John,
she added, "because it's no use to disturb the
house so early. I'll come round to the yard
gate, and go of by the back road"
"But how about the baggage, Missy !" ask
ed the old man, who was very fond of her,
and quite willing to follow her directions.
"Won't have to come for that?"
"Oh there won't be any baggage. | mean
to send for my trunk if need it. Now
you'll be sure to be ready in time, won't you 7
The cars leave at half past seven"
II know, ma'am. I'll be ready at five, or
earlier if you like
"Say half past four, then" said Mary, who
did not wish to run any risk of being seen
when she took her departure It'll be at the
gate about that time"
"But, Missy. are you going off alone p was
old Johns next inquiry.
."Oh! yes, I'm not afraid to 20 alone. Trav-
cling on this road is quite safe, you know"
missy, you amt heard any bad news from
Master, has your asked the old man, anxious.
", for it now occurred to him that this sud.
den move on her part might be in some man.
ner connected with bis masters affairs.
"No; have not heard any news at all, for
ever so long," replied Mary, sadly. "War is
a bad thing, isn't it, Daddy John ?"
"Bad amt no expression for it." said John,
EN- phatically "It's wicked and onnat'ral
for folks, as the Bible tells to 'love one anoth'
err to 20 aud shoot guns and cannons, to de-
stroy whole armies like so many focks of pig.
eous at once And what'll come of us mig
gers, Missey, if masters destroyed, as he may
be, like so many others has been And the
old place too"
ooh, hush !'' said Mary, who, in her present
disturbed state, could not bear to listen to any
doleful suppositions. Don't let US even think
of such thing happening as that You'd
better 20 now, Daddy John. It's getting late,
and we must be up early tomorrow, you
know"
The old man accordingly retired, and Ma
~ sat down to indite letter of explanation
to Mrs. Blanding, in order that her secret de-
parture might not inAict too great shock on
that lady's nerves, which were never of the
strongest. In this she simply stated, that for
reasons which she could not at present ex-
plain, she was obliged to leave Mosslands for
a time and hoped she would excuse her for
setting of so unceremouiously; that she would
write again when she reached her destination.
and tell her more fully of her intentions.
She also enclosed note to Adelia, much to
the same effect and having directed her en-
velope and laid it in conspicuous place on
her table, she completed her preparations,
even to the putting in readiness her hat, cloak
and gloves, and then went to bed, though she
felt too nervous to sleep.
She dressed in the morning without waking
her special attendant, who slept in little
room adjoining hers, and, satchel in hand,
slipped quietly out at the back door, unseen.
She reached the gate safely, found the carriage
waiting for her, entered it, and next minute
was being rapidly driven away from Moss
lands-to see it again. when and how?
Her departure was not made known to the
household until breakfast-time, when Mrs.
Bandiug sent to inquire the reason of her
non.appearance, and Mary's letter was then
brought her. Up went the old lady's hands
when she read it, and she gave vent to such a
gssping, and amazed CALCULATIONS, that both
her companions asked, at once, what was the
matter.
"She's gone-nobody knows where" said
the widow, family "and what'll the Colonel
say?"
Adelia gave Maurice swift glance. His
face had grown as black as night
"Gone-that's nonsense p he sharply ex.
claimed, as he rose from his seat. "Let me
see the letter"
Mrs. Blanding, still too bewildered to take
exception at his uncourteous manner, handed
him the letter without word. AS she did
so. the enclosed note to Adelia, which had
dropped out of it, unperceived, into her lap
slipped to the floor. She picked it up and
examined the direction.
Here's something to you, Miss Adeia-
more mystery" she said, in melancholy
tone, as she handed it to her. Miss St. Maul
opened it quickly, glanced through it, and
tossed it across the table to Maurice.
"You may read that, too, if you choose,
she said, with slight smile "Do the con
tents surprise you very much ?
"As much as they do you, presume" he
replied, giving her an angry glance. "Un
less, perhaps, you were cognizant of Miss
Eustace's intended departure. Possibly, you
were already in her con6dence1
II knew nothing of it, whatever" sale
Adelia. Nevertheless, am not so over
come with astonishment as [ might be under
different circumstances.