Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-01-30
He obtained, from mutual acquaintance,

for the present. He had no difficulty in find
ing them at their hotel, and sent in his card
with the request that he might be allowed to
speak tc Mr.. Crofton on subject Of i'm
portance. .
They had met once or twice before, in
casual way, and therefore greeted each other
now as acquaintances; though Mr.. Crofton
was undoubtedly surprised at Franks re-
quest for particular interview. He did not
express his surprise, however, but showed his
visitor into private room, where they were
safe from interruption. ....'.
"You will not. think, l hope, that am
taking an objectionable liberty" began
Frank, dashing at once into the subject
"when l venture to broach topic which
must naturally be very painful and dis
tressing. one to you. My, apology must be the
interest which feel in the matter, and which
I may safely say, is as deep one as your
own" ..s:.5'. '-s~,....
"Explain, my dear sir" said Mr.. Crofson
kindly. 81 am quite. ready to listen" He
saw that his young guest was agitated and
embarrassed, and wanted to put him at his
ease.
81 allude to the mysterious disappearance
of your ward, Miss Rathborne," continued
Frank. The words had scarcely passed his
lips, when MIR. Crofton jumped up from his
chair with, an agitated face, ..<s.
"Do you know anything-bave you heard
anything of her ?" he eagerly exclaimed.
"No sir-unhappily, 1 know nothing OF
her. 1t is to learn what can in regard to her
fate that come to you now." g..
Mr.. Crofton, with an expression Of deep
disappointment, sank back into his seat. 81
can tell you nothing absolutely nothing,
he said. "May ask your motive for desir-
ing the information?" .. .,..
81 am quite willing to give it, sir. My
motive is the wish and resolve to find your
ward, if she is still living. If she is not, to
satisfy myself beyond a doubt that all farther
search will be vain"
"And you are actuated in this wish by a
special interest in poor Mildred p i
"By the deepest interest, sir, that it is pos
sible for one human being to feel in another.
Your ward is-or was-dearer to me than I
can express, replied Frank, with emotion.
Mr.. Crofton looked earnestly at him. 81
knew nothing of this, until now," he said.
"Was she aware Of your sentiments toward
her ?" ,,...,,..... ...,l..,
81 never ventured to express them openly,
said Frank, "but don't think she could have
been quite ignorant of them. 1t may be pre-
sumption in me to dream that they should
ever meet with return. But whether, in
case Of her being found, she should prove in
different to my affection or not, the uncertain
ty can make no difference in the course am
taking now. am willing to explore the re-
motest corners of the earth on the chance OF
finding her"
Mr.. Crofton was silent for moment. He
was evidently very much surprised, and a
little perplexed, by what he heard.
"Let US come to clearer understanding, if
you please, Mr.. Coventry" he said, presently,
drawing his chair little nearer his visitor as
he spoke. "Won't you 60 back to the begin
ming, and tell me how and when you first met
Mildred, and why it was that / did not know
of this attachment Indeed, | was scarcely
aware that you were mutually acquainted
Frank, as he was in duty bound, complied
with this request, by briefly sketching the cir
cumstances of his first acquaintanceship with
Mildred, and their subsequent intercourse.
His honest, straightforward manner carried
conviction with it, and left no doubt of his
sincerity in the mind of his listener.
eff my adopted child were with me new" !"
he said, when Frank had finished, nothing
would please me better than have her reward
your constapcy as it deserves, But, ! fear, /
greatly fear, that it is worse than folly to
dream of the possibility of her ever being
restored to us. l have long since reconciled
myself to the conviction that she is lost to us
forever" . ...... ...... .:... .. ... -. '.-..
"Do you mean that you believe her to be
dead?" asked Frank in low voice. -.
81 do, most assuredly. Were she living,
she could not fail to have been discovered.
through the exertions which have been made.
Don't you know have had the most expe-
rienced detectives in Europe and America
continually on the search ?" 80.
81 know that" rejoined Frank, "but still l
am not convinced Of her death" 49,. ...
'What reason have you for doubling it p
"Simpy the absence of all proof in the
matter" .. ....... ....
''There could not well be any proof, be-
yond the absolute fact that she has totally
disappeared" .... ......:. .. ...
81 know" said Frank, "that it seems mere
folly in me to differ from the generally-ac-
cepted opinion, which bears so much reason
on its surface; yet an indefnable PRESENT.
ment assures me that she will one day be
found" =. ...-,. .... ........ .... ....... 70
"My dear young friend, can only say that
I fear you are encouraging yourself in de-
lusion. God knows L would gladly share
your hopes if could"
"You cannot say more to discourage me
than I have already heard" said Frank.
"Others believe, like yourself, that l am fol-
lowing mere phantom of the imagination. "
"And still you are not deferred from fol-
lowing it"
"No, sir nor will I ever be, until 1 become
convinced that it is, indeed, delusion."
uWall - eoid Mr. Crofton after another