Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-01-30
Au 0riginal Starg~
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
MISS CAREY'S BOX.
BY AN OLD CONTRIBUTOR.
CHAPTER TX.

.... ..s CHAPTER TX. -.:... ..... ...
"Father," said Frank one morning, ven
turing upon delicate subject at an appa
rently propitious moment; Sir Francis being
in unusually good health and spirits, eff you
are willing to spare me for time, | should
like to make little trip to the Continent be-
fore long" ...... ..:,...... 49,. ,..,.-
"A trip to the Continent" echoed his
father. What for, Frank-for pleasure r
"Not entirely for pleasure, sir. Indeed
honestly speaking, it is not for pleasure" said
Frank reddening, but determined to come to
the point without finching. "but to satisfy
myself in regard to a matter Of vital impor'
tance." ...,.,. . ..... ....s. 1.rt, ..-.
Sir Francis looked keenly at him. cam
to be made party to this important MATTER
he asked, cor is tia secret| -" '.
"I do not wish to have any secret from you,
father. 1 am going to find, if l can, some
clue to Mildred Rathbone's fate" .,
Sir Francis made petulant gesture. "Fol-
ly and nonsense, Frank haven't you given
up that wild idea yet? ! tell you the girl is
dead, without a doubt" .- "...., -.
"That fact has not been established" re-
ioined Frank. "When it is, shall give up
hope; but not before?" .'.'.. ''..'
at can never be established, more than it
already is" said his father. "You know, as
we'll as do, that no means have been left un'
tried to find her and there can be but one
reason for her total disappearance-the reason
which has been accepted by her family and
friends as, fact, supported by circumstan'
tial evidence as strong as proof" ."
1T is no proof to my mind replied Frank.
"I know that because she has not been found
she is supposed to be dead. But l believe
that more eHectual steps may be taken for her
recovery, than have been taken yet, and |
mean, if 1 can, to set them in notion" ~.
"You will find your efforts wasted, . said his
father, sand your time and money thrown
away. What do you propose to do first p
"See Mr. Crofton and learn the exact par,
ticulars of her disappearance, which ! have
never yet been able to discover .....
"He can give you little satisfaction on that
point, if the account generally accepted OF
the matter is correct" :. .t:,.l:.:.. ... ...;
."Never mind. He may be able to give me
some useful hints. After that, may 60 to
America, if I see chance of anything being
accomplished by the move" ''.'
"To America! That will be an expensive
journey, as I suppose you are aware" -.
"Yes sir, but have money sufficient for it.
knew that you would not be able to assist
me in my undertaking, so I reserved sum
originally destined for a different purpose,
which l think will cover all expenses.
shall economize, Of course, as much as pos
sible"
Sir Francis was silent for time. At last
he said, without looking at Frank
81 suppose you have made up your mind
then, to marry this girl if ever she should be
found, common sense and prudence to the con
trary notwithstanding.
"My mind has long been made up on that
point, father, But wish" said Frank, com
ing nearer to Sir Francis and speaking very
earnestly, II do wish that you could enter
into my feelings on this subject, and not main
tain such resolate opposition to my'plans
1t grieves me to feel that l am not acting in
accordance with your views; but if you knew
how deeply my welfare is concerned-"'
"My dear boy, l know that you are pur,
-
suing a shadow, and it vexes me to see you
have so little common-sense, said Sir Fran.
els, with degree of impatience he could not
repress. II desire to see you happy, but
see no prospect of your reaching this end by
the road you have undertaken to pursue. In
the first place, as I have repeatedly said, rea'
son and facts, indisputable facts, point to the
conclusion that there is no such person now
living as the one you are about to try to find
You are, therefore, going on a wild:goose
chase, which in all probability will result in
fatal disappointment to your hopes. Admit
ting, however, that there is a possibility
(mind, don't believe it) bare possibility o1
her being discovered, consider you the most
unlikely of all persons to be the one to effect
that discovery. Then again, if she is discov
cred, what right have you to expect that she
will marry you ?" - .. .... '..
81 have no right to expect that she will,
replied Frank, "but I have the right to ask
her, at all events" ''.'
"Well l put that question aside, for ii
does not affect the subject much. I do not
suppose twill ever be put to the test. But
what will the world say to your running
about on such quest as this? You will be
an object of general and rather unpleasant
comment"
81 shall not blazon my intentions to the
world, sir. Cannot I 60 abroad for few
weeks or months, without exciting speculation