Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-02-20


which the newspapers had been teeming, OF
Mildred's abduction, and the steps instituted
for her recovery! The cause Of this was
easily explained. 81 abhor newspapers,
said the baronet cts popularity of mine
that I never read them. Add to this the
facts of my long illness, my seclusion from
all society, and the interest which Carey had
in keeping me in ignorance, and it won't
seem so singular to you that these circumstan-
ces have never come to my knowledge.
have been more dead than alive for the past
two years; but heaven be thanked, I've
lived long enough to see villainy frustrated
and justice done. Of course you know"
Here he suddenly checked himself, cough
ed, and changed the subject. He had been
about to speak of his intentions respecting
Mildred, but thought it best, for the present,
to say nothing about them.
In the mean while, journeying by easy
stages, the heroine Of so many adventures,
attended by Clarrissa, (who had regained
possession Of of her cherished box, and found
it intact,) Lena Coventry, and Col. and Mrs.
Mansfield, was approaching the scene where
her future destiny was to be decided, and
that within a very short space of time.
The party arrived few hours after Frank,
and, though strangers to the master of the
house, met with most hospitable welcome.
Sir Roxwell looked with a peculiar interest
upon Mildred; and treated her with such
fatherly care that she soon felt perfectly at
home.
Frank had settled in his own mind that he
would leave at the same time as the Mans
fields, who, with his sister, were to proceed on
the following morning to Canterbury. Hat
tie Mansfield and Lena we're old friends, and
the health of the latter having been a little
delicate lately, her parents had been prevail
ed upon to allow her to join the Mansfield
family in a visit to the south Of England,
where they had relatives living, and expected
to remain several weeks. Lena considered it a
particularly happy circumstance that the jour-
ney should have taken place just at this
time; for though her grand wish to be instru'
mental, in some way, in finding Mildred and
restoring her to her friends, was frustrated,
still it was some consolation to have been on
the spot when she toas found She had al
ready established herself in the friendship and
confidence of her heroine, and had told her
great deal-not betraying Franks secret,
for that she would have considered dishonor-
able; but saying enough in favor Of this dar-
ling brother, and Of his recent enterprise, to
give Mildred food for considerable thought.
1t was Just at twilight, when Frank, hav-
ing strolled out alone with cigar, returned
from his ramble and entered the library,
which was not yet lit. Mildred was sitting
there, having just been engaged in a confer
ence with Sir Roxwell, who had but mo-
ment since left her to attend to some house
Hold affair." She rose from her seat as Frank
entered, hesitated a moment, as if in some
embarrassment, then frankly advanced to-
wards him.
"Mr: Coventry" she said very simply and
quietly, II learned from your sister, during
our drive here, what debt I owe you for
your exertions in my behalf Please let me
thank you now, though it is hard for me to
say what really feel" !,
"Good heavens I" cried Frank, "Lena sure
ly did not make you suppose that I consider
ed myself entitled to any thanks for"
"she made me suppose nothing" interrupt
ed Mildred, "except that you had generously
devoted yourself to very difficult enterprise,
in which every one else had already failed,
out of the kindest and most disinterested mo-
tives For had certainly no claim"
Her voice trembled little in spite of her.
self, and she stopped, unwilling to betray her
increasing agitation: She had thought it only
right to make the acknowledgment, and had
carefully chosen her form of words before.
hand but, somehow, it was less easy to say
them calmly and properly than she had hoped
it would be-
"Claim |" echoed Frank. "You little
know He stopped abruptly, debating
within himself whether or not he should take
advantage Of this opportunity. 1t seemed al.
most unfair, but the temptation was greater
than mortal man could resist. o.,..
ut would have been the happiness Of my
life" he went on hurriedly, ito have found
you. would have given everything / possess
to have done this much to win place in your
regard" ... .. .....:.
"Be assured that am deeply grateful for
what you have DONE" she replied in low
tone.
Grateful Oh! Mildred-there can be
no question of gratitude from you to me.
Don't you know that would lay down my
life for you-that 1 have struggled through
the misery and uncertainty Of the last eighteen
months, only with one cheering hope to bright
en- my path-the hope of winning your lover"
"Provided she was ever found, suppose
you mean," interrupted Sir Roxwell's voice,
as the old gentleman came in. "Excuse me
for intruding at such an interesting moment
but 1 didn't know that you, young man, were
in here, and unintentionally overheard your
last words. So there's love-affair between
you two, is there ?"
Frank, vexed beyond measure at the inter.
ruption, scarcely knew how to reply. At last
he said, in naughty tone
81 cannot answer for Miss Rathbone's feel
ings on the subject, sir, but of my own can
only say that they have been in existence
ever since first had the happiness of know
ing her."