Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-01-16

them myself. And what could put the no.
tion into your head that there is anybody
hoping to come in for my property? Do you
know of such person?"
Certainly not" Joshua meekly answered.
"Then why the deuce do you start such an
idea and why should anybody care if it ,Oas
so?' I've no relatives to bother themselves
about me, and mighty few friends. You
know how long lived abroad. England is
scarcely like my home. I didn't suppose, as
regards any claims others may have upon me,
or any obligations Of mine to do this, that
or the other for anybody, there is a more in
dependent man alive than l." ......,...,.
~ know that, Sir Roxwell. I know all
that. Pardon me for making any suggestions
that are distasteful to you. spoke merely
at random" Joshua fastened to reply, anx-
ious to propitiate the irritated old man.. 81
was only trying to sift this little mystery, as
well as could but had no intention Of
displeasing you.
"Oh we'll, it's no matter" said Sir Rox-
we'll, softening, ~ don't want to quarrel with
you, Carey, Of all people; for I'm sure you
are the best friend I have. I did not intend to
speak impatiently just now; but sick man
isn't accountable for all that he says, you
know"
my dear Sir Roxwell! don't speak in
that way; require no apology" said Josh
ua, earnestly. you have been too truly my
friend and benefactor for me ever to doubt
the kindness of your intentions"
II don't know about being benefactor.
We may cry quits on that score" said Sir
Roxwell, who was, easily appeased. "You
have been invaluable to me during my sick
ness-particularly the last attack-and l
don't hesitate to say so. And this much,
man, I'll say to you, in con6dence-if that
girl doesn't turn up, you may look out to be
handsomely treated by me, one of these days
You deserve it. In any case, you'll not fail
to reap reward but if the cousin ever Is
found, of course you understand that she'll
be the one to be mainly considered" a
"No one would be more delighted, in such
case, than l." replied Joshua. "As to the
rest, your kindness overwhelms me. And
I'm sure, my dear, kind friend, you will &C.
quit me of all selfish or interested motives, in
doing the little I have been able to do for
you. l never dreamed Of reaping any re.
ward, beyond the mere qualification Of feel
ing myself instrumental to your welfare"
"Ah ! WELL" rejoined Sir Roxwell, tumb-
ling himself weariiy over on his pillow, 1--WE
have discussed the subject enough for the
present. Let me have my drops now. I
think shall try to sleep" - '>S
Whether or not he thought that he had
spoken too plainly on the subject, he did not
revert to it again, but carefully avoided any
further allusion to Mildred, or the property.
But he had said enough to FIJI Joshua's heart
with the most delightful anticipations.
mildred Rathbone never shall turn up,"
he mentally resolved, "as long as Sir Rox-
wells alive. When once he's dead, and I
have matters in my own hands, I won't give
fig for her chances. But I swear she shall
never come in my way" e., =. ....s
Quite by chance, he at last found out
where Mildred actually was. He had ridden
over to neighboring town to transact some
business for Sir Roxwell, and stopping to dine
at an inn there, overheard conversation be.
tween two gentlemen to the place
which at once, put him in possession Of the
facts that he desired to know. ~
II suppose you know the Croftons are off
to America" one of them said and the other
replied. IL ......... ... .... ...f
"No, did not know it. When did they
go?' ......; ....
"Only few days since" ....n.,
"The whole family?' .., ....,l
eyes. Wife, daughters and ward. By the
way, did you see that ward of Crofton's ?
She's beautiful girl" ~... .......,.....
Mildred Rathbone, you mean? I met
her once. She is uncommonly handsome but
very reserved" .... ,..-..........
"she is better looking than either of Crof.
toms own daughters; but as she hasn't a
penny in her own right, she may remain on
her guardians hands longer than he wishes.
"Why, isn't he fond of herr" asked the
other. .....,.r
"Oh, yes, I believe so," carelessly rejoined
the first speaker. "There was some idea,
when he adopted her, that there was chance
of her coming in for some property. Her
mother had been disinherited, or something
of that kind, and people thought the daugh-
ter might recover the forfeited property, if
Crofton took the right steps to secure it for
her. But he has never done so.. He is q
proverbially lazy man, you know; and l
have heard him say that if there was anything
that he detested, it was the idea of having to
go to law. Perhaps there was nothing in the
story, after all p .,;..s.......
They talked of something else, but Joshua,
who had listened with breathless attention to
every word, had received a clue which he
was not slow to follow up. By diligent,
though very guarded inquiry, he speedily
learned all he wanted to know about the
Croftons- people Of whom he had known moth.
ing previously-and their relations toward
Mildred. He found out that they had gone
to California, though not exactly to what part
of that distant region, in regard to which
Joshua's geographical knowledge was defect
i've. The idea occurred to him that by fol-
lowing them there, and placing himself in
direct contact with the object of bis search,