Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-02-13
CHAPTER XIII.

A114
Mildred, on recovering from her stupor,
(Which had been induced by some drug en-
ployed for the purpose, some little time be-
fore arriving at her destination) found her
self lying on a couch, in room where
light, dimly burning, revealed but one object,
beyond the bare walls and windows, to her
view. t...s. si..t 49,. .- sGr...
This object was small, frightened looking
woman, with pale, piteous face, whose light
eyes sought hers with an expression which
seemed to invoke forbearance She stood in
deprecating attitude, with her hands tightly
clasped together, and, though she looked in
tently at the bewildered girl, neither moved
nor spoke.
Mildred, as her dazed senses slowly strug-
gled back into life, encountered the fixed
gaze; and seeing the singular attitude and
expression of the person thus watching her,
horrible suggestion presented itself to her
mind-that she had been brought to lunat-
ic asylum, and that this, probably, was one
of its occupants. A cold shudder ran through
her. She felt afraid to move, and lay still,
but trembling, while sort Of fascination i'm
PEELED her to return her companions gaze.
Suddenly, the pale woman moved step
forward. The action aroused fresh terror in
Mildred's mind, and with slight shrek, she
started up from her recumbent position, put
ting out her hands with an involuntary ges-
ture of selfdefence.
"Hush !" came in warning whisper from
the lips of the other. "You mustn't make a
noise. shan't harm you"
"Where am II" asked Mildred.
"In our house-my brothers house. Don't
talk loud, or he'll come. You must let me
take care of you, and do everything l tell
you. He'll believe" - ......
Suddenly, footstep, in the passage outside,
warned them of an approach. Directly af-
terward the door opened and DR.. Carey en-
tered.
Mildred recognized him, without difficulty,
as the person whom she had encountered at
the Library, and instantly connected his iden-
tity with that of the one who had enticed her
from her home; though his caution in keep.
ing his face obscured from her view had pre-.
vented her, up to this moment, from obtain
ing a distinct view of his features.
"Well, Miss Rathbone," he quietly re-
marked, as he approached her, $50 you are
yourself again, see. We have had the
pleasure of meeting before"
Mildred looked at him without replying.
Mingled fear and abhorrence filled her mind.
But her frmness was beginning to re-assert
itself, and was gradually overcoming the ut
ter weakness and helplessness which had mas
tered her energies at first.
"Do you feel better now?'' he asked. The
ineffable coolness and audacity of the cues.
ton, and the tone in which it was uttered,
sent burning thrill of indignation through
her frame.
"Who are YOU, and why have you brought
me here?" she demanded, speaking with
forced composure. She was resolved to main
tain, as far as possible, a show of courage, no
matter what fear and trepidation she really
suffered.
81 am your cousin, and my name is Joshua
Carey. My object in bringing you here is Of
no consequence just yet. That can be ex'
planned at another time"
"My cousin p echoed Mildred, with scorn'
full incredulity.
Certainly. I can easily prove it to you
Was not your mother Ellen Siuclair?
"Yes," assented Mildred.
"Well, her mother, old Mrs. Sinclair, was
my aunt-my own aunt; my fathers sister
She was Carey, of County Cork.
81 never heard of you before" said Mil
dred.
perhaps not. was very badly treated
by your family" said Joshua. "However
that doesn't alter the relationship. l hope
you are willing to accept it%
II know nothing about it," said Mildred
eff what you say is true, it would seem to
entitle me to better treatment than have re-
ceived at your hands. How dare you bring
me away from my guardians house by force?'
"It was not by force-it was by strategy
said Joshua, with villainous approach to a
smile 81 did not offer you any rudeness
did II"
Mildred turned impatiently from him
stamping her foot. The sense of being in his
power was too irritating, too humiliating, to
be patiently endured. Then, again, the un
certainty of his designs upon her filled hel