Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-03-06
gu @rigiual Stnrg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE BARSTOWS.
BY VICTOR VERNON.
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
DIR. FRANKLIN's NARRATIVE CONCLUDED
A DESERTED WIFE.
7 remained in the parlor with Fanny, who,
having ceased to weep, now stood pale, silent
and motionless, her eyes fixed upon the door
through which Ralph had made his exit into
the next room.
After a few moments he returned. know
not whether he had been holding any conver-
sation with his mother.in-law on the subject,
but he directly invited me to remain at Hol.
lywell until after my brothers funeral should
be over, as was the most suitable person to
superintend all the necessary arrangements.
7 was a little surprised at this last remark,
and replied that should have thought Mrs.
Tracy would prefer having him assist her in
all such arrangements; but he said that she
left them altogether to him, and that he would
be much obliged to me if l would consent to
share the responsibility. Of course, it was
impossible for me to refuse. So I ordered my
horse put up in the stable (the poor beast had
been patiently waiting outside the gate all this
time) and then proceeded to give my attention
to those affairs in which Ralph desired to con-
suit me.
There was not much to be done, after all.
Only the directions for the funeral to be CIV
en-, and some business papers to be glanced
over. There was no will. The little prop
erty Philip left would revert to his widow,
except the plantation and its belongings
only really valuable possessions which fell in
to the hands of his brother Charles, his ia
theirs second son. who was city lawyer with
a large family and very small income.
"This will be Godsend to Charles" re-
marked; "but it seems hard for poor Philips
wife and daughter to be left out in the cold !"
"And I, unfortunately, can do so little for
them," rejoined Ralph. 81 suppose you are
aware that have lately lost, by an unlucky
speculation, nearly all that I possessed"
"You amaze mew exclaimed. II have
heard nothing of it until now."
at was on business connected with this that
1 left home" he pursued. 81 trusted to get
to town in time to save myself, but was too
late"
"Poor Fanny" involuntarily remarked,
under my breath. Ralph gave me curious
glance.
"You think she will feel this misfortune
deeply ?" he said, in an enquiring tone.
"Far be it from me to consider her merce-
nary" was my quick reply. "But when a
misfortune like this follows so rapidly upon
others"
"You allude to her fathers death" he in
terrupted. eyes, it is hard upon her. Well,
she knows nothing of it yet, nor shall l trouble
her at present with the news. There is enough
else to occupy her mind"
"There is, indeed" could not forbear say
ing. II fear she has much, much to trouble
her"
saw dark flush rise to Ralph's brow.
81 do not understand you," he coldly re-
Joined. "Has my wife been confding to you
any of her secrets, of which am kept in ig-
norance p
''She has confded no secret to me" was my
answer. "But think you must be aware"
checked myself. Would / do most harm
or good by finishing what was on the point
of saying? 1t was not probable that could
do much good. might anger him and only
iniure nv cause 1t cost me an effort to re-
frain from speaking my mind. But did,
and took great credit to myself for my for
bearance"
"You were about to say" my companion
suggested.
"Nothing at all of any consequence" said
I. 81 had merely noticed that Fanny seemed
pre.occupied and sad, and thought, of course,
you must know the cause"
Does not her fathers death account sufh.
ciently for it?" he asked.
II mean previous to that event." l replied.
"Fanny is not of cheerful disposition natu-
rally" remarked Ralph. "She is morbid and
subject to fits of depression. I, who have
known her all her life, am accustomed to
these moods. Naturally, they impress per-
SUI WIZ udS ocCu 1Coo VI AoA, nAoio SoaooSiJ'
But let US waive this discussion for the pres
ent. I would like to have you look with me
through the contents of Mr.. Tracy's desk"
Was he sincere in what he said. or was this
careless way of treating the subject merely a
blind, to disarm me of any suspicion he might
suppose I entertained? At all events, did
not feel justified in expressing any farther
opinion; and turned my attention in silence
to the work of investigation he had proposed.
Poor Philip! I thought, as glanced
through letters and memoranda, and unpaid
bills; what evidences were here of needless,
misspent life The bills did not amount to
much; couple Of hundred dollars would
cover all but the useless trihes for which
they had chiefly been incurred seemed to in
dicate the thriftless character of the man
against whose name they stood. AS touch
ed, unaware, secret spring, drawer flew
out. 1t contained small morocco case, which
1 opened. Within it lay a miniature, like.
ness of some person unknown to me. The
face was a woman's, young and beautiful.
involuntarily uttered an expression of admi,
ration, which caused Ralph, who was exam.
IS11