Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-02-20
Au 0rigiual Stnrg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer. -.'
MJSS CAREY.S BOX,
'a"a BY AN OLD CONTRIBUTOR.
CHAPTER XIV.

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i CHAPTER XIV.
As in answer to the wish, another unex-
pected actor in the exciting drama directly
after appeared upon the scene. 1t was Frank
Coventry himself . .. ...a :h.-"a
Eager questions and kasty explanations fol-
lowed. He had just turned to England,
and was now on the way to visit Sir Rox-
we'll Seabury, intending, as last resource,
to consult with him, and find out if he could
give him any information which might tacili-
tate him in his undertaking. which was now
so startlingly brought to close. .., -:
His heart almost stood still as he looked on
Mildred's beautiful, pallid face, believing
that her life was extinct; but soon his fears
we're removed, for under the assiduous efforts
now bestowed upon the work Of restoration,
she began gradually to revive, and before
long the color stole back to her cheeks and
lips, and ahe looked around once more with
conscious gaze, though she was sorely be-
wildered by the number of strange faces that
she encountered. The one face that it would
have thrilled her heart to see, was the only
one that did not meet her eyes, tor Frank,
with sudden revulsion of feeling that made
it impossible for him to maintain his compo.
sure, had turned away, and was busying him
self with some triAing arrangement of the
harness, and never came near her at all. -.a
"Lena," he whispered, pulling his sister
aside, "dont you say word to anybody,
good or bad, about me. I'm going straight of
to the old people-the Crofton's, you know
to be the first to tell them the news. You'll
see me again in few day." 49,.
"But, Frank!' responded Lena aghast,
"you are surely not going without one word
6rst-to her y ....s. =
"I can't talk to her here, said Frank. Il
would rather wait"
"But you must find out all about these
people she is with, and where she has been,
and all about her Consider, Frank, how
strange it will seem for you to rush off in this
way without knowing single thing-they
will think you crazy" urged Lena.
81 am crazy, believe" said Frank, with
rather an uncertain sort of laugh. His hands
were trembling, and deep flush was on his
face. He seemed if he scarcely knew what he
was doing. .-. ..." a."
"Come on with the rest of u.s." said Lena,
with authority in her tone, 'and consult with
these other gentlemen and make all the prop
er arrangements. You need not say anything
to her yet I'm going to stay with her now.
But please make somebody take that horrid-
looking man out of the carriage first. He
looks ready to murder us ALL" s'..' ..... :.
Frank, with vigorous effort, brought his
head back to its proper level. He had been
dazed, for minute or two, by the curious
climax to which affairs had been brought;
but his practical good sense soon came to his
aid: In the consultation which ensued among
the gentlemen of the party, he was the most
business.like of them all, taking down Cla-
rissas deposition with lawyer-like precision,
but never once raising his eyes until, having
finished it, he turned to Mildred and gravely
asked, "Miss Rathbone, have your word in
confirmation of this statement?"
EYES," said Mildred, rather vaguely. Her
heart had leaped up on first seeing him ); but
now a blank seemed to fall suddenly upon
everything. Was this his only recognition OF
her-the only token he meant to give her
that he was not utterly Indifferent to her
fate?" -, --. .t- .-.s- . ...... .....
But Frank, at that moment, would not
have trusted himself to say more, or to touch
her haud, for the world,
1t was decided that Joshua, properly guard
ed, should be taken on to Canterbury, and
handed over to the proper authorities to await
an official examination. The rest would fol-
low to their several destinations, and Frank,
being 50 near the Seabury place, would carry
out his original design of visiting Sir Roxwell,
and would tell him all that had occurred.
Mildred and Clarisss, at the suggestion of the
latter, were also to go there and remain under
Sir Roxwell's protection until Mildred'S
strength was sufficiently recruited to admit of
her joining her guardians family. Frank
went on ahead, having constituted himself
one of Joshua's body-guard. He wanted an
opportunity to collect himself more fully be-
fore again meeting Mildred, and to decide
upon what mode of conduct it would be best
for him to follow. Had he met her alone, or
had his been the good fortune to discover and
rescue her from danger, there is little doubt
that his true feeling would have betrayed it.
self ON the instant but having once put
oonstraint upon himself, and forced his strong
est impulses into allegiance, he could reason
mentally upon the laws of propriety, and ar
que about the expediency of still farther car
rying out his self-denial, and putting his pa
tience to the test. 60:
. Having got rid Of his obnoxious charge
with all possible dispatch, he proceeded, with
out delay, to Sir Roxwell, to whom, after
briefly introducing himself, he at once gave a
full account Of the circumstances already re-
counted. His listener, as may be imagined,
was greatly astonished at what he heard.
Was, at first, inclined to be incredulous, but
gradually accepted the conviction that bis too
we'll trusted conf 6dant and medical adviser,
was not only q fraud, but "a criminal, and had
for years, successfully made him his dupe.