Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-02-03

which occasion, rs she did not hesitate to al
firm, Cyril's manner to her had been brusque
in the extreme, and entirely unlike what she
was accustcm,d to from him.
Meanwhile, Miriam lowered between life
and death. Strange allusons escaped her
unconscious lips in the rawlings of fever, to
which the hired nurse listened with philo'
sophical ur rconcern, being too we'll accustomed
to such flights to attach any Importance to
these seen ingly witless words. Yet had they
afforded her any hint of the truth, what keen
interest and excitement they would have
awakened even in her sluggish bosom! She
did her duty faithfully, being skilled in her
profession, and not insensible to the advan-
tages to. be derived from her present position
and her patient lacked for nothing which eth
er money or care could supply.
Three days had passed, with but little ap'
parent change in Mirian's condition, either
for better or worse. Physicians came and
went, and Lady Hungerford's carriage was
daily seen stopping at the door, her ladyship
never failing in her usual message of inquiry.
Other messages came also, to the same effect
as those delivered by the Hungerford footman.
For curiosity, if nothing else, prompted gen.
eral interest now in Lady Hepburn's case.
On the fourth night she seemed just shade
more tranquil than usual, and the nurse
hoped she might sleep. Towards midnight
she lay quiet, and the tired nurse, leaning
back in her chair, glided off in the twinkling
of an eye into blissful nap.
Scarcely did she sleep, ere Miriam. opening
her eyes with start, looked affrightedly
around Then, as if with newborn strength,
raisiug herself in bed, rose swiftly, cautiously,
and with light footstep, stole out of the room
Passage after passage she traversed, until,
leaving that part of the house with which she
was familiar, she came to back corridor
which led to old Priscilla's room. Rooms,
rather; for two comfortable apartments, open
ing into one another had been set aside many
years before for the old DANES exclusive use,
and had been retained by her ever since.
These rooms were almost cut off from the
main building, occupying small wing which
only had communication with the other part
through the corridor aforementioned. Lady
Hepburn had never visited them, or informed
herself of their locality and what instinct or
impulse, led her steps in their direction now,
it would be impossible to guess.
Reaching the first door, she pushed it open,
and entered.
1t was an unusual circumstance for this
door to be unlocked for it was Priscila's
custom to keep it always fastened on the in
side But, by singular chance, she had, on
this occasion, left it slightly ajar, probably
through forgetfulness, when she retired to
bed. She was now fast asleep. Miriam gave
her but a passing glance, and still urged by
some irresistible impulse or disordered fancy,
went on rapidly to another door, which led to
the inner room.
In this room a light was burning. and at
table in the centre man sat reading. His
back was toward the door, which, like the
other, was unfastened and he did not move
nor perceive Miriam as she opened IT and
stood upon the threshold.
She gazes upon him, her eyes dilating with
horror that chills her blood. For even in
her delirium she recognizes his figure, the
turn of his head, the form of the shapely
hand upon which he leans. though his face is
concealed from her view. An involuntary
gasping breath escapes her. At the sound he
turns and confronts her; and as their eyes
meet, she utters one loud, wild shrie ek of NOR
tai fear, and falls prone upon the floor.
At that piercing cry old Priscilla awoke,
and ran, in fright, to discover what was the
matter She found Sir Roland bending over
his wife, and trying to lift her, but his agita'
tion was so great as to render him almost
powerless.
"God save US !" cried the terrified dame.
"How did she ever get in here? Sure the
witches must have aided her, for | never
! could have left the door unlocked when |
went to bed! Leave her to me, master Ro-
land, dear; I'll get her back to her room all
SAFE"
"Oh, Priscilla, she is dying. She is surely
dying" cried the baronet in voice of agony.
Feel her hands, how scorching hot. See
her poor, parched lips and sunken eyes! Poor,
beautiful Miriam, how changed!' y
of her mind these three days past. But Lord
hel lp US, my jewel, you ue no cause to fret over
it. Go keep somewhere out Of sight and Ill
90 and call the nurse-ignorant fool she must
be, to let crazy woman get out of her room
in this way-and together Well carry her
back to bed'
"Go at once, then. I'll stay by her until l
hear you coming"
"But you'll hide yourself in time sure?"
"Yes, yes; Ill take care of that. Go, go;
she will die if not quickly attended to-"
With many muttered CALCULATIONS Of won,
derment snd dismay, Priscilla wrapped
shawl about her bent shoulders and hurried
off through the dim dusky passages, family il
Illuminated by night,lamps set in sconces on
the walls. She firmly believed that the Evil
One had guided Miriam's steps through their
various turnings, and aided her entrance into
the apartments which had hidden her secret
so long; for nothing could persuade her that
she had not locked her outer door, as usual,
when she retired to rest. Some vague idea Of
the presence of his Satanic Majesty, even now
lurking amid the surrounding shades, filled
her with trepidation, and gave unwonted ce.
lerity to her steps, which brought her in an
amazingly short time to Lady Hepburn's
own chamber. Finding the nurse still asleep,
she reused her with no gentle hand, and
poured into her bewildered ears such phil
ippic as filled that startled functionary with
dismay.
"a pretty sort of nurse you must be, to
let a woman in brain-fever leave her bed and
60 wandering through the house at this time
of night, or any other time, for that matter,
and you as sound asleep as if you'd no re
sponsbility in the matter at all 1t was
worth while sending all the way to London
for such an experienced nurse. Experienced,
forsooth! just wonder what the doctor'l say