Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-03-30
gu 0rigiual Sturp.
Written Tor the YofKVlIIe EfquIrer.
THE HOUSE ON THE HILL.
BY HERBERT JOHNSON
CHAPTER XVII.


1t was still early morning when Captain
Russell got back home. The inhabitants OF
the little village were astir, and he received
more than one friendly greeting as he walked
from the landing place towards the 'ciiff path, .
as it was called, which led up to his OWL
house.
'iAny news, Hardy ?" he asked his old
friend, who was one of the earliest risers in
the place, and usually took stroll on the
beach before breakfast, with his pipe.
'sNot as know Of, Cap'en. So you've got
back in time for the wedding, after ALL
eyes ; had they all given me up 20
''Oh reckon not only thought maybe
you'd be delayed. All, Capen this occasion
won't be quite as merry one as we once
hoped it would, hey?"
None of that, my frend,' said the Cap
tain, hastily, as he made warning gesture
with his hand. s'It won't do to think about
We must be thankful that matters are turning
out even as well as they are"
''Well, Mr.. Erskine's splendid gentleman.
there's no doubt about that. He's real
blessing to the community, and he has done
any amount of good since he's been here. He
deserves wife as good as little Sophy. But
for all that, can't help feeling as if things
weren't settled exactly as they ought to be-
'You and I, at any rate, are not to be the
judges of that. We must leave it in Gods
hands, you know. Well you'll be up on the
hill to-day, suppose 20
II should think so, Cap'en. wouldn't
lose the sight of little Sophy's wedding for ali
the riches in the world"
With friendly salutation, the old gentle
man passed on, and soon came in sight OF his
cottage. He saw at aglance that the windows
were open. 1t had an occupied look. He
went in. AS he entered the front room an
object caught his eye which perplexed him
1t was Harry's cloak, thrown carelessly over
the back of a chair.
Whose was it? How had it come there
He was very foolish, no doubt but his heart
began to beat fast. He touched the cloak
with trembling hand, looking round, as he
did so, with appealing eyes.
"What does this mean ?" he murmured te
himself, not knowing what he hoped or feared
Hark that was surely movement in the
next room. Had some one come to take pos
session of the house during his absence His
heart throbbed faster yet. Strange, wild fan
cies chased each other through his brain.
Absurd even allowing such possibility
there was nothing in the idea to agitate him
thus. 1t might be some unlooked-for guest
some old friend come to pay him a visit, and
unwilling to leave without sight of him
He would find out at once.
He walked accordingly to the door of the
adjoining room. 1t stood slightly ajar, and
pushing it little farther open, he looked in
BY table in one corner sat figure, bending
over, the face hidden. The attitude was ONT
of profound detection, or profound thought.
The Captain looked. He believed that hi!
eyes were deeeiving him. But surely he knew
that figure that brown curley head. Was il
Harry, or Harly's ghost
my God :" he muttered, half gasping fol
breath, as he caught for support at the handle
of the door. The movement, the half suppress
ed exclamation, aroused the attention of hi
nephew. He raised pale, carewon face
started up, and hurrying forward caught th'
old man in his arms, and kissed him as he hat
done when boy.
~ ncle my GEAR, dear OLD uncle u ne crled
as he supported the Captains tottering figur'
to chair. Vainly the latter essayed to speak
The shock had almost overcome him, and HI
could only cling to his restored darling will
feeble, tremulous hands, devouring his fac
with gaze that seemed as if it could never b
satisfied.
''My boy my own boy Is it really you p
he faltered at last, the tears breaking forth ant
running down his cheeks. For little Will
he cried like child, Harry using tender en-
deavors to soothe and tranquilize him, ant
giving him at the same time such scraps OF nj
history as would account for his unlooked-fO
return. In listening to these, the old mai
gradually recovered his composure. Their
was something real, something convincing, il
matter-of-fact explanation. 1t was, then
no dream. Harry had actually been saved, &C
tuallv come back to him again !
s'And it is you-you whom have mournet
as dead How gracious is God ~ And h
bowed his gray head reverently, as he uttere'
the words. ''Tell me more. Let me hea
your voice again. can nevertire of listening
But forgot You must he weary you mus