Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-05-25
DEATH I'M THE CUP,
BY J. WITHERsPOON Erwin.

knew Mrs Laroche tolerably well-not at
all intimately-only sufficiently to enable me
to form judgment as to her character. 1t
was trying thing for me to meet her under
the circumstances, for the sight of woman
overcome by distress and dissolved in tears,
was peculiarly painful and embarrassing to
me. 1 expected to find her cOmpletly over
whelmed by suffering for, so far as l had
been able to judge she was gentle, mod
est, retiring and sensitive woman, alto
gether untitled to bear such trial as had be-
fallen her.
My light tap at the door was promptly an
swered by an invitation to enter, and opening
the door that stood. ajar l was in her presence.
Shall l venture to describe her Even in
the extremely nauspicious circumstances she
was woman of wonderful beauty. expect
ed to find her dissolved in tears and disfgured
by distress but to my surprise she was calm
and self-colected. A noble and well poised
head, regular and symmetrical features, that
would have charmed one even in statue,
where so much is due to contour and so little
to expression, met my eyes at the first glance.
She was of the pure blonde type, with a face
remarkably soft and gentle in, expression Won
derfully fair, and though somewhat more pale
than was natural to her yet it was sufficient
ly suffused with health-giving color to hide, at
the first glance, any suspicion of the fearful
anxieties to which she was prey. Her hair
was of the color of fine beaten gold, smoothly
dressed and curling naturally where it escaped
from under the simple band that encircled her
head as a crown, Her blue eyes were soft,
gentle and dove-like in expression, and in
them alone, while her face was so calm and
composed / read at times something of the
anxiety and distress that were busy at her
heart.
II thank you," said she, rising and pointing
me to seat on the opposite siGe of the win
dow, near which she was sitting, ''for your
prompt attention to my request. feared you
might not come"
'Men of my profession seldom neglect an
swering such summons as yours, returned I.
II am here promptly, but l cannot say gladly,
for you might have chosen much ADLER cOun-
selor than | am.'
II do not need craftiness for my defence, :"
said she, calmly "and if you are not an old
lawyer, you have the reputation of being hon
est and true. But, Mr. Richards" added she,
in an embarrassed manner, 81 do not wish you
to do me this service for nothing; and you
must know that to silence and condemn SLAM
derous tongues, 1 intend renouncing all my
rights to the estate. You will have poor eli
ent, but have few jewels of considerable
value, that came to me from my mother, if you
will accept these
''Stop, Madame, pray you," said I, 81 cam
not come into this case as mercenary.'
''But you must be paid for your seryiceS,'
expostulated She.
my services are of little worth l fear, and
my highest award will be in feeling that | am
to defend innocence from unjust accusation.
If am to defend you-''
s'You must-you must, for no one else will.
Your brother lawyers have all declined to aid
me since they know l intended to renounce
nv claim to the estate, and that their fee must
come from other slender resources that were
all my own."
''Let us not discuss this matter noW," said
l. 1t may sound strangely to you, but you
will make me feel like hireling instead OF an
advocate, if you insist on the matter of fee
and besides that, fee has already been offered
lie in your behalf. by friend of yours"
Her eyes filled with tears-tears of graft
tude and l saw that she wished to question
me, but dared not trust her voice then.
'sLet us speak of what is more important, ,
said |, and, first tell me if you are innocent OF
this crime charged against you 20
She turned suddenly and fixed her eyes upon
me with an expression in them | could not
altogether comprehend, while deadly pallol
overspread her face.
''Good heavens!'' cried she at last with
supplicating gesture, while she became ghastlN