Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-03-27
fear in her own mind-a fear that grew
stronger day by day.

manding entrance. Winter was rapidly ap-
preaching. What melancholy Christmas
it would bring this year!
There was click of the gate latch, and
Marion'S heart gave great bound, as she
saw figure clad in Confederate gray enter
the front garden, then sank with chill
weight of dread as she perceived it to be
that of stranger. Instantly she foreboded
bad news-news of Carroll, for his fate was
ever uttermost in her thoughts.
The soldier came slowly up the path as
he reached the steps, she had the front door
open. He looked up, and touched his cap.
els this Judge Warmers house, madam %
he asked.
His voice and manner plainly announced
him to be a gentleman. 1T is" she re-
piled, trying to control her nervousness.
"Will you come in ?"
'Thanks," was his courteous rejoinder, as
he followed her into the warm, we'll lighted
room, and sank wearily on the first seat that
he reached. She now perceived that he had
been evidently ill, and was much fatigued'
"YOu are suffering, | fear" she gently
said, wheeling comfortable chair near the
fire. ''Sit here, and warm yourselt-lt must
be cold out of DOORS"
"You are very kind. I have been wound
ed, and am not yet quite well-l shall soon
lGSl ISSltts L Ulll VII lhS NoS W ~ A
in Columbia, but stopped here in fulhllment
of a promise. I have commission to exc
cute, in the shape of a little package which
1 must deliver to Judge Warner with my
own hands.
He drew the package from his breast as
he spoke. Marion stood up, and faced him
steadily-she would know the worst.
"Do you come-may l ask-from Virgin
ia ?"
81 do," he replied. "I am just from a
Virginia hospital"
"And you bring news of--of--Carroll
Gray ?"
He looked at her, hesitating.
"Please do not be afraid to tell me the
TRUTH" she went on, still speaking calmly,
though her lips had grown white, and he
saw that she was steadying herself by clasp
ING the back of chair. IT am Judge War
ner's niece. If there is bad news, am the
best one to break it to him."
"If you say so, I suppose it is BEST" ne
answered looking down. "Perhaps you can
Tighten my task-a painful one, assure you.
This package was entrusted to me by Car
roll Gray, on the evening before our regi-
ment was called into action, during the en-
gagement at Manassas, with the request
that would not fail to deliver it safely to
his uncle, Judge Warner, in the event of his
death, and Of my return to Carolina"
."And he is dead ?"
She asked the question breathlessly:
There was a vague, foolish hope at her heart
that she had mistaken his meaning, that she
had not heard him aright-though he had
spoken plainly enough.
He simply bowed his head in answer
and without another word she turned and
left the room. She had said, or implied,
that she would prepare her uncle, and she
meant to do it now. The old gentleman
had not been we'll lately. 1t was her place
to think of him-to comfort him; he relied
so much upon her! 1t was no time to think
of her own feelings. She could do that
afterwards through her coming life,
which was to be made up now OF memory
and remorse.
She knocked at the library door. There
was no response, and turning the latch she
entered. Her uncle was seated at the table
in the centre of the room, his head bowed
upon it as if he had fallen asleep. She went
up to him and touched his shoulder.
"Uncle, dearw she said.
There was silence. She laid her hand on
his, which hung listlessly at his side. 1t
was cold and clammy.
"Uncle!" her voice rose almostto Shrek.
"NIy God he is dead too"
"Her cry brought others of the household
soon group was gathered around. Among
the rest was young Ellery, who had soon
learned this fresh trouble, and came to offer
his aid.
"He is not dead" he said confidently, adj
dressing Marion. II feel sure it is only a
faint of some sort. l think he must have
had a paralytic stroke"
Half an hour: later, the doctor, hastily
summoned, stood beside the couch where
they managed to lay the unconscious form.
He corrobOrated Ellery's opinion of the
case, and judged the stroke to be severe
one, hut thought it possible the Judge
might recover.
ellis constitution is strong, and he has
always enjoyed excellent health; but it will
be some time before we can know certainly
what will be the result, though we must
hope for the best. Are you visitor here,
sir?" he asked addressing the young soldier,
of whose errand he was ignorant.
Marion hurriedly explained that Mr.. FL
lery had come from the Virginia battle
field-that he had brought them mes
sage-and would stop with them until ne
was rested from his journey. Even at that
trying juncture the instincts of hospitality
were strong enough to assert themselves.
Doctor made quick reply.
''It is very fortunate that he should have
arrived Just noW-you young girls are
alone and unprotected, and it would be
quite impossible for me to remain with you
tonight, as 1 have to visit patient who is
in q most critical state. / must entruSt you
all to this gentleman's care, at least TOR a
few hours to come. l will send my wife
over to your assistance as soon as | can.
In the the mean time, you must just follow
my directions carefully, until come again"
So it happened that Carroll's friend was
placed in tempory charge of the household
to which he was complete stranger. The
condition of things was salm0st too beWilder-
NIT helplessly, feeling that the matter was
quite taken out of their hands. For the
Judge, nothing was to be done except what
they could easily accomplish-the appllca-
ton of certain restoratives which was to be
unremittingly continued until the Doctors
return, which he promised should be as
quick as practicable.
"He was, in fact, only gone two hours,
and he brought back with him nurse who
was to take the responsibility off the hands
Of these young, inexperienced girls, who
knew nothing about serious illness, although
willing to do everything in the world.
About midnight the Judge showed symp-
toms of returning consciousness by day
light he could move one hand-the rlght-a
little, and made an attempt to speak. 1t was
an intense relief, an intense joy to them all ;
there was hope, though the Doctor assured
them that the greatest care and patience
would be necessary, before anything like a
decided improvement could be expected.
And>now Marion recollected how weary
and worn their guest must be, and blaming
herself for thinking so little of his comfort,
insisted on his seeking repose. The young
er girls she also sent off to bed. She was the
eldest of them all, and took upon herself the
J. ~, f1,o in hn "a nf