Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-01-15
s. let in a couple of days. That's all I
BW."
nd she shut the door in the questioner's

nd she shut the door in the questioner's
/t"rhere, SIR" said he, turning to Manuel.
"You hear what she says. Everybody's
away. You can probably get Sir Gregory's
address from his banker"
"Who is his banker?" asked Manuel. "I
don't know"
fld out" rejoined the policeman.
Instead of making any immediate effort
to find out, Manuel retraced his steps to his
studio, completely confused by this uneX-
pected turn of affairs.
Lady Isabella Eustace's coach was at his
door.
Entering his room, he found her pacing
restlessly to and fro, with the aid of her
gold cane.
well! I am glad you have returned at
lsst," was the observation with which she
greeted him. "Where on earth have you
been?' have been walking up and down
TINS den of yours, waiting for you, Tor at
least an hour"
| THAT Lady Isabella should have been
waiting for him, and waiting in his studio,
was a fact so amazing, that at any other
time it would have filled him with confu.
sion, but he was already in such state of
lperplexity, that the additional surprise af-
ected him very little.
tg"I am very sorry, Aunt Isabella" was
all he said.
"Where have you been?" asked his aunt
again.
"On an errand," briefly replied Manuel.
T 81 hope it wasn't fools errand," said
| the old lady looking narrowly at him. 81
see," she continued, as he made no reply,
She waved her cane in the direction of the
canvas which stood in it's accustomed
place.
"The picture has not been sent for" said
Manuel.
"Nor is itlikely to be sent for. I suppose
Iyou know that old Barnett has run away"
I "Run away" echoed her nephew, incred-
tulously.
"Yes-run from the constables, sheriff,
what not; the people that were after him,
or soon would be. He's got all the Jews at
This heels, besides the rest. Haven't you
Fheard about the disgraceful swindle he's
Econnected with?"
81 have heard nothing" Manuel was
very pale. He leaned on a chair as he
|spoke.
"Well, it will be all over town tomorrow !;
it is so already, for aught know. Proba-
bly, the man is not less fool than villain {;
he has been used as tool, probably; but
he's rascal too, and always knew it. At
any rate, he'll never come back"
"And his-the young lady,"
"Oh, she's with him. He couldn't afford
to lose her; she's all he has, now, / suppose.
They are gone, the pair of them" Lady
Isabella leaned back on the horsehalr sofa
and famed herself vigorously.
"Gone where?"
"Who knows? Nobody. He has vanish
ed-the old rogue-with all his belongings,
and left no trace behind" "
sBut this is incredible!" cried Manuel.
81 cannot bring myself to believe it,"
because you don't want to, presume.
1t is all true, however. You will soon find
out for yourself. What are you going to do
with the portrait?"
"Great Heaven! aunt don't Know
don't know anything II beg your PARDON
said poor Manuel, checking himself, "but |
am confused. All this is so perpleXing. l
scarcely know what say"
n 4assrsses. IL REFORMED:
aunt, regarding him with half compassion
ate, half satirical expression. "Well, well,
YOU have had your work for nothing, and
now Pm afraid you will find that you've got
an elephant on your hands. You might al
ter the face though, and dispose of it as a
fancy picture. l think it would sell. A
dealer might buy it at any rate"
"Aunt-" began Manuel, but Indignation
choked him.
sBv the way" continued Lady Isabella,
ignoring his agitation, 81 wish you to dine
with me, next Sunday. came, in fact, on
purpose to ask YOU"
mo, thank you, it is impossible" hastily
replied Manuel.
hWhat! Have you an engagement"
"No," said the artist, not sufficiently
adroit to parry her questioning. "But l 60
out very little"
"And pray, is there any reason why
YOU should lead hermit's life?" asked his
aunt, sharply. "It is your own fault that
YOU have grown unaccustomed to society.
At all events, when I invite you, think
YOU should find a less fimsy excuse. Will
you come, or not?"
"Is it dinner-party, aunt?"
"Nonsense l don't give dinner parties
on Sundays. / have not invited any one
but yourself; And, if you must know know the ne
truth, wish to talk to you on matter of
business"
"Well, will come-thanks, 'said Manuel,
rather hopelessly.
II shall expect you at five. l dine early
on Sundays. Now, you may take me to my
carriage. have no doubt the horses have
caught cold, waiting so long"
Manuel obeyed her behest. And having
seen the big, sombre equipage roll heavily
off behind the lazy overted horses, whose
liveliest pace was a jog-trot, returned to his
room to ponder on the strange news ne had
heard. The whole affair was ineXplicable.
The longer he thought it over, the thicker
the mystery appeared to grow. At last
Jack Halliday came in.
Manuel" began that worthy, without
preface, "you have been sold. Sir Greg"
"Hush,H said Manuel with deprecating
gesture. II know all about it. If you don't
want to drive me mad, refrain from going
over the story"
at is rough on you, rejoined Jack sympa-
thetically. "After so many months of
work"
"Hng the work ~ broke forth the artist;
.sIlo Won think | care about Hdtpart of it ?'
Jack stared at him. eyes; should think
YOU would" he said, coolly. 81 know you
have refused other offers on account Of it,
and l don't suppose you cam well afford to
be cheated out of the money you have earn
ed"
This was quite true; but in the excite
ment, of his feelings Manuel had not taken
the money loss into consideration.
"Jack," he asked after pause, "do you
really Jeliere this ridiculous story ?"
about Barnett's decamping? Why, my
dear fellow, kmoW it's true. | know some
of the fellows who are sufferers in the bust
ness. Has it been explained to you:"
"Not entirely. My aunt was my inform
ant"
"Have YOU seen her?"
"Ohye;! This has been a day of wonders.
She was IN my room for an hour rand half.
The world has turned over | think"
"NO uncommon caper for the world to
cut, if the geography books say true. But
| J,ll +,Il ,.o, al bnut Sir (frppOrV If Won