Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-03-04
gu Original Stprg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
AN UNQUIET LIFE.
CHAPTER X
BY STANLEY STCLAIR.

s'Papa, Pm sick"
These were the first words Dolly said
when she was restored to Burton; for re-
stored she was, the old woman being as good
as her word; and conducting Burton to her
hiding place before daybreak. The child
looked feverish and heavy, and laid her
head against her adopted fathers shoulder,
when he took her in his arms, in a languld
way that confirmed her words.
'iWhat have they done to you, my dar-
ling?" he asked regarding her with anx-
ious eyes; for having fallen into a nest of
treachery he was ready to anticipate al
NOTHING" said Dolly. "Mrs. Jones was
very good, and gave me my supper; but the
room was so hot, and smelt 4 bad smell
Can't We 90 home to-day. l don't like
New York"
Burton had met with sore disappoint-
ment: his Journey had proved worse than
fruitless. He had been decoyed to New
York on false pretenses, and large sum of
money had been eXtorted from him, with
out his receiving in return the proofs he
had expected to find; and so cunningly had
the plot been laid it that seemed impossible
to lay hands ON its founder-yet all this
troubled him far less than the sight OF the
child's illness. For he had learned to love
little Dolly truly and tenderly and believ-
II,
his cousins child, he felt intense anxiety to
restore her in safety to her home.
He hoped that her indisposition might be
only the result of fatigue and over-excite-
ment, and believed that the qualification OF
her wish tc return home would prove its best
cure; so he made at once what business ar
rangements were necessary, and took pas
sage by steamer that same afternoon.
The sea air revived her somewhat, but
before the end of the voyage she grew worse
again, and when they reached Maysville
niZe Mrs. Fairfax, who was the first to meet
her at the door.
s'Have you succeeded" was the hurriedly
whispered inquiry, as Burton was carrying
the child upstairs. .,
"No, all is failure, so far-but l Still
hope" ,.,-
made; but cannot tell you more. now:
My poor little darling! She is mine-1
know it, I feel it! Frederick, can you
doubt"
Here Magdalen appeared. SIS the child
sick ?n she asked, with forced calmness.
eyes, very SICK" was Burton's reply.
"Get bed ready for her at once" AS they
reached the top of the stairs, Mrs. Fairfax
motioned him towards her chamber. Take
her in there" she said, distinctly. "She
shall be my CHARGE"
'Mrs. Fairfax excuse me-this is un-
necessary" said Magdalen, with glittering
eyes. ~ can nurse Dolly-she can have
her own bed as usual. Why should there
be any change?'
right" was Mrs. Fairfax's rejoinder. The
ewes of the two women met for an instant
in steady gaze, then Magdalen lowered
hers. and with a slight diSdainful gesture,
:. .eAsyouwill," :" she said in careless tone.
"If you need my assistance shall be ready
to give it,"
Poor little Dolly was stricken with ty-
phoid fever; it had probably been lurking
in her system for some time, and her
exposure to night air, and bad atmos-
phere, during her sojourn in New York,
had quickened its development. The
doctors looked grave over the case, but
could form as yet no opinion in regard to
it's probable issue.
Weary days and weeks ensued. The
pretty bright little fairy, whose presence
had thrown such charm over the quiet
house, was sadly missed from her accustom-
ed place by Burton, who had petted her so
much, and whose heart ached now to see
her tossing in the delirium of fever, or ly-
ing in stupor with half-closed eyes, insensi-
BILE to everything around her. But who
can tell the renewed anguish of the mother,
as she bent over the sick bed of the little
one she surely felt was indeed her own, just
restored to her, and likely soon to be taken
away again, never on earth to return to her
arms!
One evening about dusk, Burton entered
his wife's room, where he found her sitting
alone by the window. Their intercourse
had been brief and constrained since his re-
turn home; but now he felt the time had
come to break this reserve and seek for an
explanation.
''Magdalen," he said calmly, as he drew
chair to her side," have few questions
to ask you, and l must entreat you to give
me square and honest answers"
She looked at him for moment, then
glanced away again.
"In the first place." he continued, "why
did you conceal from me the fact of your
having received an important letter, some
weeks ago bearing upon subject which has
long occupied the minds of US all ?"
"You must speak little more clearly, If
you expect me to comprehend you. What
letter, and what subject do you refer to-"
"The subject is the supposed relation of
our adopted child to my cousin, Emily
Fairfax. The letter is one cotaining infor-
nation which may supply valuable link
in the chain of evidence which we have so
far succeeded in finding"
"Your words are rather enigmatical," !"
coldly replied Magdalen, considering that
you have never before alluded to this mat
ter in my presence"
'Come, Magdalen, it is unworthy of you
to feign ignorance Of my meaning! If |
have not discussed the subject with you, it
is because you yourself showed marked
unwillingness to approach it; besides, Mrs.
Fairfax was the first person to be consulted.
1t is more her affair than mine. But you
probability, her own lost child; and that
proving this, it only remains to US to give
up our claim to her, which is but secondary,
and restore her to her mothers guardian
ship. / have used every effort to clear up
the mystery which still obscures several Of
the facts of the case and | should think
that you would gladly lend your co-opera-
tion."
81 am surprised that you are anxious to
relinquish your claim to the child. l
thought you were too fond of her to give
her up so easily" Magdalen spoke with
forced composure. but her breath came
quickly, and a red spot burned on either
cheek.
"My fondness for her has nothing to do
with nv duty in the matter" said Burton.
sHer mother certainly has the first right to
her, and I would be the last to oppose that
right. My only trouble is the difficulty l
have had in completing the proofs of her
identity. 1t is to seek your help in this
that l have come to you now"
"Yes you come to me now, because YOU
cannot help yourself, and because all other
resources have failed. But you are mis-
taken if you think I intend to give you