Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-05-17
CHAPTER XVII

The room which | had entered was
one of those broad, old fashioned apart
ments such as may be found in almost
any large dwelling built 40 or 30 years
ago 1t was plainly carpeted, without
any pictures on the walls, with stove
at one side, O number Of chairs and
long fiat table, which stood between the
two windows, beyond which, had not the
shades been lowered, | would have seen
some Of the trees in the rear Of the
yard.
On this table were a number of YES.
sells, mostly of glass, retort, several
jars, vials, small delicate tools and fully
dozen little contrivances the like of
which l had never seen, and which !
will not attempt to describe, except to
say they were constructed of glass Some
were spiral in form. while others had
odd, twisted shapes, evidently under
stood only by the persons who had
brought them thither and made use of
them.
The room was closed so as to permit
no ventilation. The heat of the stove in.
tensifed q peculiar, subtle perfume
which, at first pleasant, after time be-
came nauseating.
knew when turned the knob of the
door that some one was within. did
not believe it was Mr. Howard, for |
had seen him leave the railway station
several hours before Therefore, when
I almost collided with his wife, was
nerved for it. She was standing in the
room, near the door which | pushed
quickly inward, and confronted me with
the question:
"Well, sir, what do you want?"
Jove! WASH she a beauty! had seen
her before. and, as | have said, was
braced for the meeting, but when look
ed at that superb figure with the match
less black eyes. abundant hair, olive
complexion, perfect features, small
white teeth and fascinating form, was
almost overwhelmed
could we'll understand how almost
any man would have been overcome by
such vision and would drop his weap
ons as if in the presence of death itself
Surely she must have made many con-
quests by the very momentum Of her
marvellous beauty, which was sufficient
to make man forget duty, honor-ev-
erything but his mad inthrallment for
her
stood a minute, staring vacantly
with open mouth and wondering eyes,
and then could no more keep back the
words than could stop my respiration
Heavens, l never saw 30 wonderful
womanP'
Idiot, you have not answered. my
question:" she said in freezing voice,
which ought to have stricken me to the
floor, though l kept my feet Neither Of
us stirred, but in the bewildering mo-
ment was conscious that Mrs Bridges
had closed the door behind me. was
alone in the presence of the beautiful
fury, and duty whispered in my ear:
"Have care or you are lost!"
By supreme effort l pulled myself
together. Itwas useless to quail before
this being, for she had no mercy If |
shrank or faltered, she would crush me
Behind that regal form crouched the
mystery Of Mana Sahib's ruby, and
naught but boldness, daring, audacity,
mercilessness, would avail me- In
minute was myself.
Madam, said, with bow, IL am
an officer of the law. You heard me tell
Mrs. Bridges my errand''-
But it was lie" she broke in with
q sweep of her right arm and step for
ward. Leave this instant, or it will be
the worse for your'
This threat and tho biting words
ncrved me still more strongly. became
calm, cool. self possessed. on the in
slant
II will leave when 1 am through
with the business which brought me
here and not one second before. You
and your husband and all the miscreants
from India cannot compel me- am arm
ed and will defend myself even against
you'll"
Strange words to ntter to woman,
whose strength could not have surpassed
that of child. A strong man like me
ought to have been abashed at the sound
of his own voice when they were spo-
ken, but was in for it and meant to
maintain bold front to the end.
That my reply was unexpected was
shown by her manner. She never re-
moved those piercing eyes from me, and
once believed, when saw the delicate
fingers ptrvously working, that she
meant to leap at my throat. She breath
ed short and fast, but did not change
her superb poise.
pray be seated" l added, with as
sumcd courtesy, as placed my hand on
| the back of the nearest chair and set it
down beside her. with your permis-
sion will do the same. wish few
words with you"
My own chair was placed so close to
the door that had ! inclined it to the
rear it would have rested against it.
sat down with my hat in my lap and
looked expectantly at her.
She did not stir muscle, but remain.
| ed like statue, and it seemed that the
fame Of those eyes Would burn ME