Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-05-15

for did not suspect that either of the
couple would proceed southwark.
A Philadelphia train drew up at the
station, aid from my coign Of advan.
tage watched the passengers as they
disembarked and others got Oh. The
stop was. brief, and just as it began
moving again Darius Howard made
rush from somewhere and swung upon
one of the platforms. being helped by
the waiting brakeman.
] made dash to do the same thing,
but had farther to 60, and the brakeman
blocked my way:
"Too late" he called "There'll be
another along in half all hour. y
There was no help for it. If Howard
saw me, and in all probability he did,
he must have read my purpose, and
therefore would be Oh his guard against
me unless l. effected complete change
in my appearance. -.
Mr. Bridges has returned home alone,
and for the time was perplexed as to
what to do. 1t was useless to try to fol-
low the man who had gone southwark,
for there was no saying what his. desti.
nation was He might have started on a
journey of 20 or 1000 miles
l have referred to a game Of bluff
which l had in mind. Hitherto had
been working at long range, as may be
said Now decided upon bold step,
which insured success or failure.
From the railway station walked to
my dwelling place, reaching there just
in time for dinner. spent couple of
hours in my room, and then, telling my
friends that l might not return until
late, once more set out for the old stone
building where lived Isaiah Bridges, the
brother of my host Of necessity was
attired as on the night before, but my
ornamental cane was left behind, and
every chamber in my revolver had it's
charge.
TWAS cool, brisk autumn afternoon,
and the sun was shining. Any effort at
secrecy would have been idle, and /
walked with a confident step up the
long lane, which had been the scene of
more than one stirring occurrence with
in the preceding "a hours.
Without hesitation stepped upon the
broad porch and sounded out ringing
knock with the old fashioned contriv-
ance which must have penetrated to
every recess of the building
The summons was answered by Mrs
Bridges, a sedate old lady, who wonder
ingly surveyed me through her specta-
cles and waited for the announcement of
my business.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Bridges. am
an officer of the law, but don't be alarm
ed," | added, noting her slight start
Something occurred here last night
Burglars believe tried to effect an en-
trance, and pistol shot was fired. "
She stood as if hesitating what to do
or say Assuming that l was welcome,
stepped aside, removing my hat
81 would like to make few in
quiries, and we can do it better inside
than on the porch, if you have no OBJ
lection.
She led the way into tho wide, plain
ly furnished parlor, her manner show
ing that she was doubtful as to the pru-
dence of the step.
Evidently she had received instruc-
tions from her boarders, and even my
pretended business did not fully reas-
sure her.
My original plan, as have hinted,
was to pretend to be an assessor who
had called to examine the property, but
the events of the preceding night gave
me another pretext | doubt whether
even that would have worked had her
husband been at home, 80 took care to
call when he was absent, looking after
his farm duties.
"Couldn't you stop when Mr.. Bridges
is homer" she asked, sinking into a
rocking chair and surveying ME with
distrust
"When will he be in?'
II can call him. If I don't, he will
not be home until sundown. l."
"That is hardly necessary. May l ask
whether you saw any Of the burglars?"
MERCY, mol didn't dare look out OF
the winder My husband shot at one Of
them, who pretended he was friend.
Ibid lie kill him?"
"I'm afeard not, for we haven't found
his body"
"What a pityl He will not be likely
to show himself around here again. "
"No, indeed The gun in the kitchen
is loaded, and we're ready for him."
''That's right Don't let him catch
you unawares. Did they attempt to en-
ter by way of the door?''
mo; they must have clumb one OF
the trees and tried to git into the back
winder. They had quarrel among
themselves, and one of 'em fired off a
gun or pistol, and then my husband he
fired, too, and the man groaned and
jumped mp in the air. So he must have
been hit purity hard"
"Undoubtedly. will take look at
the room and window, please. You
know it is necessary that should secure
all the information l can. "
"Mercy, can tallow you to do that!
BE CONTINUED NEXT FRIDAY