Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-11-10


ward the station Burrows wondered
whether he would really keep the story
to himself. He doubted it; but, as much
as he should have liked to start in pur-
suit of this strange visitor Of the night
previous, he scarcely cared to leave
fore the return of his superior.
He had been standing in the road,
near the main gate, during his conver-
sation with the station agent, and now,
turning toward the house, be saw a
young woman coming out. He recog-
nized her as one who he had supposed
was a servant, from the fact that he had
seen her cooking in the kitchen while
the inquest was started. He decided to
question her, and as she came out and
was passing him he said:
Pardon me, but I wish to say few
words to you.
The woman faced him in silence and
waited for him to speak.
"Will you tell me your name?"
"SaraE.
"Your last name also, if you please. "
Carpenter"
"Now will you tell me what you
know about what occurred last night
and whether you heard any pistol shot!''
"No, won't, and that's fiat. "
Before he recovered from his surprise
at the asperity of her reply she abrupt
ly turned from him and proceeded along
the road. He looked after her wonder
ingly. Was it possible that this woman
held the key to the situation? If SO, 1t
became most puzzling, from the fact
that it did not seem to fit any theory as
vet advanced. Yet her manner was not
that of one who was entirely ignorant
He decided to speak to Mr.. Barnes about
this and to leave it to him to obtain her
secret, if she mad one. He went into the
house in search of Squire Olney and
found him in the parlor conversing
with Lewis. AS he entered he heard the
squire say: .
II suppose, Mr.. Lewis, that you will
sleep here tonight, as this house is now
yours?"
1t occurred to Burrows at once that
this was his opportunity to continue the
line Of inquiry suggested by Mr.. Barnes
in his note. Therefore, without wait
ing for Lewis to reply, he said:
esquire, you say this house is now
the property of this young man. I hope
both of you will pardon my asking
whether will has been found"
II am not at all offended" said
Lewis promptly. "That is a very proper
question. Squire, do you know anything
about this?"
"Why, 'yesl I should have spoken to
you before. have the will in my pock-
ct now. It was given into my keeping
by your father, some time ago. do not,
however, know its contents, except that
am named as one of the executors, for
he had the document drawn in Boston
and gave it into my hands III sealed
envelope. Here it is, as I received it. "
He drew forth a legal looking envelope
of large proportions "Shall open it?'
Lewis nodded, and Burrows was too
curious to know its contents to call at
tention to the fact that it might be as
well not to read the will until notice
could be given to other possible bene-
iciaries under it's provisions. The squire
forthwith opened and read the paper. In
substance it was to the effect that the
house and all available funds should
become the unconditional property OF
Virginia Lewis. There was a clause IN
which AL allusion was mado to the son;
but, far from making him legatee, it
was plainly explained that Lewis pere
considered that his son had forfeited all
claim upon his bounty, and therefore no
direct provision was made for his re-
ceiving any part Of tho estate. But there
was a request that, in case the young
man should return home, Virginia
should do for him whatever his circum-
stances seemed to require.
Burrows listened with close attention
and quoted this clause with much in
terest. Here was evidence that the
young man, then present, could not
have committed the crime with the GER
tainty of inheriting Lewis then said:
"Well, gentlemen, it seems that am
not the owner Of this house after all,
and therefore cannot sleep here without
the permission of my cousin. But I sup
pose you can arrange that much for me,
at least?' He appealed to the squire,
who replied:
"I am sure Of it. Virgie would not
turn stranger from her roof, and am
confident that when she understands
that you are so near a relative she will
offer you the hospitality which is due to
you. In fact, if I know her character, !
doubt if she will accept the property at
all, now that you have returned.
"Once MORE" said Burrows, Il hope
you will see that I am speaking con-
scientiously when I remind you, Mr..
Lewis, that you have given US no proof
of your identity. Of course your word
alone was sufficient this morning when
wo were coming here. We expected to
find Mr.. Lewis alive, and it would have
been his privilege to satisfy any doubt.
But now, under the peculiar circum-
stances, I hope you don't miscontrue
my motives"-
mot in the least" replied Lewis.
"You are investigating a murder and
are right to demand thorough expla-
nation of my movements and proof OF
my identity. I am stranger to you,
and you have but my unsupported word.
am more glad than sorry that l am
disinherited by my fathers will did
not deserve any consideration at his
hands anyway, and under the distress
ing circumstances, and considering my