Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-11-06

hope He will expect letter from me
tomorrow morning. ! came out to post
it, but / am certain that am watched
by the detectives. I did not dare to 60
to our Office for fear that they would
discover just what I do not want them
to know. The only way left is to send
the letter to New Market and mail il
there. How can we do that?"
Alice had entirely composed herself
and while her friend spoke was rapidly
dressing She replied:
II know the very one to trust, for OF
course it must be tried friend, as the
bearer of the letter will discover the ad.
dress. Will Everly is the man for this
emergency. Walter, you remember,
saved him once when he was nearly
drowned, and since then believe he has
been ready to sacrifice his life for my
brother at any moment. "
"Wil ia the man that I had in my
mind. Can you send one Of the boys to
his house for him?"
"Wait here till return, and I will
fix it. " With these words Alice quilted
the room. Left to herself, Virginia was
at once thoughtful She could not be-
ieve that all the agitation which she
had witnessed in her friend was solely
due to the coincidence Of nightmare.
Yet how could Alice have really known
anything of the crime, since she had not
been out Of her own room, unless indeed
she had been present the night beforel
Alice returned and, as she entered, said:
"I have sent Frank, one Of the stable
boys, for Will Now, shall tell you
what did last night?"
Virginia signiAed her assent. and het
companion proceeded.
Harry Lucas had promised to take
me to drive in the evening, but during
the afternoon he called and told me that
it would be impossible to do so, as be
had received note which would make
it necessary for him to leave town. did
not doubt his statement, and after a lit
tie conversation be left the house. After
his departure I found on the floor 9
note which he must have dropped in
taking his handkerchief from his pocket.
Of course had no right to read it, and
did not think of doing so until I recog.
nized that the address was in your
writing"
Alice paused, but Virginia said moth
ing, though the color deepened on he,
cheek. Alice continues:
81 suppose that, knowing you had ac-
cepted my brothers. love, it was a con-
temptible thing for me to feel jealous.
Nevertheless confess with shame and
regret that such was the case. There
fore opened the note. As you know the
contents, you can readily imagine that
what read was scarcely calculated te
dissipate my anger. You invited him te
secret meeting. The hour named was
for last evening Thus Harry had broken
his promise to me, giving me false ex'
cuse, in order to meet you.
"Impetuous, as you know l am, I al
once determined to be present. You had
specified that be should wait for you in
the south side of the summer house on
your lawn. had only to go early and
conceal myself in the northern division.
As l drew on my cloak preparatory to
starting my eye fell on my pistol, which
lay on my dressing case, and, though
did not think Of needing it or Of using
it, in my excitement took it up and
slipped it into my pocket. reached the
place first, as was my intention, .and
patiently awaited your arrival. Harry
came, and you joined him promptly. I
need not tell you what occurred between
you. / overheard every word, and you
can imagine how much ashamed I was
of my doubt Of Harry and of yourself
when I learned the real object Of the
meeting. l felt like revealing my pres
ence and begging your pardon, but my
pride prevented me. So l remained in
my place of concealment until both OF
you had left. Then I hurried home"
but this would scarcely account for
the Dreams" said Virginia, without
commenting on the rest of the story.
"I have not finished. I said that
had taken my pistol with me when !
went out. On my return was alarmed
at not finding it, for, as you know, my
name is engraved on the stock. My i'm
aginative mind at once commenced to
picture all kinds of trouble. What II
some one should find the weapon and
commit crime with it? Might not the
finger of suspicion point at me? l felt
inclined to return and look for it, but
the distance is a long one, and besides
I could not be sure of recovering it.
Therefore, trying to persuade myself
that my fears were silly, endeavored
to go to sleep. But, oh, Virgie, what a
night have passed." She shuddered at
the recollection.
II can readily understand and am
now not surprised at what you said
when came in. Shall we go down and
see if the boy has returned?" The two
girls left the room and descended to
thu floor below. Here they found their
messenger and were informed that Will
Everly would be ready to go on their
errand as soon as he could get his horse
out. A quarter of an hour later Everly
drove up, and Alice carried the letter
out to him.
As soon as the horse and wagon were
out of sight Oh the road to New Market,
Virginia prepared to return home