Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-09-10
A MARRIAGE BY CAPTURE.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
Author of "The Shadow of the Sword,' "GOd and the
Man, Etc.
CHAPTER VI
Copyright, 1897, by Robert Buchanan.

1COiy UJ AeOoOiV
CHAPTER VI
The arrest of Patrick Blake caused
no little commotion in the district,
where, in spite of his wild habits and
more probably on account of them, he
was general favorite. The Irish heart
instinctively sympathizes, in and out Of
season, with scapegrace, especially II
he is ousted from possession or an in
heritance, and the young man was a
lawful heir, from the popular point OF
view, of Craig castle and the contin-
gent estates
But, the arrest having been made, the
authorities were still placed between
the horns of dilemma.
There was no absolute proof that q
serious crime had been committed, no
absolute proof that Miss Power was
either living or dead. To establish a
charge of murder it was absolutely
necessary to show that some one had
been murdered, and how was it posi-
BILE to do that under the circumstances?
Brought up before the magistrates at
Newport, Patrick Blake was charged
"on suspicion" of having abducted and
made away with Miss Catherine Power
of Craig castle and with having on a
former occasion offered her personal
violence
Peter Linnie, who appeared for the
prisoner, laughed the charge to scorn.
oh hn cold tN hIC
client with the crime, which had never
In all probability been committed and
Of which, at any rate, there was no
proof whatever. AS to the second count,
it was even more ridiculous, seeing that
Blake and his cousin, shortly after he
was supposed to have offered her per-
sonal violence, were on excellent terms.
Captain Kennedy proved, however,
that the missing lady had gone about in
bodily fear Of her cousin and had asked
for police protection. He also produced
the cloak and blood stained handker-
chief which had been found near the
spot of the assault. and they were iden-
titled as the property of Miss Power.
The car driver, Feeny. testified to
the assault itself on the mcmeDtous
evening; but, cross examined by Linnie,
he was unable to swear positively as to
the number or appearance Of the assail-
ants. Immediately on their reappear-
ance he had been knocked down and
rendered insensible. On his recovery he
had distinctly heard his mistress voice
screaming for help some distance away,
and instead Of Fastening to her assist
ance he had driven off to give the alarm
to the police.
Among the witnesses called was Mr..
Langford, who seemed greatly annoyed
and grieved at being questioned at all.
Asked if Miss Power had ever ex-
pressed fear of her cousin or had identi-
fed him as the author of the first attack,
he answered with some reluctance in
the affirmative His evidence, however,
seemed Of very little Importance until
Peter Linnie rose to cross examine him.
"Come now, Mr. Langford, speak the
truth like an honest man and remem-
ber, if you please, that you are on your
oath"
II am not likely to forget it," an
swered Langford sadly.
II hope not, sir. You say you were
an intimate acquaintance Of Miss Pow
er?''
II was"
"You knew she was fairly wealthy
lady?"
Certainly"
"And you yourself were very poor
man?''
mot rich man at any rate
"Not a rich man at any rate. So it
came into your head maybe that it
might be good thing if you could per-
suade her to share her wealth with
your
Langford's eyes flashed angrily.
81 certainly did ask her to become
my wife" he replied
"Did she consent?"
"No; she refused" "
"Once or more than once?"
"More than once.
"And you were aware at that time
that there was another Richmond in
the feld-that her cousin, Mr.. Blake,
had proposed to herr"
"No"
"No9 Come, now. didn't you know
it?''
II thought it was possible, but I had
no actual knowledge of the fact"
"That will do for me. You knew,
then, that you had rival and that the
more you could discredit him the better
your own chance might be-
II never gave him the slightest
thought or consideration
'But after Miss Power disappeared
you went to the police barracks and
gave certain information?"
II went there merely to make in
quiries. for was very anxious"
"Ah ha, but you suggested or in
sinuated that your rival. Mr. Blake,
might be the guilty person?"
Nothing of the kind It was sug-
gested TO me that he might be guilty,
but could not believe it"
"But you believe it now9"
The reply was remarkable.
"No, I do not believe it.''
Even Peter Linnie was astonished
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