Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-08-31
A MARRIAGE BY CAPTURE.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
Author of sThe Shadow of the Sword," "God and the
Man, Etc.
Copyright, 1897, by Robert Buchanan.
CHAPTER III.

had taken place previously 10 Iue uual
disappearance of the heroine of this true
story.
Miss Catherine Power was the most
popular lady in the whole of the county
of Mayo. She possessed three stepping
stones to popularity-she was beautiful,
wealthy and unmarried.
When it was rumored that she was
coming to Newport to take possession
of the property which had been most
unexpectedly left to her, it was gener-
ally predicted that the local gentry
would receive her with open arms. 1t
was something, indeed, in that wild
district, to be the lucky possessor Of
Castle Craig, with rent roll of several
thousands a year. But when the young
lady appeared personally upon the scene
the money became a secondary consld.
Grafton altogether. 1t had been expect
ed, yet not one could tell exactly why,
that the unknown heiress would be a
mature lady of goodly proportions, with
a keen eye, an aggressive nose and
purse proud, naughty air. Miss Power,
however, was but three and twenty
years Of age, had tall, slim figure, a
finely formed head and face, and the
grace of lady to the manner born. Her
hair was jet black, her skin fair as
lily, her eyebrows dark, and her eyes OF
a deep violet blue.
Whether she smiled or frowned or
gazed with that dreamy look which her
face so often wore Catherine Power
never for moment lost the fatal power
of fascination which was destined to
prove her bane.
By one and all this power Of hers
was felt. The men might shrug their
shoulders at the thought of meeting the
popular heiress of Castle Craig, the an
cry mammas might sneer, the jealous
maidens rail, but once they We're intro
troduced into the lady's presence they
succumbed as all before had done and
laid their allegiance at her feet.
In word, she came like queen to
her own and reigned absolute.
In addition to her wealth, her beauty
and her single blessedness she had two
other supreme gifts to win the hearts of
the Irish gentry-she danced like a
sylph and she sat her horse like an an
gel.
Little or nothing was known Of her
antecedents except that she had been
brought up in England, where her par
ents had died, leaving her small for
tune, quite enough for single young
lady to subsist upon. Then came the
announcement Of her accession to the
Mayo estates, which was closely follow
ed by her appearance at Castle Craig,
where for many days she kept open
house, receiving the calls and congratu-
lations of the gentry and tenantry.
Before long the whole Of the county
was ringing with the echoes Of her
name, and the local newspapers thought
it their duty to chronicle her comings
and goings as if she were an offshoot
of royalty. Suitors swarmed about her
like bees about sugar bowl, but the
dreamy young lady, conscious Of her
worth, merely smiled to herself and
dismissed them one and all with po-
lite but decided "No."
Whether or not society was distaste-
full to her no one could tell, but the fact
remains that she showed a curious love
of solitude and was in the habit Of tax
ing lonely walks, rides and drives in
the most dreary parts in the district.
Her groom was by no means astonish-
ed, therefore, when, one dark autumn
day, Miss Power ordered her favorite
horse to be saddled and cantered away
from the castle without escort OF any
kind. She felt in the mood for good
long ride that day, so she gal1oped to
Westport, a distance Of 10 miles, and
having executed some commissions
started again for home.
It was q fresh though cloudy after
noon, the wind was blowing brlskly
from the sea and as the horses hoofs
clattered ON the road the eyes OF the
fair rider sparkled, her cheeks flushed
and her lips parted to drink in the
breath Of the salt, bracing air. When she
had covered some 10 miles Of the home
ward way and had reached the outskirts
OF Inc CdSGle WOOu, Big IeluSu III uc1
steaming horse and trotted along a
bride path which skirted the woods
and cut off two miles Of the road.
She had been trotting thus for about
ten minutes when she heard ruStling
among the trees, and man dressed as
peasant, but wearing a Grape mask,
rushed from the shelter of the woods
and seized her bride rein.
The horse reared furiously, bat the
lady kept her scat and raising her rid
ing whip brought it down sharply across
the ruffian's face. At this unexpected
attack he fell back, while Miss Power,
applying both spur and whip to her
frightened horse, made him bound for
ward and gallop furiously in the direc-
ton Of the castle.
When Miss Power dfsmounted at her
own door, her face was pale. and her
fair form was still trembling from the
fright of the recent adventure, but
alighting from her horse she handed
the reins to the groom and said quietly
Leave the stabling of Wildtire to
some one else tonight, Cormick. want
i WI,