Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-09-17
Copyright, 1897, by Robert Buchanan.
CHAPTER TX.

coiled before him and stood gazing
wildly into his face, while the old wo'
man, trembling and muttering to her
self, slipped past him and left the room.
He approached nearer. I stood still,
looking at him, my heart throbbing and
all my blood boiling in indignation
against him.
"My God," 1 murmured. "then ii
was you"
He bent his head, and his face grew
paler still
"Will you listen to me?" he said in
a low voice. ~ wish to explain every.
thing"
81 will not listen" said indignant
ly. 81 have nothing to say to you.
wish to leave this house. p
As | moved to pass him he turned to
the door, closed it and stood with his
back to it looking at me.
"You must remain where you are, "
he said, lat least tonight. Do so, and
swear to you that no harm shall come
to you. For what l have done, Gather
inc, ask your forgiveness 1 was mad
perhaps, but I took you at your word. 1t
was my last chance"
I remained stupefed, at loss to
comprehend him, only conscious Of a
sickening horror and dread Of him. He
saw and understood the expression on
nv face and continued in his low, sad,
musical voice:
"You remember what you said-that
he who married you must win you even
against your own will? The devil put ii
in my head to do it, and you are here.
This is my house. Your person is sacred
in it, but wish you to remain as its
mistress-as my wife.
"Your wife!" repeated "You COW.
ard, l will never forgive you, never
again take your hand even in friend
ship, and for what you have done to me
you shall be punished, be sure Of that
Stand aside, sir, and let me gol"
"It is too late for that, Catherine,
even if it were my will that we should
part. It is not my will You must re-
main"
struggled to pass him, but he stood
like a rock. In my mad passion 1 struck
him in the face with all my strength.
He smiled sadly and looked into my eyes.
"You see, it is useless" he said.
"What is done is done. l would gladly
recall it. but regrets are always in vain.
BY this time the alarm has been given,
and you are being sought for far and
wide 1t will be thought, no doubt, that
you are dead-murdered perhaps. Well,
apres? No one will guess the truth until
I choose to reveal it. In the meantime
ask you to think it all over-to remem-
ber the love bear you and to ask your
self is it not better to resign oneself to
the inevitable.
"You mean that am your prisoner?
That you will dare to detain me here?
Think what you are doing! Suffer me to
go now, and I will try to forget what
you have done!'
"There is only one way now,' he an
swered quietly "You must consent to
be my wife"
II will never do that" l cried;
"never, neverl Even if I had ever cared
for you, what you have done would
make me hate you and despise you. l
thought you were gentleman-you are
q scoundrel-a scoundrel and miser-
able coward y
Whatever am l love you. Gather
inc. That is all the defense have to
offer"
"Help, therel Helpr.' I cried.
"It is useless he said. "No one
will heed you The people are bound to
me, and they have their Instructions If
you are wise, you will remain here
quietly. Whatever you need or ask for
shall be brought to you My old house.
keeper will look after your comfort.
You may assure yourself that you are
perfectly safe under this roof Rest here
in peace and tomorrow will come to
you again.
Before I could answer him again he
slipped out Of the door, which he lock-
ed upon me. Convinced now that es-
cape was impossible, / threw myself in
to the chair and fell into passion Of
huBIy eSe,1S-
Presently l grew calmer All my
pride was aroused, and l determined,
by one method or another, to be even
with the man who had used me so in
famously. Instead of struggling in vain
to escape would await my opportunity
and seize it. There was nothing else to
do.
Suddenly heard voices through the
window. arose, looked out. and listen
ed. All was still very dark, but I dis
tinctly heard the voice of Langford Civ
ing some directions A gruf voice re-
piled, "All right, your honor. " Then
beard the sound of q horse's hoofs grow
ing fainter and fainter. Some one was
galloping away from the house
returned to my seat and sat looking
at the fire.
Presently the door opened and the
old woman appeared carrying tray
covered with Write napkin. On the
tray were basin of broth, some biscuits
and glass Of wine
This, time I made no attempt to es-
cape, but remained seated, watching
the woman, who placed the tray on q
small table beside me-