Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-09-17
A MARRIAGE BY CAPTURE.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
Author of ssThe Shadow of the Sword, "God and the
Man, Etc.

| it's poor fare for great lady like ye
but it's the best ould Mamie can offer
ye this night"
Where is your master?" I asked.
"Ele's ridden away to Mulrany, )" was
the reply. ~ was to tell ye he'd be
back at daybreak. "
In a moment l leaped to my feet and
ran to the door, which stood wide open,
but on the threshold was captured by
two men who stood on the landing. One
was old, the other young, but both
were strong and powerful.
"You can't pass, my lady, said the
older man. "We're to watch over you
till the master comes back. "
"For Gods sake, let me goI" I cried
"Help me from this house. l am rich
You shall be we'll rewarded You know
am prisoner here. You know. have
been kept here against my will, and"--
"Sure we know all that, my lady, "
answered the old man respectfully, "but
we've our orders from the masther. You
don't lave here till it's his pleasure that
you shall go!"
"Come now, honey, and ate a bit, "
said the old woman softly.
I looked at the men and saw that they
were determined, and with an angry
cry walked back to my prison.
How the rest Of the night passed l
scarcely remember. l was again left
alone to my own wild thoughts, and at
last, worn out and hopeless, I must
have fallen asleep.
Iawoke shivering. The fire had gone
out and the cold, gray dawn was creep
ing in through the window. I arose
wearily and looked OFT. The room oc.
cupied was at the top Of the house. Be-
low it was large paved yard, with sta
BILE and outbuildings and beyond that a
dreary prospect of bog and mountain
A man was in the yard whistling and
polishing some harness He was a
young and stalwart peasant, and | had
never, to my knowledge, seen his face
before.
He looked up, and our eyes met, but
he Immediately turned his face away. !
opened the window and called to him.
He paid no attention whatever. | look
ed around on every side and saw only
the dreary landscape lighted by rainy
dawn, but suddenly heard the sound
Of a horse galloping, and Immediately
afterward MIR. Langford, wet and mud
bestained, rode into the yard.
He alighted and handed his horse to
the man, who said something to him,
and he looked up toward the window
and waved his hand.
l turned away from the window and
waited quietly. In few minutes
heard q footstep on the landing, and
there was knock at the door.
MAY come imp said the voice OF
the master Of the house
l made no reply. After brief pause
the key was turned in the lock, the door
opened, and Mr. Langford appeared.
"Good morning, Catherine, " he said.
sat silent and did not even look at
him.
II hope you have rested?" he con-
tinued. II shouldn't have disturbed
you had l not seen that you were up
and awake.
I remained in the same position, my
face averted, my eyes on the empty fire.
place, but when he approached and bent
over me I sprang to my feet.
"Do not touch me-, cried
Forgive me, - he said "Iwas mere
ly anxious on your account. Believe
me, would give my life to undo what
l have done.
Have you come to set me free?" l
asked, painting and gazing fiercely into
his face.
"No, he replied and while uttered
an angry cry he continued: II have
come to tell you that they are searching
for you far and wide. Close to the
bridge at Mulrany they have found your
cloak and blood stained handkerchief,
and the impression is that you have
been killed. thrown into the river and
swept out t6 sea. I myself, as in duty
bound, have been assisting in,the search,
and l have offered a reward Of elO0
to any one who will explain the mystery
Of your disappearance.
So saying he drew forth a printed pla-
card which offered the reward in ques-
ton. looked at it in wonder, and from
him to it. There was strange smile on
his face, but his lips were quivering and
his eyes kept their usual sadness
"You see l am thorough as you
once called it. Thanks to my ingenuity,
no one will ever think of looking for
you here. No one will suspect that Phil
ip Langford, who offers a reward for
your discovery and is himself so active
in instructing the police, is really the
prime agent in the whole affair"
l gazed at him in terror. The whole
scheme seemed so cold d,blooded, so dia-
bolical
"God will punish you, I" exclaimed,
"even if l can't"
The smile faded away, and he replied
wearily:
"God has punished me already. /
have staked my soul on this hazard and
fear that have lost. "
fell at his feet, olinging to him and
looking up into his face
LET me gol" sobbed. LET me go
now, and will pardon everything. No