Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-03-22

once on this point. It may be very
vital one.
1t seemed to me that Mabel might be
right, and if so, painful as it would be
to George to discuss this episode in his
sweetheart's life, was bound to take
advantage Of any information he could
give us. The next day obtained the
necessary permission to visit the pris-
oner at Holloway, and lost no time in
seeing him.
When I had last visited him, he had
welcomed my appearance, but now be
looked up vacantly when entered, and
there was scarcely gleam of recoRni-
tion on his face. He seemed utterly
crushed, and felt the man was on the
highroad to madness.
He listened to the messages brought
from home without replying and sat
with his face in his hands, staring fixed
ly at the stone floor of his cell. told
him Of the further developments Of the
case but he made no comment, and
despaired Of being able to rouse him.
However, when mentioned Hinton, he
seemed to interest himself little, and
then l told him of my recent visit there.
George, old man," said, "I've
come here for information, and I don't
want to go away without it. Last time
I was here you told me of your meeting
the lady at the inn, but you said she
was alone I have learned that though
she was alone when you met her there
had been two friends of hers staying in
the village before you came. Did you
know this?"
This question seemed to rouse him
from his lethargy. He started up almost
fercely and said:
"What business is it of yours to 60
ferreting in the matter?"
my dear fellow, we are not doing it
out of mere curiosity. Each piece Of in
formation we get hold of we hope to be
one step toward your innocence being
proved
George paced the cell with feverish
unrest.
Don't you think would rather die
than have any evidence raked up which
may lead to nothing, and only serve to
show up the unhappiness Of her life3"
"Then you knew of these men?"
Il did"
"Did you ever ask her about them?"
Eyes"
"What did she say?"
"She told who one Of them was, but
would say nothing more about them.
She asked me not to refer to the matter
again, and said if | cared for her !
should respect her wishes in the matter,
and / did,.
groaned inwardly. Georges infatu-
alton for the woman was too sublime.
"Then can you tell us nothing about
them?'
"Nothing, except that If believe
anything in the world I believe that
her connection with them was every
thing l could have wished, and if you
are my friend you will respect her
wishes as have DONE"
"Nonsense, George. l can do nothing
Of the sort, and it is absurd your asking
me. Besides, if Lady Florence Mostyn
was what you believe her to be, no
harm could come to her good name by
these investigations, and unless we get
come further evidence on this particular
incident she runs the risk Of being con-
sidered friendly with two very indiffer-
ent characters. 4"
said this with brutal frankness. I
could not stop to think Of Georges feel
ings; it was his life I was trying to
save.
think his first impulse was to strike
me. He made a step toward me with
olinched fist, then he hesitated and
said, with unnatural quietnsss:
"You seem to forget you are speak
ing of dead woman and one whom !
wished to make my wife"
"No, | do not, George, and it is that
very reason which forces me to do what
I can to unravel this mystery. Only by
doing so can we know her as she really
was.
George sat down wearily.
"For Gods sake, Duncan, let Us fin
ish this talkl What do you want me to
tell you?"
"You just now said you learned who
one of these men was. Who was he?"
"He was her brother.
Her brotherp'
"Yes. A man who had gone under
and whom she was trying to keep
straight. That is all know.
This was certainly news and very
plausible piece of deception on the wo-
mans part. Here she was consorting
with couple of thieves Her lover
asks, "Who are these men?" Zone Of
them is my BROTHER" she replies-"a
man who has gone astray and from the
paths of virtue and whom / am trying
to reform" And the robbery, reflect
ed, grimly, was the first fruit of this
reformation but, Of course, kept my
thoughts to myself.
"Well, George, this is surprising in
formation, said, land it may be Of
the greatest use to US This brother of
hers must be found. Which of the men
was hep
81 don't know. have told you all
more than l had any right to. "
81 don't think SO, old fellow. If any
information you can give helps to save
you, you may be sure she would not
have wished you to withhold it"
George made no reply. His excite.
ment had died away, and he was now
gazing stolidly at the floor, seemingly
unconscious of my presence.
l left him with horrible forebodings
in nv heart. Even if he saved his life,
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