Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-15
Copyright, 1899, by Florence Warden.
CHAPTER I.
TIE LOST BROTHER.

Ny Dear Reggie don't know whether 1t Is
that my temper becomes shorter as the end OF
my holiday draws near, but ] can't stand this
place at all. Il is full Of people. and the crowds
bother me. The weather is magnificent. which.
OF course. accounts for the fact that the numbers
Of the visitors have not yet begun to thin. As
for my health, don't know whether 1t is any
better but. on the other hand, | don't think 1t
Is any worse Ny cough is still rather trouble
some al night. ! am regular pale young
curate' now. and think rather resent the
sympathetic glances the old ladies throw in my
direction. It Is evident that they consider me
interesting" distinction at which, to do me
Justice, you will own ! have never aimed.
think / shall 20 on staying day or two at
Bettws.y. Coed, to South Wales, to get away from
the eternal camera and bicycle and from the
equally eternal young lady with the high pitched
voice and the novel which she carries about and
never reads Yours GRANNY.
On the oath of September the same
writer dated his letter from Aberyst-
with:
Dear Reggie-This place is better; not quite 30
full On the other hand. ! don't feel quite 30
we'll. This is to be accounted for. however, oy
the change in the weather. which Is now wet ana
cold. | have been out to the DEVILS bridge, but
i am gong 10 10 SONnetuiHS "o'S
There are some much less trequented and wilder
regions to be explored in this part Of Wales than
I'D in the north. which Is like Regent street.
Don't be surprised II you don't hear from me for
q fortnight. ! shall be on tramp Yours,
GRANNY.
Reginald Mason, who was much
troubled about the health Of his broth
er, wrote of to him at once on re-
ceipt Of this letter begging him not 10
be too venturesome and not to begin
exploring unknown tracts Of country
in weather so uupropitious.
He got one more letter. dated Sept.
80. acknowledging his note OF warning
and announcing that Granville had
put of his expedition in Difference to
his brothers advice. The weather
having now changed for the better.
however he intended to proceed with
out further delay.
He wrote In q robust and cheerful
tone. as II In the highest spirits over
his proposed excursion. He had got
hold of an odd creature. he said;
wild. uncouth. redheaded son of the
mountains. who was going to act as
his guide and to coach him up in all
the old Welsh tales and superstitions.
And then his brother heard no more.
At the end Of one week Reginald was
curious; at the end of the second i'm
patient; after the lapse Of third he
was anxious and worried. The
weather had grown bitterly cold for
the time Of year. and already reports
had reached London Of snow in the
mountains Of Scotland and Of heavy
rains in Wales. He wrote half dozen
letters to Aberystwith. addressed to
his brother. to the proprietor Of the ho-
tel where he had staid. to the chief Of
police. But all without much result.
The proprietor Of the hotel wrote that
the Rev. Granville Mason had left the
hotel on the morning of Oct. and had
taken the train with the intention. as
he stated. Of alighting at Trecoed and
Of making a tour on foot from that
town among the points Of interest In
the neighborhood.
The chief of police wrote that he had
heard of no accident Detailing any
traveller recently In the country. And
the letters Reginald had addressed to
his brother were returned to him.
Thoroughly alarmed. he determined
to 20 down into Wales himself and to
make inquiries. starting from the
small town Of Trecoed. 1t was near
the middle of November when he ar
rived at the place and made direct for
the principal inn. Here. at the very
outset Of his researches. he came upon
the track Of his brother. The inn
keeper nodded intelligently at the first
questions put by Reginald Mason.
"a young clergyman. tall, thin, gray
eyes and brown hair? Yes, sir; he
was here for one night about five
weeks ago. But can give you the
exact date by looking at my books,
and | can show you his portmanteau.
suppose am right, sir. In thinking
you are his brother?'
"Why. what made you think that?
We are not supposed to be at all
alike"
NOl III ldCS, Uul Ill NOiSS.
could have recognized the voice any
where. and that in spite Of the way Of
speaking young clergymen always
have"
And can you tell me where he went
to from here"
"He was going to explore the coun-
try and make his way down gradually
to the south by the Black mountains
and the Meath valley and along the
ChepStow and then up the Wye and
SO round here again to fetch his lug
gage"
"He meant to come back here"
well sir. he said he might and he
might not. If he didn't come. he was
to let me know where to send his lug
gage on"
"And what was the date Of that?"
asked Reginald Mason. whose anS-
iety was not much allayed by this In
telligence.
The landlord was looking through
his book.
at was on the Sd of October that
he went away"
"Was be aloneY'
"He was alone when he left the
house. but had warned him not to
cross the mountains without q guide,
and he said be had engaged one
"Ah! We eau find him out. ] sup
pose, without any trouble"