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

being!"
IL cannot reconcile the two accounts
at all, Mabel, I frankly admit. This is
an additional mystery in this already
too mysterious affair. Wray certainly
can believe, but 1 know nothing about
Mr.. Finnecure Vandeleur. He may have
been telling me pack of lies for any
thing know"
LET me see," said Mabel, "how do
the dates agree? According to this man
Vandeleur, she joined the company
about year after her disappearance,
and then a few months afterward she
left again That would be about the
time George met her at the village inn
on the Wye. Very probably she went
straight there, and in that case you
would be able to find out if she had al
ways been alone, as George found her,
or if these friends of hers accompanied
her. You had better 60 down to Hinton
at once and make inquiries.
IA good idea, indeed, Mabel. You
would make capital detective. "
Don't you think times like these
sharpen all our wits, Duncan? Why,
even you are energetic, she added
with one of her old smiles.
could not resist proving the truth
of this by drawing her to me and kiss
ing her sweet lips And she forgave me.
All that night was travelling and
thinking. Next morning found me in
the old fashioned central street Of Hin
ton, the little fishing village on the
Wye, where George had met this wom-
an who was to exercise such an influence
upon his life. Had l been there on any
less important errand, should have ad-
mired the beauty Of the place, but as it
was ! hurried to the inn with no other
thought than my mission. The Coach
and Horses was comfortable, old fash
ioned hostelry Except in the winter
months, it was generally full of fisher
men or tourists and had justly acquired
reputation among them for comfort
and convenience. The landlady was
Miss Arabella Pridgett. and l tried to
make friends with her from the first
minute l arrived. l did not broach the
subject that lay uppermost in my
thoughts until after dinner, when she
at last seemed to have time on her
hands.
! Did she remember Miss Western or
Miss Staples staying at the inn about
Is months ago?
Miss Western, no, but Miss Staples,
yes Don't you know as how she has
been murdered, sir? And the papers say
by Mr. George Fenton, who first met
her in this very house. But I'll never
believe it, sir-neverP'
Il am glad you don't believe it, Miss
Pridgett, for am a friend Of Mr. Fen.
ton s and have come here in search OF
evidence shall be very glad if you
will tell me all you know of Miss Sta
Piles. "
Lady Florence Mostyn," observed
the landlady, ito give her real name,
as see by the newspapers"
Quite so, replied. IF you can
give us any useful information, you
will earn our gratitude, and it may be
that you will be instrumental in saving
al innocent man from the gallows.
Miss Prideett seemed pleased at the
Importance with which she was so sud.
denly invested, and, nothing loath, told
the tale somewhat as follows:
THE very first time as l set my eyes
on the late Lady Florence Mostyn was
Oh a Friday night of May, last year.
She came here alone and with precious
little luggage and asked if l had small
room at liberty. l happened to have
one. which she took and kept all the
time she was here. | can show you the
room, sir It's scarcely big enough for
one person to turn round in, but it suit
ed Lady Florence down to the ground.
She had supper in the coffee room that
night. but as it was pretty full Of gen.
tlemen she only made hasty meal.
and then went up stairs.
THE next day a sandy haired gentle
man. with only one arm, turned up
with some luggage-a Mr.. Lambert he
said his name was There was no room
for him, so he staid at Harkness', the
grocer's, but he had his meals here with
Lady Florence Mostyn-Miss Staples
that is, as we called her. They had the
private sitting room as soon as it was
at liberty, which was OH the Monday fol-
lowing. | remember that particularly
well, for on that very day another gen.
tleman comes here and waits in the
coffee room till he sees them 60 out to-
gether; then he raps out an oath and
rushes after them. They had gone to-
ward the summer house at the back, but
before they had got across the lawn the
gentleman overlook them. They were
too far off to hear what was said, but
theiY looks were expressive enough.
First Of all, Lady Florence she grabs
hold Of Mr.. Lambert, and seems about
to fall to the ground with fright. Mr..
Lambert puts his one arm round her
and holds her up, while he places him.
self betwiXt her and the stranger. There
was some strong language used on that
green, sir, and though couldn't hear
the words, it was plain to any one that
there was a violent quarrel on both
sides. Then the newcomer seemed about
to strike Mr. Lambert, but Lady Flor
ence she pulls herself together and
stands up. She then says something tc
the new man which seems to astonish
him, and makes him change his mind
about striking Mr.. Lambert. Then they
all grow calmer, and at last all three
come indoors and go up to the sitting
room, and l could hear them talk, talk,
talk, till closing time, when the two
gentlemen left together quite friendly.