Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-11-14
CHAPTER II.
A BLOODY SLEEVE.

hillside and ending on the wharfs
On one of the corners thus made stoot
the Webb house. with Its front doc
on the main street and Its side doc
on one of the hillside lanes. AS th'
group of men and boys who had beer
in search of Mr.. Sutherland entered
this last mentioned lane they coult
pick out this house from all the others
as 1t was the only one in which ligh
was still burning. Mr.. Sutherland los
no time in entering upon the scene o.
the tragedy. AS his imposing figure
emerged from the darkness and paused
on the outskirts of the crowd blocking
up every entrance to the house, muir
muir Of welcome went up, after which
a way was made for him to the from
door.
But before he could enter some ont
plucked him by the sleeve.
"Look upw whispered a voice Into
his ear.
He did so and saw woman's body
hanging half out Of an upper window
1t hung limp. and the sight made hin
sick Notwithstanding his threescore
years Of experience.
"Who's thatT' he cried. THAT'S no,
Agatha Webb's head and shoulders"
mo. it's Batsy. the cook. She's dead
too. We left her where we found
her for the coroner to see."
"But this Is horrible" murmured Mr.
Sutherland. HAS there been butch
er here"
AS he uttered these words he felt an
other quick pressure on his arm. Look
ing down. he saw leaning against him
the form Of a young woman, but before
he could address her she had started
upright again and was moving on with
the throng. 1t was Miss Page.
"It was the sight of this woman
hanging from the window which first
drew attention to the house." volun
teered a man who was standing as 9
sort of guardian at the main gateway
"Some of the sailors wives who had
been to the wharfs to see their hus
bands off on the ship that sailed at day
break saw 1t as they came up the lane
~ their way home and gave the alarm
,'ithout that we might not yet have
nown what had happened"
"Put Mrs. Webbw
Come in and see."
There was q board fence about the
simple yard within which stood the
humble house forever after to be point
ed out as the scene Of Sutherland
towns most heartrending tragedy. In
this fence was gate, and through this
gate now passed Mr.. Sutherland and
his would be companion, Miss Page
A path bordered by lilac bushes led the
way to the house, the door Of which
stood wide open. AS soon as Mr.
Sutherland entered upon this path q
man appeared from the house and
came directly toward him. 1t was
Amos Fenton. the constable.
"Ah. Mr.. Sutherland" said he, "sad
business, a very sad business! But
what little girl have you there"
"This Is Miss Page. my housekeepers
niece. She would come. Inquisitive,
ness. the cause. l do not approve OF
it."
"Miss Page must remain on the door
step. We allow no one inside except
ing yourself" be said respectfully, In
recognition of the fact that nothing OF
importance was ever undertaken In
Sutherlandtown without the presence
Of Mr.. Sutherland
Miss Page courtesied. looking 60 be-
witching in the fresh morning light
that the tough old constable scratched
his chin In grudging admiration. But
he did not reconsider his determination
Seeing this. she accepted her defea,
gracefully and moved aside to where
the bushes offered her more or less pro
lection from the curiosity Of those
about her Meanwhile Mr.. Sutherland
had stepped into the house.
He found himself in small hall
with q staircase in front and an open
door at the left. On the threshold OF
this open door a man stood. who a,
sight Of him doffed his hat Passing
by this man. Mr.. Sutherland entered
the room beyond. A table spread with
eatables met his view. beside which. ir
an attitude which struck him at the
moment as peculiar, sat Philemon
Webb. the we'll known master Of the
house.
Astonished at seeing his old friend II
this room and in such a position. he
was about to address him when Mr.
Fenton stopped him.
wait" said he. Take a look al
Door Philemon before you disturb him
He was sitting just as you see hin
when we broke into the house hall
hour ago, and we have let him be for
reasons you can easily appreciate. Ex'
anime him closely. Mr.. Sutherland; he
won't notice it.
"But what ails him? Why does he
sit crouchei against the table? Is he
hurt, too?
mo: look at his eyes"
Mr.. Sutherland stopped and pushed
aside the long gray locks that half con
cealed the countenance or his ageC
| friend.
"Why," he cried startled, they are
closed. He isn't dead?'
mo; he is asleep
"Asleep?"
eyes. He was asleep when we came
in and he is asleep yet. Some Of the
neichbors wanted to awake him. but
would not let them. His wits are MOI
strong enough to bear sudden shock