Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-11-17
CHAPTER III.
A MENTAL WRECK.

As they re-entered the larger room
they were astonished to come upon
Miss Page standing in the doorway.
She was gazing at the recumbent figure
Of the dead woman. and for moment
seemed unconscious Of their presence.
"How did you get in? Which Of my
men were weak enough to let you pass
against my express instructions?
asked the constable. who was OF an
irritable and suspicious nature.
She let the hood drop from her head
and. turning. surveyed him with a slow
smile. There was witchery in that
smile sufficient to affect much more
cultivated and callous nature than his,
and though he had been proof against
1t once he could not quite resist the
effect of Its repetition
81 insisted upon entering" said she.
do not blame the men. They did not
want to use force against a woman"
She had not a good voice and she knew
it, but she covered up this defect by a
choice Of intonations that carried her
Hghtest speech to the heart. Hard
visaged Amos Fenton gave a grunt,
which was as near an expression of
approval as he ever gave to any one.
"WelL well!" he growled. but not Ill
naturedly. Its a morbid curiosity
that brings you here. Better drop 1t,
girl 1t won't do you any good In the
eyes Of sensible people"
THANK you." was her demure reply,
her lips dimpling at the corners in a
way to shock the sensitive Mr.. Suther-
land.
Glancing from her to the still out
lines Of the noble fgure on the couch,
he remarked with an air Of mild re-
proof:
IL do not understand you. Miss Page.
II this solemn sight has no power to
stop your coquetries nothing can. AS
for your curiosity, 1t is both Ill timed
and unwomanly. Let me see you leave
this house at once. Miss Page, and If
In the few hours which must elapse
before breakfast you can find time to
pack your trunks. you will still further
oblige me-"
"Oh. don't send me away. | entreat
you
1t was a cry from her inner heart,
which she probably regretted. for she
instantly sought to cover up the anxi-
ETY. 1t showed by submissive bend Of
the head and step backward. Neither
Snfh nd nnA
to hear the one or see the other their
attention having returned to the more
serious matter In hand.
1.-THE dress which our poor friend
wears shows her to have been struck
before retiring" commented Mr. Suth-
erland. after another short survey Of
Mrs. Webb's figure If Philemon
Excuse me. sir" interrupted voice,
"but the young woman Is listening to
what you say. She is still in the hall"
It was the young man speaking, who
had been left In the hall.
.She Is, Is she" exclaimed Fenton
sharply, his admiration for the fascin-
ating stranger having oozed out at his
companions rebuff. II will soon show
her, But the words melted into thin
air as he reached the door. The young
girl had disappeared. and only faint
perfume remained in the place where
she had stood.
"A most extraordinary person" "
grumbled the constable. turning back,
but stopping again as faint murmur
came up from below.
1.-THE gentleman Is waking" called
up a voice whose lack Of music was
quite perceptible at distance.
With bound Mr.. Fenton descended
the stairs. followed by Mr.. Sutherland.
Miss Page stood before the door of
the room In which sat Philemon Webb.
As they reached her side she made q
little bow that was half mocking, half
deprecatory, and slipped from the
house. An almost unbearable senSa-
ton Of incongruity vanished with her,
and Mr.. Sutherland. for one, breathed
like man relieved.
81 wish the doctor would come
Fenton said, as they watched the slow
lifting of Philemon Webb's head. "Our
fastest rider has gone for him, but he's
out Porchester way. and it may be an
hour yet before he can get here"
"Philemon"
Mr.. Sutherland had advanced and
was standing by his old friends side.
.Philemon, what has become Of your
guests? You've waited for them here
till morning."
The old man with dazed look sur
veyed the two plates set on either sid'
Of him and shook his head.
flames and John are getting proud.
said he, "or they forget, they forget
James end John. He must mean the