Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-01-12
CHAPTER XIII.
A CHANGELING,

bells conduct under this final examina-
ton. Frederick, who had evidently
some request to make or direction to
give, had sent a written line to the
coroner, who, on reading 1t, had passed
It over to Knapp, who few minutes
later was to be seen in conference with
Agnes Halliday. AS result the latter
rose and left the room, followed by the
detective. She was gone half hour.
Then, simultaneously with her reap
pearance, Sweetwater saw Knapp hand
a bundle Of letters to the coroner, who,
upon opening them, chose out several
which he proceeded to read to the jury.
They were the letters referred to by
Frederick as having been given to him
by his mother. The first was dated
35 years previously and was In the
handwriting Of Agatha herself. 1t was
directed to James label and was read
amid profound hush:
| DEAR JAMEs-I know l have tenn
per, q wicked temper, and now you
know it too. When it is aroused, for
get love, gratitude and everything else
that should restrain me and utter
words am astonished at myself. But
| I do not get aroused often, and when
all is over I am not averse to apologize
ing or even to begging forgiveness. My
father says my temper will undo me,
but I am much more afraid Of my
heart than 1 am Of my temper. For
instance, here I am writing to you
again, just because raised my riding
whip and said-but you know what /
said, and am not fond of recalling
that moment, for cannot do so with
out seeing your look Of surprise and
contrasting it with that Of Philemon's.
Yours had judgment In 1t, while Phile-
mons held only indulgence, yet liked
yours best or should have liked 1t best
If it were not for the insufferable pride
which is a part Of my being. Temper
| such as mine ought to surprise you.
Yet would l be Agatha Gilchrist with
out it? l very much fear not, and, not
being Agatha Gilchrist, should I have
your love? Again l fear not. James,
forgive me! When l am happier, when
l know my own heart, l will have less
provocation. Then If that heart turns
your way you will find a great and
bountiful serenity where now there are
lowering skies and thunderous tenn
pests. Philemon said last night that he
would be content to khave my fierce
word O. mornings II only l would give
him one drop out Of the honey Of my
better nature when the sun went down
and twilight brought reflection and
love. But did not like him any the
better for saying this. You would not
halve the day so. The cup must hold
no bitter that would give you true re-
freshment. Will it not, then, have to
be proffered by other hands than those
of AGATHA?
Mr.. Philemon Webb:
RESPECTED SIR-You are persistent. !
am willing to tell you. though shall
never confide so much In another, that
it will take a stronger nature than
yours and one that loves me less to
hold me faithfully and make me the
happy, devoted wife which must be II
would not be demon. I cannot, /
dare not, marry where am not held in
a passionate, self forgetful subsection.
I am too proud, am too sensitive to
wrong, | am too little mistress Of my
self when angry or aroused. If, like
some strong women, loved what was
weaker than myself and could be con-
trolled by goodness and unlimited kind
ness, might venture to risk living at
the side Of the most indulgent and up
right man that know, but am not Of
that kind. Strength only can command
my admiration or subdue my pride.
must fear where | love and own him
for husband who has first shown him
self my master. So do not fret any
more for me. for you. least Of all the
men | know, will never claim my obe-
dience or command my love. Not that
will not yield my heart to you, but
that cannot, and. knowing that can
not, feel it honest to say so before any
more of your fine manhood Is wasted.
Go your way. then. Philemon. and leave
me to the rougher paths my feet were
made to tread. like you now and feel
something like a tender regard for
your goodness, but If you persist In q
courtship which only my father is In
clined to smile upon you will call up an
antagonism that can lead to nothing
but evil for the serpent that lies coll
ed in my breast has deadly fangs. and
1t Is to be feared. as you should know,
who have more than once seen me an
CRY.
Do not blame John nor James label
nor Frederick Snow nor even Samuel
Barton for this. 1t would be the same
If none of these men existed. l was
not made to triumph over q kindly
nature. but to subdue the haughtiest
heart in all this country to the gentle
but firm hand of my hearts master.
Do you want to know who that master
is? cannot tell you. for have not
yet named him to myself.
DEAR james, am going away. l
am going to leave Porchester for sew
eral months. | am going to see the
world did not tell you this last night
for fear of weakening under your en-.
treates-or should say commands?
Lately ! have felt myself weakening
more than once. and | want to know
what it means. Absence will teach me.
absence and the sight Of new faces.
Do you quarrel with this necessity? Do
you think | should know my mind
without any such test? Alas. James. 1t
is not simple mind. and 1t battles me
at times. Let us then give it a chance
If the glow and glamour Of elegant city