The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1902-04-04

We had passed through for
weeks, and the people who had been
busy about us, giving their help and
sympathy, were now gone off about
their own affairs and not like to take
further hand in the matter than to
gossip at their own homes OF it and
wonder at the mystery Of It ALL
l had not had extended speech with
the laird since he had sworn to solve
the mystery Of his iady's loss, now two
days gone, but was well aware that
he was not seeking rest or like to seek
1t, but was Just putting all the energy
or his being into some matter bearing
upon his trouble. He kept within his
own apartments during these days
more than usual, / thought. and that
was strange to me. but ! soon learned
the nature of his occupation.
had gon' to his room to seek ad-
vice upon some matters Of duty, and
when he opened the door to my knock
! saw scene of confusion. Every
press and cabinet, every shelf and
closet and corner had been ransacked
and searched again and again, and my
master stood among the confusion,
flushed and excited. with his hand to
his head and his fingers nervously
twltchlng In the tangled mass of his
hair. He: paused at my errand and an
swered my question with an impa-
tience that was far out Of the way of
his speech, and when turned to go
he cried to me in q sort of exultance
Of tone.
"Eh, Gillicuddy, and we could but
find the packet that was left it wad
hae story to tell"
Aye said 1. "but I'm thinking it
Gamma be found"
Nay, Gillicuddy, If it was left it
must be found. 1t Gamma be SO lost
and hidden as She"
"Butfa' places haze been searched" !"
said 1. -
Wed" he replied, "just gang yer
way aid leave me to gang over the
hunt again
l remember that when ! left him
standing IN his room / went away with
mlsgivmgs' Of dread, wondering what
the outcome Of all this wild unrest
would be- and it was with q sore heart
and mind distracted that went to
Led that night, with n prayer that I
offered on my knees to God that I'm his
gracious providence he would remem-
Der us all and give us strength to bear
the burdens laid upon U.s.
1t was after midnight when I awoke
and heard the solemn stroke of the
clock far down the stair in the great
nall. ! lay awake, and my thoughts
went back to my laird again. my
poor, poor master God pity you," I
said to myself, and just at that moment
there was my master standing beside
my bed, facing the window. and the
faint light OF the moon was shining
OH his wild and flushed face.
"Glllicnddy." said he ''arc We sleep
1ngT And his voice was hollow and
husky. and thought there was n tone
OF Jcering mockcry in It and sneering
touch of.mallgnity so unlike him.
] half ;frose from my bed and an
swered him. "No, Pm no. sleeping, and
IN the name O God what brings yc here
In the clouds o. the nicht %
He uttered sound like choking
sob, and then he bent down. with his
mouth close to my ear and whispered
huskily, "Gillicuddy, could ye max a
guess where she is the nfcht?"
"God only knows" said l.
AAnd he hasna been O. mind to
tell he said, and there was n wicked
sneer in his tone.
"Hoots, man, hoots"' answered. for
l was familiar with him I'm my talk.
I'VE shopldna say that"
He squared his body before me, look
Ing at me steadily, and after a pause
said:
"Gillieuddy. was l no. guild man to
herr
"Thatye aye were," answered. and
spoke:but the truth when I said it.
"Oh, %GiIlicpddy," said he, and this
time his voice was piteous and pathet-
1c, and d great sob shook his frame 81
loved that. woman She was a. there