Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-08-23
Copyright, 1901, by Sir Walter Besant.

ing at the horses heads. She would
have to make her stand at once, there
fore. To get into the post chaise witt
that man would be dangerous, ever
though she was as strong as himself
and, since she was not q drinker OF
wine, she was In better condition.
81 looked round at the house." she
told me afterward. 81 thought that II
could get into the house might gain
some time-perhaps could bar the
door, perhaps l could find that griddle
or the frying pan Of which I spoke
Or If it came to using the bOdkin there
would be more room for my arm In g
house than In chair or a chaise. SO
had one more parley in order to gair
time and then slipped out"
"Sir," she said. 81 give you one more
chance of retaining the name and rep
utation of gentleman. Carry me back
or else await the vengeance Of my
friends. l warn you solemnly that
murder will be done before l marry
you; understand, sir, murder Of you
or of your confederates or OF myself"
She spoke with so much calmness
and with so much resolution that she
aroused all his native obstinacy. Be
sides It was now too late. The news OF
the abduction would be all over Lynn
he must carry the thing through. He
swore another loud and blasphemous
oath. Heavens! How he was punish
ed! How swiftly and speedily!
Molly stepped out Of the chair. Tom
Rising. his hat in hand. again bowed
low. Madam" he said, "you are well
advised. Pray let me hand you into
the chaise."
She made no reply. but, rushing past
him. darted into the house. She STUN
bled down one step and found herself
in q room where the twilight outside
could not penetrate. 1t was quite
dark. She closed the door behind her
and bolted it. finding a bolt In the
usual place.
Then she waited a moment, thinking
what she could do next. A rustling
and a footstep showed that she was
not alone.
who Is thereT she cried. 'Is there
no lightT"
She heard the striking Of flint and
steel; she saw the sputtering yellow
light of a match. and by its Pickering
she discerued an old woman trying to
light a candle "a rushlight in a tin
frame. with holes at the sides.
Molly looked quietly round the room
A knife lay on the table. She took II
up. 1t was one Of the rough clasp
knives used by rustics when they eat
their dinners under the hedge. She
stepped forward and took the light
from the old woman's hand.
"Quickw she said. "Who Is in the
houseY'
"No one except myself. He said the
house was to be KEEP clear tonight"
"Can they get in?'
"They can kick the house down II
they like; it's so old and crazy"
"Is there an upper room"
The old woman pointed to the faI
corner. Molly now perceived that the
place was the kitchen. the taproom, the
sitting room and all. A table was In
the middle; 6 settle was standing be-
side the empty fireplace; there was Q
bench or two; mugs and cups Of wood
pewter and common ware stood on the
mantelshelf; side of bacon hung ir
the chimney. In the corner to which
the old woman pointed was ladder
Molly ran across the room. At the tor
Of the ladder there was square open
ing large enough for her passage. She
went up and found herself by the din
rushlight in an upper chamber the flool
Of which was covered with flock beds
laid on the boards. There was ont
small frame Of glass In the roof, win
dow which was not made to open. Tht
place reeked with foul air worse thar
the orlop deck or the hold after voy
age.
Down below she heard her captol
kicking at the door. Apparently thu
old woman drew back the bolt, for ht
came In noisily and swearing horribly
Apparently the old woman pointed t
the ladder. or perhaps the glimmel
from the room above guided him. HI
came to the ladder and tried persua
sion.
"Molly. my DEAR" he cried. "com'
down. come down! I won't harm you
Upon my honor will not. I want onl!
to put you into the chaise and carr!
you Off to be married. Molly. you ar
the loveliest girl In the county. Molly
say. there Is nobody can hold can
die to you. Molly. will make you a.
happy as the day Is long. Molly. low
you ten times as we'll as that prout
lord. He will not marry you. Their
isn't man in all the company I vii
not fight for your sake. Don't think
will let any other man have you. Con
found it. Molly, why don't you an
swer?"
For now she kept silence. The NOR
he parleyed the more time she gained
But she found one or two loose board
that had been used for laying In tres
ties for the support Of the flock beds
She laid them across the trapdoor
There was. however, nothing to keel
them down.
Then Tom Rising began to swear a
the old woman.
"You fool! You blundering. silly. jer
nv ass Of fool! What the devil d.
you give her the candle forT
81 didn't give it. She took It."