Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-01-03

J.
was upon him.
John Gordon stopped talking, and the
tears rolled down his cheeks. David
Barton was the dearest friend he had.
The two were ten; years apart In age,
but from the time when they frst met
they had been instantly drawn to
gether and had begun to lore each
other. y -, S:s5E.,s:.,
1t was after II O'Clock, and yet Cor
don hesitated to 60 to bed He almost
feared that Barton would never wake
up, the pallor of his face. the attitude
of the body. were SO suggestive OF the
great change. -
He was still sitting there, his cheeks
still wet with the tears that he did not
try to repress, when Williams came in
softly on tiptoe.
There's queer old lady outside,
Mr.. Gordon, says she wants to see Mr.
Barton. II 1t ain't too late. She's a
mighty queer looking specimen. She
won't go away. and l thought maybe
you'd go and see her"
Barton is asleep now. He can't be
wakened. Ask the lady to come into
the hall"
Gordon went opt drawing the cur.
tains between the first room and the
wide hallway. andsmet in the hall the
visitor, who was promptly ushered In
by Williams
She was dressed ina remarkably old
fashioned style that struck John Cor
don as exceedingly interesting rather
than grotesque. She was very old, at
least ninety. but straight and vigor.
GUS. Her keen blue eyes looked search.
lngly at John Gordon, and she spoke
In sharp but remarkably clear voice.
$""Are you Mr.. BartonT
mo. madam. | am his friend, Mr..
Gordon. Mr. Barton Ia asleep and
not well. What can i do for your
win you be seatedT
"In a moment, SIR" She placed up.
on the floor a faded old carpetbag.
took handkerchief out of her pocket,
carefully busted one Of the hall
seats and then sat down. As she
took out the handkerchief a. delicate
aroma was waited. to John Gordon.
1t reminded him Of the fragrance
he remembered once while visiting the
East India Marine museum at Salem,
Mass, when the attendant opened an
old sea chest. lined with cedar and
packed with silk shawls.
John Gordon was now thoroughly
awake. The sharp eyes looked at him
kindly.
II am exceedingly sorry to hear that
Mr.. Barton is Ill. l very much wished
to see him. First must be pardoned
for calling at this unreasonable hour.
But ] had the address and saw the
light and knew that newspaper men
kept queer hours. have called at
the Office Of the paper and was told
Mr.. Barton was at his apartments. I
must 60 on my journey tonight
John Gordon had not the remotest
inkling as to the old lady's errand. She
was evidently person Of great refine
ment and culture.
"How much Of friend are you to
Mr.. BartonT
The question was 80 direct and frank
that Gordon smiled.
81 am his dearest friend"
""Man or womanr the old lady asked,
with a twinkle Of the eyes that made
John Gordon smile again.
MY friend has never had any love
affair. He Is confirmed bachelor"
"Ah. don't deceive yourself, young
man. / am old enough to be your
grandmother, your great-grandmother
almost, and have seen great deal OF
the world. But, pardon me; I must tell
you what came for"
She put her hand into a little bag
that hung from silk cord tied about
her wrist. AS she opened the bag the
same delicate aroma penetrated the
hall again.
She handed card to Gordon. he
took it and read:
Mrs. Captain George Efingham. Sa.
lem."
"WellY' Gordon said.
81 am Captain E61ngham's widow.
My great-grandson was born on the
day Captain Efingham died. His name
was Clark Enngham. He ran away to
sea when he Tas sixteen. Since then
I have hearf nothing of him until q
week ago l had a letter from him
dated Colorado Springs. He was con.
sumptive, but is getting better. am
on my way to see him."
She paused. and John Gordon, still In
the dark as to the object of her call on
Barton, said:
"Wellr'
"You said you were Mr.. Barton's
nearest friend? How much Of his real
life do you know?"
Gordon was thoroughly surprised
For the first time he looked suspicious
ly and even doubtfully at the old lady.
II know him well. There Is not 8
kinder, purer, truer soul In this city
than David Barton"
II believe you," the old lady nodded
vigorously. "But I know more about
him than you do. Listen! One night
six months ago young man, penniless
homeless, alone in this great city. was
walking its streets In cold, penetrat.
ing rain. An east wind blew of the
water. The young man was proud. He
would not write his relatives for help.
He was afraid to let his aristocratc
grandmother know that he had drifted