Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-27


materials as were at hand, was depos-
tied near the table. A solemn silence
prevailed, which no less consisted with
the gloom of the occasion than with
the late hour Of the night.
When the newly arrived party had
dismounted and entered the apart
ment, short salutation, in suppressed
tones, was exchanged, and without
further delay, the whole company set
themselves to the melancholy duty
THAT was before them. David Ramsay
approached the body, and, turning the
sheet down from the face, stood gazing
on the features Of his son. There was
a settled frown upon his brow that
contrasted signally with the composed
and tranquil lineaments Of the deceas-
ed. The father and son presented a
strange and remarkable type of life
land death-the countenance Of the
mourner stamped by the agitation of
keen, living emotion, and the object
mourned bearing the impress Of Sc
rene, placid and passionless repose-
the one a vivid picture Of misery. the
other a quiet image Of happy sleep.
David Ramsay bent his looks upon the
body for some minutes, without an en-
deavor to speak, and at last retreated
towards the door, striking his hand
upon his forehead as he breathed out
the ejaculation, my son, my son,
how willingly would l change places
with you this night"
| Allen Musgrove was less agitated by
the spectacle, and whilst he surveyed
the features Of the deceased, his lips
were moved with the utterance Of a
short and almost inaudible prayer.
Then turning to Drummond, he inquir-
ed: Has the grave been thought Of?
Who has attended to the prepara-
tions?"
1T has been thought Of" replied the
woodman; Il sent two Of my people
off to dig it before I went with Major
Butler to see David. We have a
graveyard across in the woods. nigh
mile from this, and thought it best
that John Ramsay should be buried
there"
1T was kindly thought on by you.
Gabriel" replied Musgrove. "You have
your father and others Of your family
In that spot. David Ramsay will thank
you for It,"
81 do, heartily" said Ramsay, "and
will remember It, Gabriel, at another
time"
Let the body be lifted into the cof-
fn," said Musgrove.
The order was promptly executed by
Harry Winter and the other troopers
In a few minutes afterwards, the
rough boards which had been provided
TO close up the box or coffin were laid
IN their appropriate places, and Winter
had just begun to hammer the nails
into them, when from the outside of
the cabin was heard wild and pierre
ing scream, that fell so suddenly upon
the ears of those within as to cause the
trooper to drop the hammer from his
hand. In one moment more, Mary
Musgrove rushed into the room and
fell PROSTATE upon the floor. She was
Instantly followed by Andrew. Gee.
God of heaven!" exclaimed Butler
here is misery upon misery This
poor girls brain is crazed by her mis-
fortune. This is worst of ALL"
MARY, Mary. my child" calculated
Musgrove, as he raised his daughter
into his arms What madness has
come upon you, that you Should have
wandered here tonight"
How has this happened, Andrew"
said David Ramsay all speaking in the
same breath.
when Mary heard" replied Andrew,
in answer to his fathers question,
that you had all come to Gabriel
| Drummonds to bury my brother, she
couldn't rest content; and she prayed
so pitifully to come after you. and see
him before they put him in the ground,
that l thought it right to tell her that
| would come with her. And If
hadn't she would have come by her
self; for she had got upon her horse
before any Of us were aware"
II couldn't stay at home, father"
said Mary, reviving and speaking in a
| firm voice. 81 should have died with
broken heart. 1 couldn't let you
come to put him in the earth without
| following after you. Where Is he? /
heard them mailing the coffin; 1t must
be broken open for me to see him!"
These words. uttered with bitter
vehemence, were followed by quick
movements towards the coffin. which
was yet unclosed; and the maiden,
with more composure than her pre-
vious gestures seemed to render 1t
before the body with a look Of intense
sorrow, as the tears fell fast from her
eyes.
1T is true-it is too true-he is
dead! Oh John, John!" she exclaimed.
as she stopped down and kissed the
cold lips, II did not dream Of this
when we parted last night near the
willows You did not look as you do
now. when l found you asleep under
the rock, and when you promised me,
John. that you would be careful and
keep yourself from danger, If 1t was
only to please me. We We're doing our
best for you then, Major Butler-and
here is what it has come to. No longer
than last night he made me the prom
Use. Oh me, oh me! how wretched-
how miserable l ami"
Daughter. dear" said Allen Mus
grove. rise up and behave like brave
girl as. you know, l have often told
you you We're. We are born to affiic-
tionS. and young as you are. you cam
not hope to be free from the common
lot. You do yourself harm by this
ungovcrncd grief. There's a good and
Il kind girl-sit yourself down and
calm your feelings"
| MusgrOve took his daughter by the
hand and gently conducted her to a
seat, where he continued to address
her in soothing language, secretly
afraid that the agony of her feelings
,iSfn .tiif1 n