Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-08-03
CHAPTER XIV.

and yet
Stranger meetings.
During the period referred to In the
last chapter, one evening as Colonel
Burr was about closing his office to re-
pair to his residence at Richmond
HILL he was aceosted by shabbily-
dressed man, who inquired II MS
name was Burr. Upon receiving an
Affirmative answer, he said that he had
called to see him on business of urgent
Importance, and asked permission to
close the door.
'T never attend to business at this
hour" replied Colonel Burr. 1T is the
time at which always return to my
family. You must call again tomor-
row."
'I may not be able to call tomorrow,
and my mission must be discharged
now"
At the same time he raised broad
slouched hat from his head, and exhio-
tied a strongly marked countenance,
rendered still more striking by deep
scar from the left eye to the right
cheek.
do you know me?" he asked. after
allowing Colonel Burr a short time TO
peruse his features.
Yours is not a face to be easily
forgotten" was the reply, "even II l
had less cause to remember 1t. Your
name is Jenkins; and 1t was at your
cabin in the Highlands, that 1 was
sheltered in times less peaceful than
these"
Your memory Is a good one-almost
as good as II you had some cause to
hate me, Do you reoollect also the
man who brought you there?"
Alexis Durand-my preserver? AS
suredly do"
"Ah! I see he knew you better than
did. I thought you were like the
world in general and in your prosper
Ity would forget, or scoFn to recognize
two poor Tories who had helped you at
a pinch. He said no. He was right
and was wrong"
Did he send you here?"
He did; and here is a token that he
said you would remember" replied
Jenkins, at the same time extending
the large seal ring which Colonel Burr
had presented to Durand when they
parted In l779. He is in trouble" con-
tinued Jenkins, and 1t Is on his bust-
ness that wish to talk with YOU"
"This must be attended to-" said
Burr, after assuring himself that the
ring was the same. "Sit down and
wait a minute"
Colonel Burr walked to the door and
soon returned with a messenger. to
whom he delivered hasty note to his
wife; then, locking the door, he said
briefly
Now, Mr.. Jenkins, what can I do
for Durand?"
He wants to see you himself"
"Then why did he not come with
you?"
Because he is locked up between
four stone walls, with a pair Of iron
bracelets on his wrists, and another on
his ankles
III pElSOH. rOI Midl.
For what he is as innocent Of as
you are. For murder"
For murder! How do you know he is
innocent, Jenkins? 1t was said, in
life at a cheap rate, and those who re-
member him then will believe the pres
ent charge on slender proof"
THAT is the worst Of it, sir No one
can deny that his hand is redder than
IL is prudent to talk about now, and
though he has been pardoned for that,
the men who are to try him may hang
him upon the old account, when he is
innocent of the new offense; for he is
innocent, sir; though you must learn
the rest from him. 1 can tell you no
more"
Let us go to him then. 1 must see
him at once"
Il am sorry to let you go alone, col
onel, but it is not safe for me to be
seen too often near the city prison.
risked it once today on Durand's ac-
count, but do not care to risk II
again. The fact is, am not on the
best terms with the officers of the law
and do not care to encounter them
unnecessarily"
81 understand; but / may need you
and 1 wish to know where you are to
be found"
That is uncertain. l will come to
,,o,r bouSa touorrow nipht at II
o'clock. If that will suit you; and II
you think then that you will have any
further business with me, will leave
an address which will enable you tc
find me at pleasure"
After a moments thought Burr re-
piled: THAT will do. Here" he con-
tinued, extending a handful of gold tc
Jenkins, take this and provide your
self with a better suit of clothes"
Jenkins took the money reluctantly
saying. Necessity, colonel, knows nc
law. 1 ought not to take this money
but cannot serve you as you will ex.
pect un! ,ss do; and besides, as Il
will be necessary for me to keep very
quiet for a time l may need it fol
bread"
Keep it, man, without scruple. The
shelter of your roof was once worth
more than a hundred times the sun
to me. l am still largely in your debt
When Jenkins departed. Colone
Burr locked his office and walked di
rectly to the city prison. 1t was pas
the usual hour for the admission o
visitors. but the jailer abated his rul'
in favor of practitioner of such vel
known eminence. and conducted hin
to the cell of Alexis Durand.
II am sorry to see you in thi
plight" said Burr taking the mena
cled hand of the prisoner. Il hope yo'
have done nothing to deserve it."
1T is very kind of you, colonel
replied Durand. inclosing the hand
his visitor in a grasp as hard as tn
iron which fettered his own. 1T /
very kind of you to come within thes