Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-07-23
CHAPTER Xxx.
Two In One.

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thy to scenes.
Let me lock the door, Jim," quav-
cred Aunt Deb. "Esther's in trouble;
somebody may step in unawares. You
see We were expecting something un-
pleasant when you appeared
Trouble what kind Of trouble?'
cried the newcomer.
"Jim's a gentleman!" had always
been Aunt Deb's favorite boast con-
cerning her brother-in-law. 1t did moi
seem a vain one. He was somewhat
brown and weatherbeaten, as west
ern miner should be, but extremely
good looking and extremely well-dress-
ed. He had a quiet, courteous manner
and a well-bred-yes, distingue air. A
hawk-like keenness in his face added
to its attractiveness. Plainly, Es-
theirs father was no ordinary indi-
vidual.
You must tell him the story, Es-
ther," groaned Aunt Deb; Il can't
What with this girls troubles, and
such sudden comings and goings. I'm
all struck up in heap" and she drop
ped helplessly into a chair. You
might have written, Jim, for us to eX-
pect you"
And so did," he answered, sharp
ly. in my last letter to Esther
told you 1 was coming"
The girl by this time had recovered
her self-control She stood up, tall,
white, rigid, before this stranger-fath-
er, and said:
"One day, when 1 was in great dis
tress-you won't understand how
could do it, but 1 destroyed your let
ter, unread. That is why you took US
by surprise just now"
He turned her to the light and look
ed at her long and critically. She bore
the inspection without fiinching.
You are a handsome girl" he said
at last; 81 am not ashamed Of you
You do me credit. Have l been good
father to you, while 1 was west and
YOU east? Have you had all you need
ed in the way Of fine clothes, and
trinkets, and education? Have you
lacked anything"
II have had everything-I have
lacked nothing" she answered, in a
dreary, joyless way.
You do not look in the least as
expected to see you," keeping his
hawk eyes fastened in amaze upon
her. You are far handsomer than your
mother ever was. though she passed
for a pretty girl in Cinderville, twen-
ty years ago. And you have been
happy with the old folks-your grand
father and Concordia, l mean?
YES" she answered, mechanically.
Now make a clean breast Of it!'
he commanded. 81 am waiting-tell
me everything"
She told her story with dry, burn
ing eyes and colorless lips. He heard
how Guy Fleetwood had come to Gin
derville searching for a woman called
Concordia Tempest-of the wooing al
Porgy Rock, the flight and the mar
riage-of the scene on the beach, where
the bride had flung her ornaments in
to the sea-of F1eetwood's desertion OF
her and the vengeance she had wreak-
ed upon him: and, lastly, Of how she
had been hiding from justice for two
terrible weeks.
He did not move or speak through
out the narrative. He sat with chin
dropped forward, and eyes fixed on the
floor. Whether or no he was affected
ny his daughters wrongs and crime
neither of the others could tell.
Il killed him, father!" gasped Es-
ther, tragically. 81 saw him fall, COW
cred with blood. on the floor Of that
room. l killed him."
He started as though coming out OF
sleep.
Let me see," he unused; Guy Fleet
wood young Canadian-seems to me
that name has a familiar ring! He
tells you himself that he was visiting
in Colorado not many months ago
hum! He returns from that region
with a burning curiosity to find a cer-
tain Concordia Tempest. He falls ir
love with you and coaxes you into ar
elopement: and then the ring and the
trinkets l sent you turn his hear
from you, Ell? The ring! Yes. l SEE
the connection with tolerable clearness
By my soul! Things happen oddly IL
this world There are so many event:
that the wisest of men cannot fore
see!" He laughed, but his eyes flash
ed fire. Esther, acknowledge you a:
my very own! my seal, so to speak, /:
upon you! You have acted grandly
you have done the right thing in th'
right place This curious seeker aftel
women with strange names: this fas'
tidious husband, who will not allow hi:
wife to wear her fathers gifts; thi:
fine gentleman who can cast off {
bride one week and WOO another the
next-my dear, he deserved all that III
got 1t is a clear case of righteou!
retribution. l should have killed hin
II you had not. You spared me the
task, that is ALL"
By some strange revulsion of feeling
known only to a woman's heart. Es
ther shuddered away from her father.
Don't say that" she sobbed. will
the inconsistency Of her sex. Il would
give my own life to bring his back.
shall deliver myself up to the proper
authorities. / am a murderess-t
wicked, desperate murderess-let then
hang me as such. love him, and
killed him! Smite me, curse me, dis
own me, father, but do not praise m'
for what l have done"
Heaven above!" cried Aunt Deb, il
terror: don't let her be hung. Jim
She was mad with jealousy-sh
wasn't responsible. You'll save you
own child, won't you?"
Has there been much hue and or!
after herr" he asked, gloomily.
None that 1 know of. She hid IL
Canada two weeks, as she just toll
you Nobody followed he- there, sh
says. or spoke of the murder in he
hearing"
"Didn't the affair get into the news