Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-03-29


for I know he's got one, and he'll be
quick to. let you have It,"
See to it-see to 1t at once, Mr.
Humphries, 1 pray you. Let there De
no delay"
Humphries hurried off. The aunt
strove to change her resolve, but the
fearless girl was inf1exible.
Robert Singleton knows me, aunt
thank God! I know him. If I did not,
might listen to you now. knowing
him, freely confide my name, my
life, my honor to his keeping. I have
no fears-none But since he has
come-since I have heard his name,
and seen his messenger-1 have hopes
many hopes-good hopes-sweet
hopes. He will save my father-he
will try with all his SOUL and with all
his strength; and God must-God Will
prosper him!"
| Such was the strain with which she
rejected her aunts. entreaties, and per-
sisted in her determination. When
| Humphries reappeared with Pryor.
announcing his determination to de-
part, the old lady, finding she could
not change the resolution Of her niece
was for going along with her in the
coach: but Humphries resisted the
suggestion as impracticable.
I'VE can't run the old coach into the
| DuSn, IL Ill clleHly pups inlo thC iooot
ma'am; and it's q chance We may have
to do that before we get to the Cy-
press, even at this time Of night. The
fewer, the easier to hide: the smaller
the bundle, the less the. hole to cover
1t. 1t won't be an easy journey, ma
am, no how, I tell you"
The old lady was soon discouraged,
and consented, though with great re-
luctance, to the arrangement which
separated her from Katharine. The
latter was soon ready, and carefully
muffied up; she was conducted by
Humphries to the edge of the wood
| where his own horse had been con-
cealed. and to which spot Pryor had
promptly carried that intended for the
| maiden.
They rode with spirit, and soon
reached the swamp. Humphries care
fully chose path, which, IL more d.
| rect and more exposed to detection,
was at least, far more easily travelled
than that which he usually pursued.
He conducted her into safe conceal
ment along the little rising ridge Of
sand which Davis had previously
chosen for his proposed fight with
Hastings. Here he persuaded her. to
remain, until he should go to the camp
and conduct Singleton to her. She
did not hesitate to do so; the arrange
ment was more agreeable to her In
many. respects, as 1t spared her the
toilsome journey through the worst
portions Of the swamp, at the same
time that it promised her that privacy
in her interview with Singleton, which.
as we shall see, was absolutely neces-
sary to its progress.
In leaving her, Humphries saw no
impropriety. He knew not Of any
danger in the swamp to her; and she
was quite too much absorbed in the
thought Of her fathers danger, to think
for single instant on the subject OF
her own position. The spot, too, upon
which she stood had nothing terrific
in its aspect. The trees were few, and
not gloomy like those Of the swamp.
The stars shone down freely over the
bank, and the light was sweet, though
faint, as 1t fell glistening over the
white sands upon which she stood,
and was freely reflected from the, glaz-
ed green Of the leaves that hung cir
cling about her. Alighting from her
horse. her trusty companion fastened
him to hanging bough, and promis-
ing to return quickly, rode onward 10
the camp.
He had not been long gone. when
she heard the rustling Of the bushes
behind her. She turned towards the
spot, and beheld a gigantic figure
emerging from the copse. The intru-
der was the maniac Frampton. His
fierce habits, wild aspect, dismal
shrek, and soiled and tattered gar
ments, were enough to startle, not
timid maiden only, but bold spirited
man. Katharine might have been
alarmed more than she was, had he
appeared to her as he usually appear
ed to others. But a singular change
seemed to have come over him. His
step was irresolute-his manner
shrinking-his countenance full OF
awe. He continued, however, to ap-
proach; and, though really apprehen-
sive, the maiden firmly held her
ground, looked steadily upon him, and
he continued to advance, though
slowly and respectfully, she gave back
before him. He then addressed her In
strain which confounded and aston
ished her.
ely me not, sweet spirit-leave me
not in darkness-hear me-scorn not
nv Drayer-I kneel to you-I pray
YOU for pardon-have I not loved
have 1 not revenged you? You know
it-you feel it-you have seen it-fy
me not-I will do more-I swear it on
nv knees Look"
The maniac was PROSTATE before
her-his face prone in the dust-his
hands clasped above his head-his
tones, when he spoke, subdued, and
full Of humility She was more terri
fed at what she saw, as it was now
evident that she was alone with
madman.
In this way crouching towards her,
he continued to rave, addressing her
as an angel-as one departed-and re-
minding her, as his wife. Of the happi-
ness which they had known together
the love they had borne each other.
and which he prayed her still 70 cher
ish for him in heaven. Approaching
footsteps startled him just as he had
partly risen to his knees, and while he
was still imploring her after this FASH
ion. The noise brought to him mo-
mentary consciousness. He seemed, at
once. to realize his mistake; and, with
his fearful laugh, bounding away, he
was sheltered in, the neighboring bush
before Singleton and his comrade had
vet reached the spot where the latter
had left the maiden.
Humphries kept aloof, while Single
ton met his cousin. The scene was
short between them, but how full or
all that was sadly sweet-all that was
exciting to both! She rushed towards
him as soon as his person was dis
tinguished.
"Oh, Robert 1 have come to you
beggar-a woe -begone beggar. have
no hope but from you-no confidence
but in you. To you-to you only
bend my thought turn my eye-l
look for life-my life. my fathers life
all. Save him-save mel"
For this, Katharine, have l come.
If l can save your father, even though
at the hazard of my own life, / shall
do so. You have my pledge for this
Thanks, thanks, dear Robert! my
heart thanks you. But what Is your
hope, your plan?-Tell me all, that
may calculate on your chances. that
l may note their progress. that | may
pray! that may assist II assist / can,
in a work which calls for mentor
manhood only"
The question troubled Singleton.
What could he tell her? He himself
knew little as yet Of the true condition
of things in Dorchester. No time had
yet been allowed him to devise
scheme or take step in its execution
He told her this, and she heard him
with impatience.
But something, dear Robert, must
be done, and quickly. Do not be cold,
1 pray you-do not deliberate too long,