Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-15


man, Miss Walton before I became q
soldier. AS a lady, / cannot be your
enemy, whatever may be the wrong
which / may suffer at your hands"
The respectful, manly department OF
Major Proctor could not fail to exer-
else it's full force upon woman OF sc
much. character as Katharine Walton
She replied almost instantly. making
at once a dignified acknowledgment OF
the undue severity Of her speech, yet
insisting upon the provocation which
she had received.
Robert Singleton Is my relative, my
friend. Major Proctor-one whom
dearly love. You knew much Of this,
II not all. yet your epithets were un-
scrupulous and unqualified in connec-
tion with his name. 1 am Southron,
sir: one of q people not apt to suffer
wrong to their friends or kindred.
without resenting and resisting 1t; and
| though a woman, sir-a weak woman
| Il feel, sir. that have the will and
the spirit. though I may lack the skill
and the strength, to endeavor to do
both"
1T Is a spirit which honor, Miss
| Walton, and my speech to you, in ref
erence to your relative. my own sense
Of propriety has already taught me
was highly unbecoming. You will for
give me, II I rightly understand your
nature. Miss Walton. much more read q.
lily than l will forgive myself for the
error. Meanwhile. trust that you will
permit me to pursue this search, since
you have not assured me that Its OBJ
ject Is not here"
Il trust that Major Proctor, aware
Of my fathers absence. will leave us
unmolested until his return"
II cannot-I dare not, Miss Walton
my duty forbids It,"
Your duty gives you no command
here. Major Proctor, and your troops
must be withdrawn, though call upon
my fathers slaves with a view to their
expulsion"
will they obey you, Miss Walton?'
"Ay, sir. to the last? I have but
to say the words and they will rush
upon your bayonets."
II am wasting time, Miss Walton
permit me to pass onward"
And he advanced as he spoke. She
stood resolutely fiyed in the spot where
she had first encountered him, and he
saw that he would be compelled to
employ some gentle force to put her
aside. Annoyed and chagrined at the
idea Of any such necessity, he sought
by farther exhortation to gain his OBJ
ject, but she refused to hear him.
At length, as a last resort, he said
Miss Walton. I have no desire to
press this matter Give me your word
that the person 1 seek Is not here, and
I withdraw my men instantly"
Withdraw your men, sir-you keep
them here at your PERIL give no as
surances."
Finding his efforts unavailing, Proc
tor at once advanced, and, resolute to
put her aside and proceed In his
search, his hands were already extend
ed for that purpose, when, seeing his
object, she hastily drew back.
Touch me not, sir, II you please.
II you are resolute to intrude upon US,
you do so at your own risk"
And before he could pass she had
withdrawn herself from his presence,
and hastily assembled the staircase.
Placing a guard at the entrance, he
quickly followed her, and as he entered
the upper passageway he found her
standing firmly in front Of the door
leading to Emily's chamber.
Major Proctor" she said, solemnly,
this is the chamber Of sickness-soon
to be the chamber Of death! l charge
you not to approach It,"
Miss Walton, 1 will do my duty, II
you will allow me, with as much for
bearance as possible: but I must do
it,"
AT your peril. sir" and as he ap-
preached she presented one Of the
pistols of Singleton which she had
seized from a neighboring table. The
sight of it only impelled the soldier
in his forward progress.
Back, sir! l commando implore
you, I would not use this weapon II
I could avoid 1t: but l certainly shall
use it, If you dare to approach. Force
me not to do so. entreat you"
Il cannot hesitate-I cannot hear
you:" and with the words he resolute-
| ly advanced She thrust the weapon
forward fixed it's aim as nearly as pos
sible upon him. and with the single
| words
God forgive me, If l err in this"
resolutely drew the trigger.
In the next moment Proctor put her
aside with the utmost gentleness.
You are spared a crime, Miss Wal
ton. The spilling of blood Is not al
ways grateful to man; what should II
be to woman?"
He turned from her to the handle
Of the chamber door. and she was too
HluCll W ScCh w oihSSS 'A''''
| further. But as he entered the
apartment. he started back in horror.
| The picture that met his sight was too
unexpected-too imposing-too unlike
any thing he had ever looked upon or
seen. He had beheld the field of battle,
strewn with dead and wounded: but
the sublimer powers of DEATH in which
he effects his conquest without visible
| stroke or weapon, had never met his
eyes till now; and he gaZed with some
thing like stupefaction upon his fea-
lures. as the spectacle rose vividly be-
fore him.
There. rising from her couch, and
partially erect under the sudden con-
vulsion, as well Of physical pang as of
mental excitement. Emily Singleton
met the first glance Of the intruder
Her face was ghastly pale, but still
how beautiful. her eye was glazing
fast. but still how expressive! and the
look which she addressed to the intru-
der-a look which seemed to signify
| that she understood his purpose-was
that Of some angry ghost rising from
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