Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-09-04
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Rstribution.


tress's dressing room, arranging the
articles on the toilet table. Il like M
part Of it! Why must it come off three
DAYS sooner than was first arranged
as though to steal a march on some
one? What haste, and what secrecy
At dawn the ceremony, and before
other folks are fairly out of bed of
start these lovers to the ends Of the
world"
A heavy sleet was driving through
the street, and rapping on the window
like living fingers. Susan listened
moment, and then continued her ole
habit of muttering audibly the upper
most thought of her mind.
It's her arrangement. and they're
all so bewitched about her, they'd dc
anything she asked, and never inquire
the reason. could take my oath thai
there's some wickedness at the bottom
of all this: but it's hid from me. I've
tried hard. but can't find her out"
With a sigh she crossed the tiool
to an adjoining room and looked in.
Signs Of an immediate departure were
everywhere visible. Trunks stood
packed and strapped. On the bed lay
a travelling dress, side by side with
something white and daZzling-a mass
of satin and lace curling over upon it.
self in lustrous waves. With a grim
disapproving visage, Susan examined
the garment
II wonder what Miss Fassel did with
her gown" she mused. Burnt 1t
maybe. I would if I'd been in her
place Yes. this is a queer affair. II
my lady Mignon could have had her
way, she wouldn't have waited for this
dress-she'd have married her lover
without it, But lor'! Mrs. Ellicott
must have some sort Of preparation
though it be Of the headlong kind. Let
me see-no invitations, no guests, nc
bridesmaids-and only a few of the
servants in the secret, and they sworn
so to speak, to silence. Bless me! It
looks as though Mr.. Fassers bride
were doing something clean agin law
and order"
An event of great Importance was at
hand. This stormy winter night was
that which preceded Mignon's mar
riage. Early next morning she was to
go through the mockery Of ceremony
with Paget Fassel and fly, as she
fondly hoped, beyond the reach Of ret
ribution. The date of the event had
been hastened several days, partly by
letters received by Fassel from Nicara-
qua, partly by the girls own desperate
manoeuvring. Bess Hillyer might still
be in the city seeking her. She also
feared Nigel Hume. His fortnight of
promised silence lacked a few days to
completion Before it should expire
she was determined to be far away.
AS Susan Taylor stepped back into
the dressing-room a rap sounded on
the door. 1t was a housemaid from the
kitchen.
Cook says will you make haste
down." said the girl. There's a
strange man just come in by the rear
gate, and he's asking for Susan Tay-
lor."
"A strange man." Susan had no rel
ativeS, and certainly no followers. 81
hope it isn't a burglar with an eye on
the plate. Cook is a careless one
Susan went down with the maid. In
a passage near the kitchen door she
found her visitor waiting. He was
mufled to the eyes, and the sleet glis-
tened on his garments. Susan noticed
that he sought to shelter himself from
observation, and instantly concluded
that here was a tramp or housebreak-
er. who. through the carelessness OF
the kitchen queen, had entered the
place with nefarious intentions. She
stalked fearlessly up to him.
We'll. sir, who are yOu?' she said;
and what do you want with Susar
Taylor?"
The man emerged from the shadow
of the door and cast off his muftier.
Are your nerves as stout as they
used to be, Susan" he asked. Hush
You were never of the shrieking kind
you know. Don't alarm the other ser
wants. l want to talk to you alone
Where is my mother?"
In her soul Susan believed that sh'
was face TO face with a dead man-On'
who had lain for years in the famil!
tomb at Mount Auburn. She did no
scream or faint, but her lean face wa!
blue with terror, and her tongue clOv'
to the roof Of her mouth.
What" he continued, cOolly; "yo,
are frightened? Touch me-" holding
out his hand. This is genuine fiesl
and blood, is it not? l am alive, no
dead. Where is my mother, l say?'
Susan's knees were knocking togeth
er, but in sheer desperation she tool
the extended hand-looked breathlessl.
into his face.
Lord have mercy! Lepel Ellicott!
The same, Susan! This is m!
mothers dinner hour. Shall I find ne
above stairs"
Yes. The Fassels are dining witt
ntT, anu TIE gin LilStN Sllt NSlil' -'i Is
non. For Gods sake, don't go up yet!
as he started to ascend the stair
shes feeble and old She buried wha
was left Of you more than three year
ago-the sight of you. now living ant
breathing will kill her. Graciou
goodness" grasping the truth wit
strong good sense: then it wasn't you
body. after all. that was found?'
Certainly not-since you see it her
before you"
Your mother laid q stranger in tn
Mount Auburn vault, believing him t
be you? He was all burnt and distig
ured. but the things found upon hin
were Lepel Ellicott's."
Il transferred my valuables to hi
person. as he lay dead. My good Su
san. I must take myself out of tn
way of the servants. If my mother
at table, her library is probably emp
ty"
Yes. sir" said Susan, wonderinglN
But how can believe my own senses
Have you really come back TO us fror