Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-01-31

~ YORK
again and again, blank and pale will
disappointment. Clearly he had for
gotten his new prospects, his new
name even. When eight o'clock struck
he snatched up his hat again.
Il am going to the police station" he
said, hoarsely.
cried Mr.. Finch, with great cheerful
ness; II wish to send cable dis
patch to Sir Godfrey, at Deepmoor. He
must be told at once that his nephew
Is found, and that we may be expected
to appear before him shortly In Lin
colnshire."
The two departed together. Alone in
her shabby sitting-room, Aunt Affry
sat down to await their return, and to
think over the events Of this extraor-
dinary day. Mercy's disappearance
perplexed and amazed her greatly.
God forbid that any evil should
self with a shiver of dread, Il am very
fond Of Mercy. though I don't want
Val to marry her-though it's against
all sense and reason that he should
marry her now. But I will be q good
friend to her; she shall never suffer
want again-never! I will send her to
school-Val will let me, know will
| At her for teacher or something. She
shall never again sew for living?
Where Is she-where can she be? Why
did she go away at such a time, and
her? Oh, dear! oh. dear! know that
something is wrong; feel 1t In the
very marrow Of my bones!"
Something was wrong, for Val
searched till the night was past, and
throughout the length and breadth Of
the great city. No tidings could he
anywhere CLEAN Of Mercy Dill.
In the gray, foggy morning the dis
| tracted lover, still attended by Mr..
Finch, stalked into the sitting-room at
Seedy Court, where Miss Affry was
keeping sleepless vigil, and, haggard,
breathless, exhausted flung himself
scarcely a look Of easy-going Val
Black left in his pale face.
She's not here?" he said, hoarsely,
glancing around the room. why do
ask that-I know she's not; but I've
heard Of her"
"How-what?" gasped Miss Airy, in
wild alarm.
Val thrust his hands into his pock-
cts, and dropped his head upon his
breast-the picture Of gloom and de-
spair. ...
II went first to the station houses" !"
he said, then to the Aid Society folks,
and the preacher at the Mission and
not a soul could give me the smallest
doesn't often open and swallow a per-
son bodily; and so 1t occurred to Mr..
Finch that somebody right here-some
body In Seedy Court might know Of her
disappearance. We came back to our
starting point, and knocked at every
door, rousing people and making in
quiries, and at No. 8. we found wo-
man who gave us a clue"
The words began to stick in his
throat, and Mr.. Finch, who looked NOR
tally tired and disgusted, made no at
tempt to help him with the narrative.
Speak, Val!-what is it?" urged
Miss Affry.
It's cursed mystery-that's what
It Isl" cried Val with a red, wrathful,
gleam in his hazel eyes. According to
the woman, close carriage drove into
the court about three o'clock yesterday
and stopped at this door. She was sit
ting at her window, and saw 1t all. A
man leaped from the seat and rang the
bell, and Mercy answered-of course
she did for she was the only person
in the house. The two spoke together
and then-my God! what does 1t mean,
Aunt Affry? Can you, will you, try to
understand it?-Mercy came out with
hat and shawl on, entered the carriage
and rode away" -
Miss Airy grew as stiff as ramrod.
who was the MANI" -r'a
II would give my right hand to
know!"
where's Moll Dill? 1t is some trick
Of hers, perhaps. She's spirited the
Mr. Finch smiled. 1t was scarcely
probable that Moll would come to
Seedy Court in close carriage to abb
duct her daughter by broad daylight.
The gloom on Vaps face deepened.
We've seen Moll Dill" he answered
I'VE got her address from the Mission
preacher, and rode out into the country
six miles or more, to the farm where
she's at work. We called her up from
bed, and told her Of Mercy's fitting.
She was as cross as two sticks-sullen,
and not inclined to answer our ques-
tions or hold any conversation with us.
teri am sure of that; the close car
riage affair amazed her quite as much
as 1t does YOU"
The next moment he leaped up and
began to walk the floor in great agita-
tion.
MY God! what does it mean?" he
groaned. MY head Is in a whirl-I
don't think quite comprehend any
thing! Why should she go away with
a stranger few hours before our ap-
pointed marriage, and why didn't she
leave some word or line for me? It's
beyond belief! I have put the detec-
/ 20 thax, fx,tl1 nt,f 10
truth of the matter before long,"
| Mr.. Finch wiped his manly brow, and
took a pinch Of snuff from silver
snuff box. Viewed from his standpoint
Mercy's mysterious disappearance was
a most opportune and fortunate thing.
| I'VE have had an exhausting night
Of it." he remarked. Indeed, this is a
most unhappy business, Mr.. Arbuckle,
especially as 1t diverts your attention
from the important matters of which 1t
Is my duty to remind you. telegraph
ed to Sir Godfrey last evening that we
should sail at once for England. He
will expect to see us in Lincolnshire at
the earliest possible moment. Every
day, every hour Of unnecessary delay
will seem an eternity to the man who
is waiting-dying, kinless and alone
at Deepmoor."
Val lifted his haggard eyes.
When have found Mercy. / will be
ready to go with you," he answered,
mot until then"
Suppose you do not find herr" said
Mr.. Finch, dryly. 1T Is barely possible
that she may not wish to be found"
What do you mean?" demanded
Val, fiercely.
Mr.. Finch took a second pinch of
snuff.
The wan, dubious dawn slanted into
the room, and fell over the faces Of the
three, haggard and worn, every one
with WEAKNESS or anxiety.
MY dear sir, sit down again, beg
you," said Mr.. Finch, you look quite
used up. It is plain, is it not, that
Miss Dill has left the city? Now. did
she go willingly or unwillingly, alone
or with company? You say that she
is very beautiful. Possibly you are not
her only admirer."
Walls countenance changed. Upon
his mental vision, a swarthy, pock.
marked face flashed suddenly-a lean.
alert, glittering- eyed FACET struck
him dumb with CONSERVATION.
Believe me, sir, blood will tell,
"a