The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-04-20


| doubtless, my dear child, but you must
reflect that ann the best Judge about. what
is prudent in our case. know your father
well, and although he is noble gentleman,
and no enemy TO me personally, as you are at
full liberty to. ascertain by questioning him,
(only be careful not TO let fall word that
can show your knowlcge. of me,) vet he is
such mortal enemy to the Catholic religion,
that / am convinced he would prefer to see
you lying dead at his feet rather than to
have you become the wife of a Catholic
even NY wife, Lena"
"What then are we to do" questioned
Lena, with eyes full of tears and sorrow.
DIR. Hunter drew key from his pocket,
and unlocking the park gate, led his com
panion in and relocked the gate before he
answered her question. -
lie then turned with Lena, down the
deepest shadowed path and said
IL will tell yousoon little one-but first
come with mo into our arbor, and. favor me
in the same sweet manner that you did your
father just before you left him. / cannot
talk to you further till you have reassurcd
OF your love, by at least one freely given
kiss" &
They were in secluded arbor; Hunter
stood at her side and bowed gracefully to-
ward the young girl.
Lis words-as such words from him al
ways did-sent thrill of halffrighted 10Y
to her innocent heart. She knew she was
bluslhng scarlet, but he could not sec that,
for the darkness covered it--ah, the dark
ness lit covers many things-but "There
is nothing covered that shall not he revealed
nor hid that shall not be known"
Lena's lips were pressed lightly upon
Hunters cheek--her touch was like the
stroke Of a magic wand upon him, and he
caught herinstantly and forciby to his heart
His lips limited not their kisses to check
or white brow. The warm red lips which
had yielded timidly indeed, but not unwill-
ingly, to his desire, were largely repaid for
their gentle grace.
diisses arc curious things. Who is there
that cannot testify to that?
LENA" said DR.. Hunter, as he sat with
her folded in his thick cloak, "do you know
that this is theta time can meet you so
The leaves are all falling from these trees,
and our place of refuge will soon be exposed
to public view. | cannot go 10 your house
| think too much Of your dignity, and my
own, to ask you meet me at other houses,
or about in different places any more. Now,
little girl, stop this signing if you please and
listen well to what Tam going to say to you
You are bound to mo by all vows of love,
as am to .you-should you not then, give
me q husbands right to claim you-to take
you to my home without shame or fear {?
Your parents will never give their consent :;
but when we arc one flesh without it, they
must needs forgive us, or, at leastthey will
soon do so, when they see we are happy in
each other, as we shall be, shall we not my
owni You can satisfy yourself that your
father thinks only well of my character, and
of me every way, except my religion-that
is the rock upon which our happiness will
certainly be wrecked, if you refuse TO hear
me; and then if at the end Of three days,
you decide for me, send note through the
post-office, and | will meet you wherever you
may name, and take you TO my sisters, in
Albany, where we will be married; and
then all these anxicties and dangers will
be at an end, and shall have my darling
with me night and day"
A few moro words-a food of perpexed
tears-anothcr long encouraging embrace,
and DIR. Hunter led poor Lena out Of the
park, and left her near the house of her pa
rents.
X X
"Fathcr," said Helena Carlisle as he rose
from the dinner-table one day, "father, what
do you think Of DR.. Hunter as man and
gentleman? l heard you tell me the other
day that you could never feel reconced to
the idea that he was Catholic"
"What put him in your wise little head
just now, my child Z" said the kind hearted
parent, and then, without observing the
deepening color upon his childs rosy cheeks,
he added, earnestly, if from the depths Of
his heart-"Dr Hunter is one of natures
noblemen. In character, principles, and dis
position, he is all that man should be how
he has been able to live thirty-fve years a
Roman Catholic, is perfect paradox to me-"
"Thirty-f five years oldw exclaimed Helena
"Dr Hunter cannot be thirtyfivc years
old"
should like TO know how you know how
old he can be, Miss Lcna-wherc did you
ever sec him Z" said her Elther, laughing at
her apparently horifed surprise.
"Oh,I was introduced to him not long
ago, and thought he was very handsome,
but not very old"
"yery old thirty.fvc! Oh, these chill