The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-09-11

loved her. Such were his feelings and med
itations after he had spent q week at the
chateau, and the time had como. when he
ought 10 take his leave. One evening at
this period, when the aunt was for short
time absent, he ventured to express his sur
prise that one so fitted to adorn society
should fly it. Miss Blake became evidently
somewhat agitated, but only replied that
the death of her parents had effected her
much. Otway thought such heart must
! be treasure, when enclosed in such a furn
and in few moments lie had told her that
he loved her, and entreated her to permit
him to visit the chateau in future, and 10
hope that she would bc his. Miss Blake
showed great agitation. Avcrting her face,
an! trembling from head to foot, she falrer-
ed forth in broken accents, Leave me, Mr..
Otway--ieave ME, for your peace and my
own! am an unhappy crea:ure-a mis-
cradle, unhappy creature! Fly from me
The aunt's footsteps WAS heard at this
moment, and soon after her entrance, Car
oline retired. She did not appear again
that evening, and on the morrow Otwav left
the chateau, as he had previously announ-
ced his intention of doing. lie did not go,
however, until lie had sent note request
ing leave to inquire for the ladies at fu-
turc time. which permission he received in
reply from the aunt. Stephen left the cla-
teau with his thoughts brooding over one
point-thc mystery that seemed tosurround
Miss Blake. For several days did he rum.
nate on this in his solitary lodging, until
the time came when he had to appear at
Doulogne 10 settle the matter of the bet
But though he had gained his point on be-
coming acquainted with these ladies, one Of
them had become far too dear to him, to
permit him to. make them the subject of
further foolcry, and he had long resolved to
pay the bet, aud miSlead his Boulogne
friends to the issue. lie WAS pretty sure
that none Of them would know what had
passed at the chateau. So it indeed proved
Stephen gave the appointed dinner, and as
some other uine-day's wonder had taken up
the attention of the loungers the ladies of
the chateau, to Stephens great satisfaction,
were forgot after the first bumper to the
enter taner, in honor of the occasion.
Before Otway left Boulognc again for the
country, letters were brought 10 him from
England. One of these WAS from an cspc-
cial intimate, WHO, after giving him news of
British matters, went on thus Il only
learnt two DAYS since Of your having come
tells me Of Let-you didn't use to bet, OF
way-wl,ich you have taken up, about two
ladies, who live in a retired manner near
Boulognc. think too we'll Of you, my
dear Stephen, to believe you capable of an
noying or insulting any lady or ladies, but
if | am right in my supposition respecting
these peisons, l think you would feel espe-
cial regret ut giving them moments pain.
Caroline Blake, think, is one of these la
dies, and she is one Of the best girls that
ever breathed, as well as one Of the most
lovely and most sensitive. Her sensihveness,
indeed, approaches almost 10 disease. Her
parents, and in truth her whole family, died
some time back, through pestlentiaI fever,
and this girl almost killed herself by watch
ing over their successive dcath-beds. She
was left the sole inhcritor Of an ancient name
and handsome fortune, but unhappy, in
her attendance on the last of her family who |
died, she also caught the seeds Of the intec
ton. he Srecovered her health, however,
and all her loveliness, but alas--' Ot- )
way read few words farther, and the letter
dropped from his grasp. He fell back in
his chair, and struck his brow with his hand.
dreadful he exclaimed 10 himself Dread |
ful--irreparable loss! Poor Caroiine!-
This then is thy unfortunate secret And
sm so poor q thing as to shudd,r at and
forsake thee for what thy very virtues have
occasioned Yet it is a horrid thing ! We .
,hal give no more Of oftheyoung gentleman's
eXclamalions, but content ourselves with !
saying they continued long, so long, that an
old crusty fellow, who slept that night below
Otway's room in the inn at Boulogne, de,
clared that lie could get no rest till morning,
from stamping mailman above.
The issue is what we have to DO WITH
On the evening after receiving this letter, !
Stephen Otway presented himself at the gate
Of the chateau. He was admitted, and was
received by Miss Blake with blush, which
soon passed away. and left her countenance
calm and pale. The minds of both the young
people seemed to be internally occupied on
this evening, and the aunt had the discourse
chiefly TO herself; but she left the room Cor
moment, and Otway seized the occasion to .
resume the subject of his love. The night
is beautiful replied Miss Blake; will you
walk with me short way? | was prepared !
for your recurrence to this subject, and |
would speak with you. But not here, let
me have the free air. She spoke this with
q sort of assumed caimness. Noble girl
thought Otway. she could, but aoiH not de
i.