Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-06-03

a, pure and blue as il D storm had never
stained it. had stood thus hardly ten Sec
onds, when Mr.. Benton descended few
steps and spoke my name. I followed him
up the stairs through dim passage into 4
room chaste in its appointments, but filled
with light as soft and pure as if even the
glorious day without had been refined by pas.
sage through some rare medium. In my
state of mind I could hardly comprehend
the objects before me at a glance But I
knew that 1 was in an artists studio. Ben
ton was silent, but my eye selected at once
the prominent painting iu the apartment
I looked and was struskyith a ft,of shiver-
ing. It was the portrait Of my bride-my
darling Jane, I was dumb. I could nothave
spoken had it been to save my life. .,..,
I have no idea how long I stood thus,
when Mr.. Benton approached me and took
my uuresistiug hand. <'
ssMr: Kennedy said he, with u choking
sound IN his throat, Il knew Of no proper
way for me to contribute to the happiness Of
one whom I have loved as can never love
another, except by doing pleasure to the
man whom she has honored with her love.
I thought it would be pleasant to you to have
a portrait Of your wife as she appeared in
her bridal attire, and at my solicitation she
has been here number of times to sit for
her picture. Herfriend, Miss Stephens, has
been here with her, and your servant had
just passed from sight when you came up,
with the package containing her dress. If
1 have done wrong, forgive me; but thought
it would make you all 80 happy!
AS he closed these words, uttered with
honest emotion, every one of which went
like dagger to my heart, found strength
to lift my eyes to his. The big tears were
hanging to his eyelids, and his face, in that
exquisite light was as beautiful rs if it had
been the face Of an angel. We looked at
one another a moment, and then, moved by
a common impulse, threw ourselves into one
anothers arms, and cried, sir-cried like two
babies.
O my God Tom, that was the hardest
thing that ever happened to me. Twas killed
killed by magnauimity too great for my
mean heart to fathom. seized him by the
arm at last, led him down stairs, and took
the way to my own house. You know my
impulses, and you know could not stop M
til had made clean breast of it. ] went
straight to my house, kissed Jane dozen
times, told the whole story and made myself
ridiculous. Poor Jane! She was ashamed
of me, and do not think she has got ove1
It yet
'And Benton'-I suggested.
Benton remained and drank tea with us,
in accordance with my earnest Wishes and
sent the picture home the next day but he
has not been here since. I doubt whether
he will ever come again. The fact is, your
friend Fred Kennedy has never felt so hum
bic as he has since that day, and + have
wondered how Jane, who knew US both well,
could have made the choice she did between
u.s.
so have T. most emphatically respon'
ded.
sWell, now I am bothered to know what
to'do with Benton. He is too proud to re-
ceive any favors of me. I cannot offer him
money, cannot offer him anything. III
tell you What I've been thinking about, and
you shall tell me how it strikes you. You
see what fellow I am. I shall tear myself
all to pieces in few years, and I have
brought myself to this. Before die, will
make solemn request Of Jane to marry Ben
ton for second husband
At this moment Mrs. Fred Kennedy ap.
peared, her cheeks flushed to vermillion with
the effect of the cold evening air. I did not
wonder at the ennobling influence Of such q
pure beauty as hers upon Benton's sensitive
mind. Fred introduced me, and somehow
we all found ourselves before the portrait at
once.
Pve told Tom all about it, said Fred to
his wife.
Mrs. Kennedy gave him look of wounded
reproach, and then said to me, in way which
spoke volumes, you know Fred
Fred has become an humble man, and
bids fair to put of the day of Mr.. Benton's
happiness to very indefinite future. Be.
sides bis family has been increased to that
degree that it would be doubtful whether the
artist would be willing to take the bereaved
Mrs. Kennedy with the 'incumbrauces.' =
Still, I have no doubt that Fred's imaginary
sacrifice has served its purpose in restoring,
in some degree, his salfrespect
The PRISONER AND HIS MoTHER.--A
few years since, in the State Prison at A.,
when the inmates were gathered for Sabbath
morning service in the chapel, a clergyman,
who was providentially in the city, occupied
the chaplain's place. In his appeal to their
hearts, he mentioned the case of wayward
boy whose pious mother was in heaven, and
who after the successive steps of early de-
pravity, was arrested by the Spirit of God,
recalling the hallowed counsels and the pray