Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-03-15

Although sentiments ofpaternal affection
found but small space for culture in the
chieftain's heart, yet he keenly felt the
modification of yielding to menaces in the
bestowal of his daughters hand, and to
one, too, in whose sharp face it was puz.
zliDg to read the anomalous passions that
abounded within, and who might, under
the guise of these terms, mediate fear
full and refined revenge upon her. This
stung his naughty soul with bitterness, and
there seemed to be ftfui fever in his brain
for in the midst of violence and rage,
a tremulous perturbation, apparently ari'
sing from some secret dread, shook his
frame to the impotence of childhood. He
paced the room with rapid motion, some.
times in sullen silence, then as corroding
thoughts stirred up reflections on the past,
a wild unnatural laugh or expression of de.
fance burst from his quivering lips. AT
length reflection opened calmer prospects on
his view, and he became more tranquil,
though his lineaments still betrayed evident
marks of internal agitation.
At this juncture the door opened, and
Ronald, his foster brother and faithful fol.
lower, stood before him. The remotest
member of Scottish clan invariably stood in
some relation to his chief which naturally
induced sentiment of devotion, even to
death, and formed bond Of union more
binding than if they had been brothers in
reality. The question of supremacy was
never raised and the protective arm of the
one and self-devotion of the other equalized
the distance, so that the result was a conf.
dence, esteem, friendship and affection be-
tween them, which, at the present day, it
may be found difficult by any effort to real,
ize to the imagination.
For an instant the Laird paused and fixed
his penetrating eyes upon his humble friend ;
then, as his look of suspicious doubt subsi
ded, his features regained strong traces Of
hidden agony.
Ronald he said, Il have need of your
confidence, and wish to hold some converse
with you. My daughter has refused Lord
Cranstown's hand; she is now the only
hope Heaven has left our house, since my
noble brother fell on the battle field, and
his heir perished with the nurse. Poor
child !! he continued, affecting look Of
sorrowful sympathy. sit caught that fatal
distemper, the small pox, and died.
Pardon me, my Lord rejoined Ronald
with solemnity, 'the boy was saved. 1t was
to tell you this, I iutruded on your privacy.
Language would be inadequate to pain
the sudden change in Sir Roberts face
Dismay and horror, sat upon his brow
whilst conflicting passions seemed to withel
up his faculties. He writhed his fingers ir
his long black hair, and repeated to him
self, disorderedly,
The boy was saved the boy was saved
But gathering more frmness, he continu
ed addressing Ronald,
Saved, did you say?'
yes, Sir Robert, and lives
1T is base lie, villainous fabrication
I know he died-that is-yes-yes-l
know be died.
'Indeed, indeed, my noble Sir, be lives.
'Dsre you trespass on my patience, ant
contradict me with your falsehoods? Be
ware, beware how stir up my wrath. Il
this tale your own, or is it the invention o
another?' demanded the Laird of Norland
impatiently.
i am not used, Sir Robert, to practice
falsehoods to my chief replied Ronald
proudly. my authority is now within tht
Castle-the woman who was his nurse
His nurse ! repeated the chieftain, as ht
drew his breath with repeated convulsivt
catches, which seemed to border on strangu
lation. His nurse! What does she wan
here?'
you shall hear, my Lord
BE brief then,' exclaimed Sir Robert
furiously; but collecting himself, he CON
tinued, with an air of more serenity,
Excuse my impatience, Ronald. Joyous
surprise we'll nigh overturned my reason
yet torturiug doubt weighs heavily on my
spirits, and I fear deception
"A few words will suffice, my Lord, tt
explain the tale. At the first blush O
dawn, as old David and myself were stalk
ing deer, we discovered in vault beneath
the old chapel by the loch, human being
whose weird looks and wasted strength
bespoke the near approach of death. Hu
manity prompted us to bring her to th'
Castle; and though age has sadly altered
her features, easily recognized the daugh
ter of old Margaret. As soon as I made
this discovery, had her removed apar
from the domestics; for when her speecf
returned, I found her rawlings were unf
for every ear to listen to-
Indeed! You did right, worthy Ronald
but to what did her talk tend p he inquir
ed, fixing a scrutinizing gaze upon the mar
rator.
'Alas her reason was ssorely bewildered
she spoke, nevertheless, of murder and Sil
Robert
Vice is progressive its course, and who
ever falls prey to its snare is borne away
by his evil passions, until he sinks deepe,
and deeper in guilt, and finally becomes ar
infatuated wretch, hurried along by his
own acts to the grave. Sir Robert felt this
las tornado of "reminiscences swept acros:
his memory; yet seeing the absolute neces
sity for dissimulation, he laughed aloud
although his laugh bore no kin to merri
ment. The very demons hear the terrors
of Omnipotence, and tremble-still they
laugh and exult horribly, and such was the
oc Apcfrpfhor