Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-09-06

around the house to prove his docility, when
careless servant sprung rattan he held in
his hand. 1t struck the fiery animal, and
Herbert, off his guard at the moment, was
thrown with such violence, as to lie sense
less and bleeding-to all appearances dead.
His first consciousness was sound of hur-
ried and conflicting orders, a mothers tears
upon his face, and his fathers voice, stern
er than usual, trembled in strange tremor.
He slowly opened his eyes, vision of a
face uuearthly pale bending over him with
unutterable agony of expression passed be-
fore him, and even as he strove to smile,
he relapsed into uncousciousness. For days
after that he lay in dreamy languor, with
that Que vision ever present,
One day being more than usually alone,
excited by the memory of the past, and the
hopelessness of the future, he determined to
make the attempt and seek the family. In
considerable weakness, he managed to reach
the parlor Ellen was there and alone
She turned as he entered. Oh be could
not mistake the Joy of that look-his own
heart trembling in sweet echoiugs, was the
too faithful Interpreter. The warm blood
dyed her cheek to crimson, and the soft hu-
mid eyes seemed melting in their liquid
depths. The happy knowledge was too
much for him, his soul was flooded in the
fond ecstacy, and pale and trembling, he
would have fallen had she not assisted him.
He leant his head on her shoulder for one
sweet moment, then feebly walking to
seat, still supported by her fair arm, he
drew her to him.
This is as it should be, Ellen, he said,
as again his head rested on her shoulder.
Your support, your encouragement, God
knows l need it, Ellen-life of my life.
health of all that is holy in my nature, tell
me you love me-
His head fell upon her bosom, his arm
was around her, as trembling in his natures
'impassioned impulse, be awaited the reply
that he felt was to give him not only hap
pines but life. Gently raising him from
his position, silently unclaspiug the arms
that were around her, Ellen tenderly laid
his head on the pillows of the lounge, and
taking her seat by his side, she said:
Now, We will talk Herbert; what do you
want of me ?
She called him Herbert, and ah she
could not raise those earnest truthful eyes
to his face.
Il want you to be my guide, my stay, my
hope of heaven, my SOULS salvation, Ellen,
he said vehemently.
Hush, Herbert, don't talk so wildly;
that, l can never be, sinful and erring as l
au but your solace, your comfort, your
sympathizing friend, your loving counsellor,
your help-meet Herbert, will be-so help
God Her calmness, hsr solemnity awed
him; he shuddered and covered his face
with his hands.
DO not think do not love you Herbert
you are very, very dear to me; your gentle
affection, your truth, your uobleness, all
commend it, but this is not all. I love you
for an inner self that l do not as yet under
stand fastidiousness of feeling, reserve,
shy and proud, hidden mystery Of charac-
ter that has fascinated and enthralled me-
Do | speak too boldly? Believe I would
practice more reserve did I not think you
needed protestation to assure you
Boldly, Ellen; you bold? oh! if you
knew-if you could see my heart!'
| Il will yet see it and understand it all,
shall I not?' she asked sweetly
God forbid he cried, in strong emotion.
Ellen said he, graspiug her hand and
drawing her with irresistible force towards
him, 'let me tell you how madly, how pas,
sionately I love you. How l would dare
defy earth and hell to win you how l would
risk my hope of heaven for your sweet sake
Oh Ellen, to claim you, pure angel, as my
wife, is Joy l never dared to hope, and
now, angels and devils do their worst, you
are mine, and as mine will hold you.
There was a fire in his eyes, flush on
his cheek, burning fever in his bounding
pulse, that startled and panied her.
HERBERT she said reproachfully, with
drawing herself from his OBTAINING arm,
This is unseemy and, forgive me-cruel.'
Tears trembled in her soft blue eyes and
her lip quivered.
Forgive me, Ellen, dearest, best, am
beside myself. know not what say. |
but know I love, heaven knows how wildly
and am beloved Kiss me my own, my
peerless Ellen, and with that kiss, grant
forgiveness She drew coldly, proudly from
| him.
'Bethrothal is too pure and holy to be
contaminated by baser passions. Your kiss
is for wife, not a maiden. l will not tell
you how much you have wounded me, but
| beg you not to repeat it,
Good heavens, Ellen, how have offend
ed? What do you mean? Oh /! do not
withdraw the sweet boon of your love from
me; deprived of that, I ain indeed wretch
ed He buried his face in the cushions
his tone was hopeless and sad in the extreme.
Strange mystery he was, so cold, so shy, SO
passionate, so tender. What should she do !
If she encouraged him, he was all wildness
if she frowned, be was all hopelessness.
You are yet i'll; you are feverish, Her
bert-you must be calm; when you are
better, we will talk of this
Her composure, her dignity, awed him
he was as docie child before her. She
would not listen to his passionate VOWS, mol