Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-04-18
An gnteresting Shiny.
THE TRAPPER'S WIFE.
A TRADITION

THE TRAPPER'S WIFE.
A TRADITION
Ferdinand's heart smote him as he bent
over the helpless girl, and tried to bring her
back to life. Bitterly he reproached him
self. Was it mans part to win this de-
fenceless little creatures heart and soul, and
then cast her off to strange hands as care
lessly as if the loving woman had been
stray kitten? Was she not his wife in Gods
sight, and by the laws of his native State !!
She had more character than nine-teuths OF
the women he had ever known. His friends
must make the best of it, and love her for
his sake and for her own. Would she only
open her eyes and speak to him ? Poor,
pre;ty little innocent darling! Had he
killed her? The thought went through his
heart like a knife That rough, swearing,
drinking fellow, talk of marrying his sweet
little forest flower And he was shocked at
himself as he thought how he had spoken
to her of becoming the vile of one of her
own race-the drudge subject to brutal a.
buse, compared to which Buckstone's worst
moods would be kindness and delicacy.-
He felt utterly humiliated, and doubted
which was the best man, his fellow-trapper,
or himself, with his college education, his
superfne English, and his poetical feelings.
The Puritan blood in his veins rose and re-
belled against sentimental indecency and
profanity la Shelley, and, with all the
manhood of his nature, he vowed that if
she were restored to him he would cleave
to her as long as he lived.
Leelinau opened her eyes at last-at first
with smile-suddenly it all came back to
her.
"Oh, what for not let Leelinau die 2"
she moaned, turning her head away from
her husbands shoulder.
"My darling" said he, tenderly, "my
own-do you really love me?''
"Oh, how could say that" she went on.
in bitter grief. "You know never speak
to another man but you since I come with
you. Oh, hurt her just like knife. -
Andshe presse, her little hands to her heart
as if to heal the exceeding pain the cruel
words had leftthe "No send her away" "
she besought piteously. "Take rifle and
shoot her. No hurt like such words. You
love me like you do dog, only not so well. "
II do love you, Leelinau-I do was
brute to speak so to you-forg've me, dar,
ling. You shall 60 where l go-l will
never leave you never"
But poor Leelinau's faith was shaken to
its foundation.
"No-never believe you any more. How
many times you say you love mccall me
pretty name Me think it all true-and no
care for me one bit. Oh, don't want to
live any more Little red book say Great
Father 10 Heaven love Leelinau. She 60
to Him and lie no tell her lies
Ferdinand had never seen his gentle lit
tie wife in such Woodland never had he
loved her so well. lie began to feel that
life was not worth having without her.
"Leelinau," said he, earnestly, taking
her passive form in his arms, 81 would not
have said that for the world, if | had
thought it would have hurt your feelings
so. I can never part from you-I will nev-
er leave you, come what may"
"Better kill her." she said, after min
ute's pause, her voice shaken with sobs.-
"She, poor little wild thing. You be
'shamed of her-wish her dead-when you
see some one else you want to marry"
"Never, my child"
"No child bit," she said, half impa,
tient, half sorrowful.
II know that now. did not when
spoke. Leelinau, do you see that little gold
ring?"
And he slipped it from his watch chain.
Sophy May had sent it back to him when
she broke off their engagement, and he had
kept it. "Now, if 1 put that On your 6n'
ger, it will be sign that you are my wife,
and that nothing can part US. l know |
am not so good as you, my darling-no:
worthy of your love-but forgive me-and
love me again-will you not?"
"Wait," she said, with some dignity
"You no take me just cause sorry for me
like you was for little stray lamb. No will
have you hathaway"
"Leelinau, you love me, don't you -
"You know do,7' she said, tremulously.
He slipped the ring on the halfreluctant
finger, and repeated the solemn words OF
the marriage service.
~ don't deserve you should trust me a
gain," he said-"but won't you ?"
She dropped her head on his shoulder
with long sigh.
''But no must say that again" she whis,
pered-"cause hurt her So"
81 never will-never."
"You let her stay" she whispered, after
long silence. "Let her stay till little baby
come May be she die then. If be get
tired of her after that, Leelinau take it and
90 way off. Never trouble him any more. "
Ferdinand was completely melted He
clasped her in his arms, and, with peniten1
tears, of which no man need be ashamed
vowed that she was the best, the dearest
little woman on earth, and that he woulo
love her and be true to her to the end o.
his days"
"Wel p said Blackstone, questioningly
when the two men met the next day.
81 shall take her home with me" sale
Ferdinand, with decision. 81 was vii
lain to think of anything else."
"Wah D' calculated the trapper, "Whatl
your folks say?"
sNo one can help loving her. AT al
events she is my wife-as 1 call you t'
witness. She is dear little soul as evel