Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-05-03

pass midnight now, and poor missy quite
oneasy to hab dis ting done wild. Come
long
Edgar followed her in silence around
the house, pausing ever and anon, as some
imaginary stir within arrested their atteu.
ton. Hating at the foot of dilapidated
fight of stairs running up the outside Of
the house, and communicating with an ivy.
covered verandah on the third floor, she
bade him remain quietly there few mo.
ments. Now, the attentive reader will re,
member, that only the first and second sto.
ries of the old mansion had been occupied
by the family for many years, and can there
fore conceive Of our hero's surprise upon
finding himself about to meet Minnie III
one of those abandoned cid rooms at that
dead midnight hour. Before he could pom.
der this apparent mystery, however, old
Dinah returned and bidding him in whis-
per- to follow her, steaIthily reascended the
creaking stairs. Arriving at the verandah,
she turned, and asked in tremulous voice,
1s you armed, Mass EdgarT
Edgar replied in the affirmative
Den hold on to my frock an come. long,
widout saying anything ) and she cautiously
opened door and entered the old building.
DARKNESS there, and nothing more ~
Hold on p said Edgar, in a whisper, af.
ter passing through several rooms, the
frightened rats scamperiug in all directions,
and the night wind moaning and wailng
through the broken panes. What does all
this mean? What will it all amount to p
Hush, Edgar?' replied a voice near him.
Everything depends upon the utmost quiet.
Lead him here, Diuah'
minnie !! exclaimed Edgar. you here !!
in this awful placep
Silence, beseech you! !! said she in an
emphatic undertone you will alarm the
house and bring ruin upon US both. There
now sit right down here, and do not
speak above whisper
but, dear Minnie, said Edgar, seating
himself upon what appeared to be an old
trunk or box, 'what means all this mystery
Why is it necessary at allT
'Only be calm and quiet for a little while
and you shall know all
But au I not to be made happy with a
sight of you Minnic?'
Not now, at any rate. Nay ! do not take
my hand or come an inch nearer, before
you hear what I believe it my duty to make
known There is not moment to be lost.
Pray listen to me and be quiet as death it.
self.
IF I must, I must, said Edgar, folding
his arms across his breast, while present..
ments of coming evil, and forebodings of
sorrow came darkly over mind and heart
Say on I will try to be quiet
of course you have never seen or heard
of Sir Richard Beverly began Minnie, in
low undertoDe.
perhaps, l have but never mind that
What about him p said and asked Edgar
'My reply must be brief replied Min
ME, heaving deen sigh. He is, it seems,
destined to be my future husband. Nay !!
do not start and shudder so do not speak
until tell you all!'
'Oh, Minnie
Il do not love hiu, Edgar she contin-
ued, placing her hand upon his shoulder
kindly; 'but, alas there is no help for it
i must become bis bride
oh do not talk thus Minnie my own
dear Minnie Edgar passionately exclaimed
aloud, forgetting her caution, and losing his
self possession in the excitement of the
moment.
sYuu must do one of two things said
Minnie, pressing her hand upon his shoul-
der, to keep him down in his seat. Either
keep perfectly quiet while here, or return
Immediately from whence you came, and
never hope to look upon me again
'There is no alternative then,' said Ed
gar, in whisper Proceed will endeav-
or to petrify myself
Very we'll = said Minnie. 'And now,
Edgar, it costs me much to affirm it, but
rather than you should deem me false, uu
true and per6ious, I will frankly acknowl-
edge that am conscious Of no dimuDition
of affection for you because of these things.
1t may be some solace and comfort to you,
hereafter, to know this
Then why should you sacrifice yourself
to Sir Richard, Minnie?' asked Edgar,
trembling in the intensity of his emotion
sYou would not believe the why-the
terrible wherefore-if l should reveal it.
Oh I shudder to mention it,
In the name of heaven, Minnie, why
all this mystery? If there is anything to
be explained or revealed, which you deem
me worthy of hearing, for Gods sake
nay in justice to yourself, speak out =
Dispel the cloud of suspicion and alarm
which gathers about my heart tell me
who is this baronet and what has occurred
to render you marriage with man whom
you do not love, an unavoidable and abso.
lutte necessity
Enough = said Minnie, in tone of in.
dignaut reproof You shall hear all, even
though my life should go out iu darkness
with the telling Of it
i am all attention, said Edgar, pray,
proceed
After an eloquent silence of few mo-
mcnts, Minnie said, with sigh, you know,