Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-02-01

the matter. Poor human nature ! what s
corrupt, degenerate thing thou art, even il
thy wisest ways, and best revealings!
CHAPTER TX.
The days went by as silently as the drift.
ing clouds, as quietly as the growth of flow
ers, and no further tidiugs from Edwin
Williams came to calm the unquiet restless
ness of Ellen's mind or whisper words Of
hope to her troubled heart.
How uarvelously strange it was that the
absence of a man, to whom she had bither
to acknowledged no heart.allegiance, 10
wards whom she was conscious of no partic
ular affection and to whom she had actually
expressed aversion-how strange, I say,
that the absence of such man should rob
life of its interest and home of it's attractions,
to such being as Ellen Rogers
And yet such was really the case, how.
ever Ellen struggled to hide it, however
emphatically she denied it. The family, in
general, and Susan, particularly, were com
PEELED to acknowledge, with much grief and
anxiety of mind the wonderful charge that
had taken place in Ellen's whole character
and even looks. The smile that was wont
to fascinate all hearts with its irresistible
sweetness the clear, ringing laugh, that
made melody and inspired JOY throughout
the old mansion; the merry songs and cher
full words that came so naturally and pleas.
antly from her lips all the livelong day-all
were gone now. The piano was never open
ed, the songs of which she had been so
fond, were now never sung; but with a
countenance of inexpressble sadness she
moved about the house or wandered about
the garden as if vainly seeking after some.
thing lost-somethiug which her sad heart
could not live without. When addressed
by Susan, who, ever and anon, would gently
reprove her for the manifestation of such
an unhappy spirit, and chide her for yield
ing to her sad and morbid thoughts, she
would ever reply in some such words as
these: 'How can l be happy, Susan ? how
can l be expected to throw aside this sad
ness that oppresses me, and In which my
whole being is clad, as with garment?-
To think that he is 80 unhappy, so broken
hearted and wretched on my account. To
think that should thus repay the debt of
gratitude l owe him, by depriViug him Of
the sweetest hope of his heart and sending
him away from my side with such an em.
bittered life ! Oh, Susan I cannot be
happy. - -.--------.--------.-----'-
Upon 20 occasion and under no ciIcum.
stances, did Ellen admit the real cause Of
her grief; but to all questions on the SUBJ
ject, her reply would invariably be, that
she was grieved and unhappy because of the
ungrateful manner in which her conduct
must necessarily appear to Williams, as ex.
hibited in her non-acceptance of his offer
and the rejection of his love. 'Not that
my rejection of him was really an evidence
and expression Of ingratitude; but then, he
will so interpret it, Susan And when
Susan endeavored to argue away an idea
so preposterous and unjust in all its bearings,
her reply would be, But I am indebted to
him for the very breath draw and | at
least should have explained, TO bis full sat.
isfaction, the real connection existing be.
tween Captain Faulkener and myself.
am satisfied that had that matter been ex-
planned, his disappointment would not have
been half 80 severe, nor resulted in such an
unfortunate course of action on bis part.
Now, this may have been all very true as
far as it went; but, was it the whole truth ?
Could she have become convinced, beyond
all doubt, that Williams never for mo
ment questioned her gratitude, would the
roses come back upon her cheeks, the sweet
love light dawn again from those blue eyes,
and the joy and gladness be restored to her
heart? So, at least, her language would
lead US to infer; but was it really sol-
Does the sense of gratitude generally pro-
duce these effects ?-does it euer ?
MIR. Rogers was too much engrossed with
the tremendous interests of national affairs
to pay much attention to the failing health
and unhappy mood of bis daughter. His
mind was tco much engaged upon the con-
sideration of public events transpiring a.
round him, and sorely troubled at the sign
of the times. The Confederate forces, af.
ter long and gallant defence, had evacu-
ated Morris Island and the enemy were
now planting heavy batteries to bear upon
the defenceless city, now half deserted and
burned with fire. The old man shook bis
head and shrugged his shoulders significant
ly, as he peruscd the morning papers, where.
in long account was given Of the evacua-
ton, together with the necessity, importance
and even benefits of such movement, and
concluding with windy words of encourage
ment, and incentives to greater sacrifices
and nobler efforts
sAll very fine = said he, taking of his
spectacles and throwing the paper aside,
'but it won't do, MIR. Editor; it wont 60,
sir Only last week we were informed that
the Island must be held at all hazards, that
it was the key to the harbor and city and,
now, we are coolly told that its occupation
by the enemy will be of no possible advan-
tage to them, that our batteries on James
and Sullivan's Island can keep up con.
ceutrated and continuous fire upon them,
and render it impossible to erect batteries or
even to hold those which have been evac-
uated. 1t won't do at all, at all! Then,