Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-06-06

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pressed, and the hand laid on Lord Ruthven' 8 arm
was so heavy and unceremonious, that Fergus had
evidently lost sight. for the moment, Of all out
ward forms of respect
'What is it2' said his master in low tone
you must have good reason for your caution
Fergus"
II have, myLord, returned the body-servant in
the same tone; ''foIow me to that side door there
which opens towards the quarters, and aim not tc
attract attention" With these words Fergus dis
appeared.
Lord Ruthven looked round to see if any one
was watching him; and, finding that he was
wholly unobserved, quickly followed.
He opened the side door, passed through, and
closed it after him.
The sepulchral glare of the snow, bathed in the
icy moonlight, and the freezing wind which cut
like sharp steel blade through his richly embroid,
cred coatof delicate silk, made thecontrast between
the hall within, and the winter night without,
sufficiently striking.
But he did not heed it. Fergus was awaiting
him, and no sooner saw his master than he said in
his former quick, brief tone:
sYour Lordship's married bonny bride !'
'What do you mean? Speak!' were the i'm.
perious words of Ruthven.
'That WILL, speedily. Where sLady RuthVen,
my Lord2"
II know not!''
sI do"
"Where? What doyou mean, Fergusl Some,
thing in your words-your voice.
eyes; I am not as cool as usual. True, my
Lord and that has made me forget that must
exact promise from you"
"a promise speak speakl' cried Lord Ruth,
ven with overwhelming excitement. "Speak il
you would have me retain my senses'
'Promise that you will not slay my lady"
sSlay! you are madp'
II am sane-promise!"
II promise nothing, and command you to ex-
plain yourself Speak or, by Heaven, II cut the
truth out of your very hearth
And Lord Ruthven seized the old servant by the
shoulders, with grasp so violent, that he shrunk
with pain.
''Well," was his cool reply, Give done my duty
and 1 obey your Lordship."
"Speak! Where is Lady Ruthven?"
Fergus stopped down and pointed to the snow.
"Look!" he said
Lord Ruthven looked and saw the print Of O
small, delicate slipper in the snow.
''There is another" said Fergus, "and youl
Lordship will see that they 60 across the lawn"
His master did not listen. With burning
cheek, and heart which throbbed almost to burst
ing, he followed the delicate footsteps over the
chill expanse.
STOPPING thus, and fastening onward, the young
nobleman resembled some wild animal, crouchine
low, and fastening toward his prey. Soon it was
necessary to bend lower. A cloud had passed ovel
the moon, and only the dull glare of the snow, at
forded the means of tracing the footprints. Hwas
sufficient, however; and Lord Ruthven thus ira
versed the slope which extended toward the fence
encircIing the grounds. All at once deep shadow
fell upon the marks Helooked and sawa mighty
oak twenty PAGES distant At the same moment
the sound of voices was heard-a voice which he
recognized as that of Honoria, murmured, II vii
love you in life and deathp' and the burning
glances of Lord Ruthven penetrated the black shad
ow, and saw that Honoria was clasped in gentle
man arms.
THE LAST MEETING.
| Honoria had kept her appointment Stealing
away from the company, she had sought her cham
ber, hastily wrapped heavy cloak around her
and descending by staircase in the rear Of tht
building, opened the side door, and gone forth int
the chill night.
Flying, afrighted and trembling over the ex
panse of snow which made her feet, in their thil
white satin slippers ache with cold, she had reached
the arbor seen the figure of her lover come Il
meet her; and had fallen, weak, and powerless tt
resist, upon his bosom.
Then followed one of those spectacles which tn
writer shrinks from with sense Of utter incapaci
ty-with full conviction that the crowning trage
dy and pathos of the scene, defy all efforts to por
tray them.
Forgetting all the world-her past, her present
and her future remembering only that the human
being whom she loved With such unspeakable ten
derness and devotion was before her-and obeyinl
the resistless impulse driving her, like wear!
storm-tost dove, into his sheltering arms-sh'
chung close to him, casped him wildly to her bosom
and exhausted on him, every old term Of endear
ment, in one passionate outburst which she made
|
And Innis could only clasp her to his heart, ant
reply in broken words.
His great woe came upon him, at that moment
with an intenser bitterness than ever before. Th,
sense what he had lost swept over him likeahood 9
fire; and cruel, mad despair, was mingled will
the delicious happiness of the girls caresses.
For many moments they thus remained LOCKED
in each others arms, murmuring words Of endear
ment and striving to grow calmer.
The young man finally, in measure, conquered
his agitation, and suppressing, by an immense ef
fort, the groan which nearly tore its way to his lips
said in broken voice.
\ 81 thank you for coming, my own darling.
may call you so, now, for the last time-and yol
must not stay here in the cold any longer. l tel
as if should have died without this last meeting
useless as it was-and now I can say farewell" u"
He tried to unclasp the arms Of the girl, but sh
resisted.
"Nor' she exclaimed, in a voice, interrupted b.
sobs; "no, no, we need not part so soon! Wh'
must we part?'
'They will miss youin the hall, and then this bit
ter night! Your poor dear little feet In their thu