Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-04-09

1m Of tgs Ypd1fal, sotm, 9gr1
O., THURSDAY
on your account! The shadow that envelopes me
is doubly cold and dark, since your own heart is
within its chilling influence too."
i "Oh! Horace what have we done to deserve
this bitter experience? You are man of the
world, and know Of the proprieties of life than
can ever hope to know You would not deceive
or mslead me, Horace, reference to these things.
What harm was there in riding and walking out
alone with YOU 80 often? Vas it wrong to be 80
much with you? Father, mother and sister have
made me perfectly wretched by their charges Of
misdemeanors and improprieties, which was and
am quite unconscious Of They assure me that
have become public town-talk;; that am disgra-
cling myself and everybody connected with me; and
all because expressed fondness for your society
and wish to be constantly beside you. What
does it all mean?"
my dear Laura" said Dubois, this evidence Of
trust and confidence is sweeter than q benediction
to my heart I shall not abuse it, assure you.
As society is now governed and constituted what
is called fashionable society, I mean-both Of us
have violated its customary proprieties. las a
DOOR music-teacher, earning livelihood by the
practice of profession-was not justified, by the
circumstances of my situation, in cultvating in
innate acquaintance with young lady of your
wealth and exalted social position. In doing so,
have made myself liable to the charge Of impu,
dence and presumption. According to these fash
ionable rules, which have referred to, you have
been guilty of impropriety in not treating ME with
marked coldness and chilling Indifference. You
should have so deported yourself while in my pres
ence, as to impress me with the immeasurable ex-
altation of your position and the unfathomable
abyss of my own. In short, dear Laura, you should
have treated me as something infinitely beneath
you, and inferior to the class to which you belong
"Oh Horacer' exclaimed Laura, inyoluntari-
ly taking the hand of the excited man, "how can
you speak thus"
IT am speaking nothing but the truth, Laura.
If some brainless, graceless fop, with his broad
acres and immense wealth, had acted precisely as
have done, the case would have been materially
different in the eyes and judgment Of fashionable
society. Ny poverty has damned me-has excom-
municated me from the elegancies and refnements
of life and doomed me to the association, fellow
ship and Brotherhood of the vulgar herd; the IL
literate, grovelling, british masses. This much,
however, I feel bound to acknowledge: have oc-
cupied false position; haveabused the confidence
and trust of your parents and overstepped the
bounds of discretion. was admitted within your
family circle simply as a teacher and for the pur-
pose of teaching, and to the discharge of this duty
should have confined myself Knowing from the
outset, that intimacy with you would never be
sanctioned or approved by those who have the le-
gitimate right to direct and advise, as to the ac-
quaintances which were most suitable for you,
should have been more cautious and discreet in
my behavior and manner; should have avoided
your society, when not professionally engaged
should have resisted, manfully, your fascinations
and attractions; should have done anything, eve
rything-even to fight-sooner than bring about
the present unhappy and unfortunate condition Of
things"
"Surey, Horace, there was nothing criminal in
our pleasant walks and rides no violation Of hu-
man law or Divine, in our delightful conversations
there was no sacrifice of duty in all this. If not
approved and sanctioned by INV parents, it was, at
least, allowed and, as everybody knew of our in
timacy, some one, surely, would have advised me
of the fact had there been any improperly in our
conduct"
1T has resulted in our mutual unhappiness, at
oil events" said Dubois. "Your friends were per-
| .ohf 70 RI
ing intimacy-to my presumption and your conde,
scension, as they, no doubt consider it for know
ing your warm, impressible temperament, they
had every reason to fear that our friendship would
ultimately ripen into love. Alas alasl the mo-
tive was good-was kind and merciful to US, dear
Laura!-but it is too late !"
eff the motive was one of mercy, they will not
separate us now, dear Horace, since naught but
misery could result from such step. They love
me too dearly, they value my happiness too much,
to attempt to deny me continuance of your pres
ence and constant companionship.
"My dear Laura, you make ME very unhappy
How can ever forgive myself for having thus en-
deared myself toyou. Obi why was not all this
foreseen? Why did 1 thus work out the unhappi-
ness of the dearest idol of my heart" Then ten
derly taking her little hand in both of his he said,
in lower tone, 'There may be better days, my
love, in the other years beyond there may come
more auspicious season for u.s. In the dark pa
renthesis between the now and then, only be loyal
and true to me-true to the feelings of your own
loving heart, and all may yet be well. In the sad
hours, of the days to come, let the assurance of
my love and devotion make youof good cheer; and
let the certainty of my triumphant return keep
hope and love alive"
"Your return' p said Laura, her blue eyes look
ing wonderingly and anxiously into his. "You
must not leave me, HoraceI There is no necessi-
ty for that. Father only wishes you to discontinue
any marked, public attention to me; to cease walk
ing and riding out together. You are still our
music teacher, you know and, as such We will
meet alone, at least once every day, and, no doubt
oftener 1t would break my heart to part with
you now Oh! indeed, indeed it would.
"Dear Laura, am no longer even your music
teacher"
"Oh Horace this is too cruel. You shall not
leave me thus You are going to bevery rash and
precpitate fear, when little patience might ac-
complish so much.
"You misunderstood me, Laura, ," said Dubois,
much affected, and pressing the trembling hand to
his lips. II have been discharged"