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

"Mr. Dubois" said Mrs. West, few days at
ter, as the former sat upon the piazza, you vii
oblige us, sir, by making me aware Of the precise
amount of your bill.
"For teaching, ma amp" asked Dubois, quietly
eyes, sir
Dubois took pencil from his pocket, and aftel
little figuring upon the margin of the newspaper
before him, said: "You are indebted to me, mad
am, exactly eighty-four dollars.
''That is the entire amount of my Indebtedness
then ?' asked the naughty woman, drawing a well
filed purse from her bosom, and proceeding tc
count out the specified amount.
"Yes ma am, was the quiet reply but Duboi:
watched the business-ike proceedings with no lit
tie uneasiness and wonder.
"Here are eight tens and five. Count them
yourself" And Mrs. West held out the oper
notes between her jeweled fingers
Dubois arose and received them; and after lay
ing them one by one upon the seat Of the chair
which he had just vacated, he gathered them UP
again and handed them to Mrs. West, simply re-
marking: 1.-THE amount is correct, madam
II wish you to retain the notes, Mr.. Dubois,
said the lady, somewhat annoyed by his air Of ut
ter indifference. Tin Short wish to make Il
nal settlement with you, as my daughters will nc
longer require your services as music-teacher."
"Indeed p said Dubois, deliberately folding ur
the notes and placing them in his vest pocket,
then shall be compelled, madam, to owe you 9
dollar until I coup to my room have no change
about me.
''You will please save yourself all that trouble
sir A dollar is of no consequence, one way or the
other" said Mrs West.
"Not the slightest consequence to me, madam
I assureyou," said Dubois, resuming his seat. I'm
dsed-so far as that is commemorative entire O.
mount is only valuable to me as it ministers to the
wants of others.
Mrs. West looked at him few momentsin deer
thought; then suddenly turned and walked into the
house.
Dubois arose and walked up and down the piaz
20. His countenance was pale as death itself, and
his fingers worked convulsively. The discovery o.
his love for Laura and of her undisguised affection
for him upon the very eve Of all these msfortunes
was an almost insupportable blow to his sensitive
nature The burden of his own love was heavy
enough, God knows; but his strength Of character
would have enabled him to struggle from beneath
it's pressure and influence in the course of events
or, at least, 10 bear it manfuy and phiosophcally
But alas! what was to become of Laura? How
could he abandon her now?
10 think that he should have thrown so deep @
shadow over an existence so bright and sunny as
hers To think that he should have begotter
such beautiful hopes within her impressibe young
heart, only to blight and destroy them Oh! il
was so hard to look out in the future, and think Of
the darkness which hung over the lfe-path Dark
ness for her and darkness for him.
Burdened with such melancholy reflections, he
descended the stairs and walked outinto the beauti
full garden before him. Here, he had walked fol
hours with Laura within these shady fowery
bowers they had sat for hours in the long, beauti
full wnterless months, now lying in the past Here,
all unknown to themselves, they had learned to
love each other, with love so river-ike so Deep
so pure, so impetuous! Oh if he could only Lift
the latch of that little wicket gate and walk out in
to the world with a consciousness that Laura was
utterly Indifferent to him-or, at least, would soon
forget him But, to think, that with his going
would unhappiness come to the heart Of that pure,
affectionate creature All that was bitter in.
gredent in his cup of sorrow!
He turned to enter little bower in sequestered
part of the garden, but started back as he diseov
cred Laura within She was sitting upon low,
rustic bench; her elbow resting upon book in hel
lap, and her little white hand supporting her beau
tifully chiselled chin She was evidently in deep
thoug melancholy thought, one would conclude
from that anxious, troubled expression, and those
tear-drops on her flushed cheeks.
AS Dubois appeared in the doorway, she started
involuntarily sprang towards him. but, suddenly
checking herself and controlling her emotion, she
calmly extended her hand, and tremblingly resum
ed her seat, a deep blush suffusing her face.
"You are unhappy, Laura p said Dubois, ten
derly.
"And you, Horace?" she asked, timidy looking
up butinstantly bowling her head upon her bosom
"I. Laura All dear, Laura am unhappy