Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-10-24

your feelings Remember that, in short
time, you will be mine, then you will at least
be free from these cares, and all others that
I can control"
1--WE know we both hope so," she said, as
ifoppressed with some grave doubt of the fu'
ture.
"Why do you speak so sadly? Can aught
step between us, Emma?"
"Oh! I don't know" she answered, in low
but intense voice. "We cannot tell what
strange improbability will soon assume living
shape Life is full of mysteries, deceits and
contradictions We rest contented now on
something that will fail us in an hour: But
enough-I do not mean to moralize. must
20 home, Willie, the shadows are coming
heavily down. You will walk with me lit
tie way?"
"Gladly, darling" he replied, with glance
of mingled love and admiration. "But you
must not allow your fancies to assume the
form of realities. You have care enough now,
draw nothing from the future; if trials are
there they will come soon enough Think
only Of your love, for it is pure and true, and
will yet bless u.s."
She raised her brown eyes thankfully, re-
ceived his parting caress, and hurried back to
the house. As she entered the sitting room
she paused suddenly, for her father was con
versing with a stranger in one corner of the
apartment, and was much excited. Upon
drawing nearer she beheld the light of can
die, and knew that they were examining some
thing. What could it be that could tempt
her father to be thus wasteful? He never al
lowed light unless he had tools to mend,
and then, if possible, he always put it off until
moon-lightnight
She stood still for moment, impressed with
a wonder more painful than the circumstances
would seem to warrant. Then she sank
quietly into chair and anxiously watched
the two figures, who nodded, gesticulated, and
conversed with each other in low tones.
| Sudden Hiram Watson turned round, and
seeing his daughter, gave vent to an exclama-
ton of surprise. Emma thought that his eyes
were unusually bright and his face very pale.
She said nothing, however, but directed her
gaze upon the stranger.
Unaccountably to herself, she felt that she
had seen him before, that his face was in some
way interviewer with her own. Her father
now resumed his former position, and whis-
pered earnestly with his companion. The
latter shook his head afirmatively, and Hiram
Watson rubbed his hard hands with delight
and CALCULATED:
"Come here girl-here! Oh! the pretty
things you'll like them when you look -
Gomez
Mechanically she obeyed, and stood between
her father and the stranger. The latter now
opened box, which contained a dozen bril-
liant gems, and set it down under the rays of
the candle. Emma glanced from the stones
to the face of the man who owned them. Yes,
she had seen him before he had many inter-
views with her father. An involuntary tre-
NOR passed over her frame, and she sought to
move away.
"Oh! the little darlings," muttered Hiram
Watson, taking one between his thumb and
fore-fnger and watching its scintilation with
a covetousness that almost approximated te-
rocity. "Oh! see it shine EN-, my girl;
wouldn't that look nice on your neck ? What
would the villagers say, eh? Oh the bright
one What-what did you say that was
worth, Mr.. Jeffries ?"
Give hundred pounds" he answered,
smoothing his long beard, and smiling toward
the maiden.
"Worth a farm-a whole farm En-, my
girl, how would you like 'em all-all2" and
he clutched her by the arm and gazed upon
her with wild anxiety.
"What do you mean, father ?" she cried in
alarm, and sought to break away.
"You frighten the child" interposed Mr..
Jeferies, reprovingly. 'She takes your en-
thusiasm for menace Pray be careful, my
dear sir.'
"Oh! yes; you amt frightened, Emmy,
are you? Of course you amt. There, we'll
say no more about it. Put 'em up, Mr.. JEFF
fries; they dazzle my eyes, hang me if they
DON'T"
And with one parting glance at the glisten-
ing baubles, he folded his arms and dropped
into chair, his head thrown forward upon his
breast.
His terrible passion for gain was working
it flashed from his eyes; it stood out with the
cords upon his face; it seemed to come with
his breath and carry nameless terror to the
breast of the child who stood before him.
| Unable, at length, to endure the influence
which infected the atmosphere of the room,
she arose and hastened to her chamber.
Throwing herself upon her bed, she buried
her face in the pillow and wept, starting at in
tervals at. the slightest sound.
Two hours might have passed and she was
just becoming quiet and thinking about retir-
ing when knock at the door swelled thehost
of narrowing feelings that had previously tor
mented her. She waited for moment, delib-
Grating if it were best to speak, and during
the time her father entered and approached
her couch. She started back instinctively
and lay close to the wall, for there was some
thing in his look that Mortified her.
"Did you know what I meant to-night?"
he said, in rasping voice, while his fingers
worked to and fro restlessly. "Did you
Don't speak falsely now. You can't help it.
they are worth five thousand pounds. Oh!
didn't they shine? The owner sleeps here to-
night! Heis good man, handsome man.
He wauts-Emmy, do you hear ?" He
reached forward and grasped her arm. "He
wants to marry you! Say yes, and they will
be yours, and your father can look at them
always. Emmy, will you have him?"
"Oh father, dear father, don't ask me-"
she implored, clasping her hands "Oh I
pray you have mercy. II cannot~
"What? Eh? Won't ?" His face be
came livid; his eyes distended. "Then I'll
kill him, for I'll have the stones somehow.
Look! I've got it sharp-it'll cut hair! He
sleeps! What do you say!'
AS he spoke he drew long butchers knife
from his sleeve, and held it up before her, test
ing its keen edge on his thumb
"Oh Heaven, my father is mad!' she
moaned and pressed her hand to her head