Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-04-11

when trouble came I forgot all-and God
punished me"
"Whom He loveth He chasteneth. Is not
that comfort? And you must not doubt
Him, dear"
"Oh !no, no-never! I only doubt myself
I wish though more of His tenderness and
less of my own misery. Aunty, I am SO
young-and last year I was so bright. And
now"
She hid her head on her aunts shouldeI.
The sound of wheels on the graveled sweep
aroused them. 1t was late in the afternoon,
and visitors generally arrived before this time
unless they came from distance.
Miss Lyle glanced from the window and
saw two gentlemen alighting from phs.on.
"Itis Colonel Meredith do not know
the other," she said and Mildred rising has
tily, recognized at once Alexis Waldemar.
When the gentlemen were ushered into the
drawing-room Miss Lyle came forward to meet
them, but Mildred had disappeared.
"You are welcome, my dear Colonel" she
said, heartily; and then as Waldemar was
duly presented, she added-"your name is not
unknown to US. Itgives me pleasure to greet
you; both as the ward of our friend, and as
your mothers son"
She gave him her hand, and the young man
bent low over it with that courtliness which
made one recall the days of the Cavaliers
and Garter Knights.
Just then Mrs. Weir entered, and the well
come was repeated. When she saw the man
whom her daughter loved, the mother forgave
all. That perfect face and figure, those Won
derful, clear, magnetic eyes, that manner 30
gentle, so earnest, yet digni6ed-could decep-
ton dwell within such q fair exterior! A
slight paleness, and an air of unaffected mel
ancholy lent additional interest to his appear.
ance; ; and before she was aware of it, Mrs.
Weir had clasped his profered hand, and her
heart went out to hinl-the idol Of so many
womanly hearts.
Il was grumbling over the dullness Of di'
ming alone only few hours ago when this
scape-grace arrived" Colonel Meredith said,
with ill.concealed pleasure in his very accent.
81 have been commanding his presence in
vain for two months past, and only realized
his bond of union to the city when our fair
cousin returned home, and the attractions Of
Bayou La Fourche became Immediately en-
hanced."
His mischievous smile brought the red to
Waldemar's pale cheek but only the swo
women who watched him knew how the little
shaft had struck home.
II intended to spend this season in the
country" the young man remarked in some
embarrassment, "but must acknowledge a
double attraction at present"
They had seated themselves, and Mrs. Weir
rang to order lights when Mildred, taking ad-
vantage of the friendly cleaning, entered the
room. She gave her hand to her old friend,
Colonel Meredith; thun with that graceful
frankness which distinguishes the South in
this particular ceremony, extended it in well
come to Waldemar.
Neither spoke but the young man was ev.
identity agitated.
"You have much to forgive" he began
when they were standing little apart from
the others. His voice was husky and un'
steady; but with true womanly generosity she
interrupted him:
81 know you must have had the best Of
reasons. Please do not allude to it. All is
forgotten-your silence mean"
1T was inexcusable," he said with energy,
"but I shall explain. You know, at least,
that my feelings are unaltered, however faith
less circumstances have seemed to prove me"
He leant forward, and looked tenderly into
the sweet, sad face which was the star Of his
life. The lights came in; she raised her eyes
once to his after that he doubted no more.
But that terrible nightmare-that hideous
memory of Mardigras-oh how it tortured
and upbraided and warned as he sat in the
sacred presence of pure love! Surely many
sins are well-nigh expiated in remorse Yet
be was too weak-aye, too selfsh-to be true
to his own intentions. While Ormuzd whis-
pered, "Confess all; she will forgive you," ,"
Ahriman, the tempting 6end, urged: "Enjoy
the present; forget the sins you have commit
ted" And 80 the strife went on till the Good
Spirit folded his spotless wings and took his
flight. And the Evil One was enthroned with
power in the polluted sanctuary of this i'm
mortal soul.
"Come, Miss Mildred" Colonel Meredith
said, as the hours were growing late, 81 call
not consent to say goodnight until hear you
sing once more. Let me hear if Barilli has
been able to improve voice that have been
accustomed to regard asperfect ever since you
sat on my knee and sang Little Bo Peep
when you we're a baby of two years DID,"
They all laughed heartily at this reminis'
cence Waldemar thought he had never felt
how inexpressibly dear she was to him as
when Mildred turned to her mother with
childlike simplicity as natural as it was charm
ing, and asked:
"What shall I sing, mamma"
"I think the Colonel would enjoy that little
ballad heard you singing yesterday-one of
Charles Kingsley's, I think"
eyes, anything Of Kingsleys is refreshing
to me. One feels the sea-spray in the melody.
Sing it, Mildred"
She sat down, and without prelude, and
scarcely an accompaniment but few chords,
sang the wierd legend-"The Sands O Dee." "
Her voice had gained in strength the ex.
ecution was faultless; but naught save Ma
ture could have bestowed the power with
which abe chained the ear and charmed the