Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-04-04
Will you be my wife-or do you

He did not attempt to come nearer; some
influence, as potent as it was intangible, seem
ed to guard her from his very touch; but the
passion in his voice thrilled her as the closest
caress. She trembled so violently that she
was obliged to support herself against chair,
Waldemar took no notice; only he clenched
his hands closer together.
"Mr. Waldemar," Mildred began in low,
yet clear tone, cit is unkind in you to urge
me farther. I have already said can give
you no reply until I have seen my mother.
You know but too WE'LL" and her voice fell
almost to whisper, chow much even that
consent implies"
eyes, yes" he muttered, "it is enough
more than I have any right to expect. For
give me that have seemed impatient, but
there is more at stake than you can imagine u
He stopped suddenly as if the words had es'
capped him unawares then continued without
replying to her questioning eyes: II have
just returned to the city, and find a letter
from my guardian; urging me to spend the
coming spring at Bayou La Fourche. 1trests
with you whether I come or not. How must
reply to his invitation? Shall accept it p
eyes"
Scarcely was the irrevocable monosyllable
uttered before Mildred Weir repented. Oh
this fatal impulse which sways US all ! Oh
that fearful word "Regret" which inevitably
follows!
A great man has said, "our wills are oul
destinies ;" but it were hard to charge the sad
fate Of this young girl to the utterance of one
impulsive word. Yet it was 80; and thai
spoken word fell upon the ear of her listener
with the resonant ring of determination. Brow
and cheek flushed with sudden glow of wild
est joy.
my darling-my dsrling"-he murmured
over and over in tones which only the ear Of
love could detect-"I have won you at last
you cannot recall that word"
Surprised and bewildered, Mildred at first
made no effort to release herself; but sudden
ly she threw back her head and laid her hand
on his arm.
"Alexis, do not take advantage of me-
You have my word-but no more. I cannot
consent to an engagement until my mother
sanctions it-but, oh Alexis, you know"
The excitement had been too great. She
sat down, and leaning her head upon her
hand, gave way to the feelings which over.
powered her. Waldemar strove in vain to
calm her indeed, he was frightened at the re-
suit Of his impulse and the intensity Of her
grief: He entreated her to forgive him, but
she only murmured-
"Go-go; I cannot bear to see you now. "
"And tomorrow night" he implored, "let
me join you. How shall I know you? Give
me some clue to your costume"
She raised her hand and signed that the
topaz ring should be the token.
"And your domino"
"White. We all wear white, but Kate has
crimson tassel on hers"
"Good night then until I see you at the
Opera House. Now say you forgive me be-
fore I 60"
He was on his knee beside her chair and
still holding the hand he had taken to bid
her adieu, when the door opened and through
the dusk-for the ga. had not yet been light
ed-Mildred heard her cousins voices
II tell you, Henriette, it could not have
been he, for Jack said only this morning that
the party had not yet returned from Pasca-
goula. You must have been mistaken"
II am perfectly confident" Henriette re-
piled, the two entering the back drawing
room and not yet perceiving the occupants in
the apartment beyond; II was standing with
Mr.. Chetwynd at the corner near Romillet's,
and they passed in close carriage. I recog-
nized her face as that pretty girl who works
at Olympe's."
It was all said so deliberately that not a
word was lost; and the two sisters had I'd.
vanced to the curtain which hung between
the rooms before Waldemar recovered his
selfpossession. Quickly rising he said, as if
resuming conversation
"I shall expect, then, to have the pleasure
of meeting you tomorrow evening. Au re-
voir"
The inimitable GOODNESS struck Mildred
dumb. He had disappeared through the op-
posite door, his retreat being favored by the
dim light, when Kate coming forward discov.
cred her cousin seated by the fire.
"Why, T thought you had not finished dress
ing for dinner, Mildred, and instead I find
you giving private audience to one Of your
numerous adorers. Who was it that just left
your"
Kate was in one ofher teasing moods, and
her red lip wore that expression Of mschancsts
which is so particularly trying to sensitive ma
lures. But Mildred was on her guard: the
short outburst had relieved her, and she was
strong again.
"Guessw she said, looking up. into the
laughing eyes above her.
"Oh!I can easily run through the list,
Falconer, Gervais, Chetwynd, Archille Pigo-
let, and last, but by no means least,"-with a
pretty affectation of sarcasm-"the irresistible
and fascinating Waldemar. Now answer for
each in succession" She sank down on the
rug at Mildred's feet, and fixed her eyes keenly
upon the face of her cousin.
"Well, as my father confessor, or rather as
my prime inquisitor, make an honest, sincere,
and unhesitating acknowledgment that it
was-one of themp
"Now I perceive thou art guilty." Kate
said solemnly. "Henricus, bring thither the