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


was no chance of evading the meeting; in
fact, had there been, it is doubtful if he would
have availed himself of il. The sight nerved
him with desperation inclined rather to
court than evade the disagreeables of life
Miss Murray colored again, and inclined her
head in recognition. Had Colonel Gregory
been a man of tact he would have done the
same; but Colonel Gregory was not man Of
tact, at least, not on that particular occasion.
"Here, my manw he hallooed, stopping
short on the sidewalk 'any letters for Colonel
Samuel Gregory"
81 only deliver letters at the residence Of
the person addressed" he answered haughtily.
Miss Murray smiled, and then, as both men
would have hurried on, asked with defiant
glance at her small-minded companion:
"How is your father, Mr.. Burke ?"
"Better, I thank you, Miss Murray"
"I am very glad to hear it" she responded,
cordially. "Will you remember me to your
,mother?"
"I will"
And with another bow they parted, Colonel
Gregory the while biting his lips in undis-
guised annoyance.
The young carriers heart was little lighter
as he passed on. Not that he built any hope
for himselfi in her few words. He thoroughly
understood that they were intended almost en-
tirely for Colonel Gregory's benefit but the
look of contempt her face had worn for one
second showed that her rude companion could
never hold place in her heart, and for that
he was unspeakably glad.
Several times after this he met the lady, but
not again did she unbend from her naughty
dignity. His evenings Alton Burke devoted
entirely to discovering the reasons for his
fathers pecuniary losses, which had been con-
sidered by every one as irretrievable.
By diligent and thorough research he had
discovered affairs to be not nearly so bad as
represented. His legal acumen, although as
yet untested, was of no mean order, and his
own intense interest in the matter served to
render His efforts the more strenuous Fifty
thousand dollars, at least, he discovered to be
recoverable, and, certain of this, he prepared
to relinquish his improbable and distaseful
position, and proceed at once to building up
practice in the profession for which he was
so thoroughly fitted.
1t was his last day on duty, and, scarcely
with regret, and yet with certain sadness, ne
went over the well-remembered rounds. Ar
irving at the Murray mansion, with, as usual,
letter or so for Miss Maud !; he was accosted
by the servant, agitatedly:
"Oh Mr.. Burke Git was the first time she
had ever shown signs of recognition,) "can't
you come upstairs minute? Colonel Greg
ory's going on awful, and there's nobody in
the house but Miss Maud and u.s."
The girl was undoubtedly terrified, and fol-
lowing her into the hall he tried to get some
idea of the truestate of the case. She stopped
unwllingly enough, seeing that he would not
follow her upstairs without some explanation,
and went on hurriedly:
"Well, sir, he came about an hour ago, and
asked for Miss Maud. She sent word, EN-
gagged but he said he mast see her, so she
went down. He was white as sheet. First
he talked loud, but at last he got to yelling
and pacing the floor like wild animal. l
got frightened and went up to the door just
now. He was standing against it, I know,
because she was asking him to let her out. |
don't suppose he'd hurt her, but he's in an
awful rage and-do come up"
He required no further urging. The idea
of the woman he loved being subjected even
to an unwelcome presence was terrible, and he
followed the excited girl upstairs without a
word of comment. She drew him into the
back parlor and whispered:
"Just stay here, and see that he don't hurt
her. I don't believe she'd like us to interfere
unless we had to-"
He nodded assent.
"No," came in laundering tones from the
next room. 81 aoiNmot allow you to retire un-
| til you have made me some reply. When you
inform me whether you love any one else l
will be satisfied, but not before. You say
there is no possibility Of your learning to love
me. wish to Judge for myself
Every we'll, SIR" and the lady's voice rang
forth scornfully clear. "Theu, be satis6ed-I
do love some one else. Now, I will pass"
But still he intercepted her.
"One word more" and that the words came
through clinched teeth was apparent to the
unwilling listener. "Is it your postman whom
you have honored with your affection ?'
The "postman" would have sprung forward
then, but the servant detained him. She be-
gan to think her fears had been somewhat
foolish, and was anxious, ifpossible, to remove
her companion without having any collision
between the two men. Had the folding doors
been transparent, Maud Murray would proba-
bly, have given her sneering questioner diff:
ferent answer; but utterly unsuspicious of the
proximity of the individual most concerned,
and anxious to bury her companions hope
beyond all possibility Of resurrection, she an
swered, as clearly as before
eff, by the postman, you refer to Alton
Burke, I will answer you"-and here she
paused to give the succeeding word due en-
phasis, eyes"
81 thought so," muttered the man while
Alton, doubling alternately his own sanity,
wakefuluess and hearing, listened in half
stupor. "But," with an insulting leer, 81
should have thoughtit itin better taste to choose
your coachman his livery is much more gen.
teel"
This was too much Pushing aside the girl
who vainly urged him to be quiet, Alton
Burke pushed open the door and stood before
the astonished couple. Maud Murray was too
dumbfounded even for bushes, and stood
without word, while he turned to the craven
before him,
"There is the door, sir. Make use of it."
"Colonel Gregory's bravery did not show
itself there, for, without word, he walked
from the room, and in moment more the
street door was slammed behind him. Then
Alton turned to the lady. The recollection OF
the confession made but moment before had
by this time crimsoned her face. 1t is uncer-
tain whether magnanimity or pride most
prompted Alton Burkes next speech but
there was assuredly considerable of the latter
, manifest as he said: