Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-10-02

Mason grew popular and successful every way
his cheerfulness seemed to Decline Though
! friendly with every one, he was confidential
with none. Though he must have known
that his addresses would be we'll received III
certain influential quarters, he paid court to
none of the beauties of Gopherton. Mis-:
HALEY herself-to whom gossip had begun
to asst On him, because it could not assign him
elsewhere-was extremely puzzled by his de-
meanor She had "summered and wintered
him." and never found any occasion to think
otherwise than well of him. She enjoyed his
handsome face opposite her at table, his
pleasant ways and fine singing. She was
| forced to confess to herself that cher boy
(she had almost conquered that romance
now was very delightful person for friend
but not in the least what she had imagined a
lover-her lover-must be. She could even
be sorry for him sometimes, he seemed so sad
and pre-occupied, though she did not know
how he demanded sympathy. Perhaps, after
all, it was only her imagination. Perhaps he
was too much at figures. Perhaps he was
homesick. All who held the strings of his
heart in the old home? Then Miss HALEY
mused again, and declared to herself that she
was sorry for him, but not the least interested
in him; that is to say, not the least IN love
with him.
Summer fled; Winter followed and May
came back once more. The Sabbath School
Superintendent decreed a picnic; and once
again, as in previous years, the whole OF re-
spectable Gopherton turned out to eat, drink
dance, swing and sing, among the whispering
pines. All these things had been done, and
thoroughly enjoyed, also when, somehow-she
never quite knew how it happened-Miss
HALEY had strayed away, as usual, to queter
places, and found herself standing with Mr.
Mason, upon the Identical spot where she had
found him the year before When she per,
ceived that this was the place, she laughed a
little, not seeming to think anything Of it, and
said, rather saucily:
81 found man under these bushes last
year. An odd thing to find, was it not? -,
"Do you keep what you find, Miss Halley?'
asked Mason, quietly, but with certain in.
tensty Of expression in his voice.
"That is the children's rule" she answered,
smiling; "leastways if no owner can be found.
have not advertised my 'fnd,' thinking if
he had an owner he would return of himself"
"And if he had no owner would you keep
him? Please answer ME candidly, Miss Hal
ley"
'"Oh 1 don't know, I'm sure. It would
depend upon his value, wouldn't it."
"And you do not value me very highly; is
that your answer?'
"No; of course, l value you-you know |
do am quite certain [ have shown it. But
in the sense that you put it'-she added,
blushing and faltering-
"You do not? Miss HALEY, l wish, in
stead of saving my life, you had tumbled me
down this cliff: I was unconscious of my
misery then. shall always be conscious of
it now"
"Why should you be miserable, Mr.. Ma
SON? | have never seen any one with greater
chances of happiness"
because the one thing I covet can not
have 1t is the old story. The desire of
the moth for the star
"Ah now you are not like my boy whom
found under these bushes last year. He was
a delightful fellow-cheerful and friendly al
ways, and did not want to be rolled over a
cliff: Fie, Mr. Mason! Let us 60 away di-
rectly, before something happens to u.s."
Miss HALEY was piqued that her lover had
snatched at such words as could be construed
into refusal. Again she said to herself !:
He is not my ideal of lover. My lover
must have ardor enough to press his suit; l
will never 90 half" And still the resolution
cost her something. She was disappointed
and a little bitter Why had he spoken at
all, if he did not mean to have it made clear ?
She was sure she should never accept him.
He had surprised her, and hurt her pride he
was, in fact, altogether odious now.
These reflections, very much jumbled to-
gether, were passing through Miss Halleys
mind while she beat the ground with her par
asol, waiting for Mr.. Mason to move. Sud
denly she turned back. He was standing
dangerously near the brink Of the precipice-
so frightfully near that her terror overcame
every other consideration. Pale and breath
less, she stretched out her hand to him.
"Come, for Gods sake!'
"Say for my sake Marion" he answered,
pale as she.
"For my sake, Walter" she almost shrieked,
and then burst into tears, like any silly wo-
man.
In an instant he was at her side, his arms
around her. If she had thought him lacking
in fervor and the lovers pride and tenacity
of possession before, she revoked that opinion
now. The change was wonderful. He was
so elate that he seemed to tread on air, and
bear her along with him. His beauty, which
had seemed to fade away lately, grew resplen-
dent. Miss HALEY, when her eyes were clear
again, looked at him in q sort Of delighted
wonder.
Il have found my boy again" she said,
with an attempt at gayety; "the very same
that he used to be. Oh! wonderful boy, nev'
er hide yourself any more"
"Hold me close, darling. Never let go my
hand, or l shall sink again into perdition.
What did 1 say? Who talks of perdition,
with my soul in paradise? Marion, you will
cling to me always?"
Il shall not promise, if you frighten me
again as you did to-day" said Marion, now
been of his coldness. 81 shall want to sec
how you bear your reverse of fortune"
"Did l frighten you into acceptance, Ma
rion % asked he with quick jealousy.
"Oh! knew you wouldn't let yourself
fall" she answered, laughing and blushing, as
she remembered her late resolves
What more was said is not relevant to this
story. All Gopherton heard the news next
day Of the engagement Of MIR. Mason and Ma
rion HALEY, who had been seen walking arm
in-arm with certain conscious looks upon their
faces which were easily interpreted. There
were few who "made remarks" but most
people considered it a very good match for,
though the money was all on the lady's side,
the beauty, talent, agreeableness, and general
popularity of the two were about equal and,
while women acknowledged the fitness of each