Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-03-13
CHAPTER V.
MRS. cambridge DISCOVERS A NEW INTEREST
IN LIFE

MRS. DANDRIDGE DISCOVERS NEW INTEREST
After many long and painful meditations
on this last conversation with her granddaugh-
ter, Mrs. Summerville concluded to say moth
ing more on the subject. Knowing that many
months would probably elapse before the hus-
band and wife could meet each other again,
she hoped that Time, which changes all things
and modi6es all human feeling-aye alike
our fondest love or bitterest hate-would sof-
ten the angry thoughts and change the unholy
designs which now seemed to hold dominion
in Flormond's obdurate heart. Colonel Dan
bridge did not write to his wife again. When
it came to struggle of pride between these
two hearts it was, indeed, as when Greek
meets Greek. Mrs. Summerville, in accor-
dance with Albert's request, continued to
write to him occasionally to give him some
information as to his child's progress. The
child was evidently one of most delicate and
susceptible organization, but under the super
vision of a mother who watched it with unut-
terable fondness and anxiety, and a grand
mother equally anxious and devoted, it soon
began to thrive and grow in strength and
beauty. These efusive epistles to the father,
emanating from grandmother's doating heart,
Col. cambridge answered punctually, in all
kindness and respect, but always briefly; and
in none of them did he ever mention his wife's
name This was another humiliation to Flo
rimond's self love, until finally she would not
even read her husbands letters, nor vouchsafe
an inquiry as to his whereabouts and welfare.
The serpent of distrust and alienation once
admitted into the secret councils of the heart,
how soon are all the springs of affection dried
up-allits blooming flowers withered and dead.
But at last these letters, which Florimond
would not read, ceased suddenly to make their
appearance. For two months nothing was
heard of Col. cambridge. Florimond made
no sign. Ifshe felt any anxiety or Inexperienced
that worst of agonies-the agony of suspense
she kept it all to herself and said nothing.
One early morn, when Mrs. Summerville was
on her favorite seat in the piazza inhaling the
freshness of wly-awakened world, she saw,
in the morning paper, the announcement of
Col. Dandridgc's capture by the enemy, and
his having been conveyed prisoner of war to
Fort Delaware. The old lady wondered, with
in herself, what effect this news would have on
Flormond. She was sure the picture which
this fact suggested to the mind-a loathsome
prison, confinement, coarse food, uncongenial
companionship, sickness and disease perhaps,
and endless monotony, could not fail to touch
the refined and quick sensibilities other grand
daughter. No such thing! The old lady sent
the newspaper to Florimond with the an
nouncement marked in pencil, to draw her at
tention to it, and half an hour after, while she
sat in the same seat, occupied in painful
thoughts, she heard Florimond's voice singing
a merry ditty to the little Berta. And when
she made her appearance at the breakfast ta
BILE it was with brighter face, more cheer
full countenance than Mrs. Summervile had