Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-01

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care they engaged?" asked gentleman,
who heard one of these remarks.
Eyes, positively"
"Who is he ?" and continuing to ask ques-
tions until be received all the information he
wanted, the inquisitive stranger remarked
"she ought to do well-she is a brilliant
woman. I saw her acting last night"
Outside, the stars shone clear and bright.
1t was an exceedingly cold night, which per-
haps Ralph thought sufficient excuse for
nearly smothering FlorimCnd in warm wrap
ping and tender solicitude. The ride was
long, but all too short for Ralph. The gas
was shining dimly in the parlor, and glow
ing fire burning in the CRATE.
"May come in and light my cigar" asked
Ralph at the door.
eyes, of course"
He lit his cigar and still fingered.
"Good.night, Florry."
"Good-night, or rather good'morning," said
Florimond, smiling.
Ralph put his head in at the door.
"Don't forget our engagement tomorrow at
four-precisely."
"No," said Florimond, smothering yawn.
"Ill not forget to be ready punctually.
She though he was certainly gone this time,
and placing her white satin-slippered feet on
the CRATE, proceeded to warm them thoroughly.
Hearing slight noise, she looked up and
Ralph was standing beside her.
II do not know what on earth possesses me
tonight" he said apologetically, in answer to
her look of inquiry. cannot tear myself
away from you, Florimond. Can you realize
that we are to be married in a week ??
"Icannot, really" said Florimond, blushing
vividly.
"You have thrown off your wrappings too
suddenly, don't you think p was his next re-
mark. "Pray do not catch cold"
"Not particle of danger" answered Flori-
mond. "The room is so warm"
"Well, I really must not keep you up any
longer. Doyou know of any reason, my Flo
rimond, why should dread to leave you to-
night more than any other night%
II do not, indeed" said Florimond, looking
at him in blank surprise.
In moment, his arms were enfolding her,
and he was pressing her again and again to
his heart, and kissing her again and again on
her red lips, while he whispered, in low pas
sionate accents
"My red rose, my lilly white,
My treasure, unfading bright,
Darling my souls delight.
With the recollection of this delicious mo-
ment still vivid in his mind, thrilling in his
veins, and quickening the pulsations Of his
heart, Ralph ran up the steps Of Mrs. Ra-
venswood's boarding house, the next day, as
the clock was striking four. He was making
his way, as usual, to the lady's private parlor,
when maid-servant accosted him and hand
ing him slip of crumpled paper, said
"Mrs. Ravenswood told me to hand you
this"
He took it in unfeigned surprise. 1t was a
piece torn from the margin of newspaper,
folded over once and directed to his name in
lead pencil. Within, written so irregularly
and in such perceptible haste, it was almost
impossible to decipher the characters, were
the words:
81 cannot keep the engagement this afternoon
please excuse me-cannot see you until to-mor-
row. FLoR1MoND.
"Has Mrs. Ravenswood gone out?" asked
Doctor Eglinton, when he had read this
scrawl.
"No, sir"
"Where is she?"
"In the parlor, sir"
He took several steps in the direction of the
door, and then turning suddenly, came back,
asking
"Has she companyP
eyes, sir"
"Do you know who it is?'
"Colonel- -Colonel-I cannot think Of his
name, sir"
"Harrington?" suggested the DOCTOR
eyes, sir, that is it-Colonel Harrington p
Ralph turned on his heel and left the house,
a very fierce expression about his fine blue
eyes and frown on his face, and dark Othel-
lo.like suspicious in his breast.
"Why the devil should she break her en-
gagement to me on his account-or anybodys
account" he muttered angrily.
Then he thought of her in all her ravishng
beauty and tenderness of the night before;
how she had nestled in his arms, how her heart
had throbbed against his own, how she had
received his passionate VOWS, his tremulous
caresses, and promised again, in low soft tones,
to become his bride in one short week
"Pshaw" said Ralph, by this time in his
office, 81 will not be fool. I know she is
good and true, and that she is not deceiving
me. I trust her as I would an angel. God
less my darling! She has some good rea-
son, I know, for thus disappointing me this
afternoon" and for short space he was pen
itent on commensurate scale, with his for
mer injustice. He tried to read, he tried to
smoke, he took a walk-it would not 90 !
Again the crumpled paper came out of his
pocket 1t was certainly a suspicious looking
document. Where was she? What was she
doing that she could not find better piece of
,,,or9 And thop tho writino-it was no