Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-03-27
CHAPTER XII.

Mrs cambridge with, no doubt, the highly
advantageous assistance of the little Berta,)
was experimenting her packing, in readiness
for their contemplated return to town. The
country was dull for Berta, and Mrs. Dand
ridge pined for the society of her only init
mate friend, Madame Ignatius. Her thoughts
we're occupied with this same friend, when
Charity came to say that "Charles had come
and wished to speak with her."
"Charles?" said Florimond, in surprise; 81
did not expect him. Why did he Gomez"
~ do not know, ma'am."
"Well, tell him to come in, I suppose" said
Florimond, musingly, as Charity left the
room che has come to give warning. Oh
these dreadful days of emancipation"
But it soon transpired that Charles had
come for very different purpose. He had
walked forty miles, to tell "young Missus" not
to take the baby back to town, for there had
been two gentlemen prowling around the
house-Mr. Henry cambridge and lawyer
Ashley-asking where the family were, and
when Mrs. cambridge was coming back, and
offering to pay Charles handsome sum, if he
would entice the little Berta out to them some
day, as soon as possible.
81 said I would think about it," said the
excited Charles, "only wanting to deceive
them but I started right out, that very day,
Miss Florry, to beg you not to bring the baby
back to town."
"Oh! the inhuman wretches," exclaimed
Florimond, in great excitement, "who would
separate mother and her child. Why, they
have no right to her-neuer any moral right
nor even any lawful right, for months hence
yet they wish to take her from me by unlaw'
full strategy-in short, steal her away
Eyes, they do" said Charles "they said
her father did not wish her to stay any longer
with you, for you would only teach her tt
hate him"
GAS if I could stoop so low" said Flori
mond, her face painfully flushed and her fea
lures agtated, $50 low as 70 teach my child tc
hate her own father She has no right tc
hate him. No doubt, with the opportunity
he would prove to her the most noble and
the fondest of fathers He who readeth all
hearts and weigheth the motives in just
balance will acquit me of any such base in
tention or design, so let them judge me as they
please"
"But don't you take her back to town, per-
sisted Charles"
"No, I will not, Charles you are right
there. Here" she continued, putting into
his hand well-flled purse, "here is double
the amount Of money, they would have paid
you for stealing my child away from me, and
I give you, besides, the warmest gratitude o1
my heart"
"Thank you, Miss Forry-thank you
ma'am. There never was better missus
than you, nor more swecter lady, which ]
always will say, in spite of them town folks
which have no kind look or word for you
being as how you will not live alongside O
mass Albert. But I will always stick by
you, Miss Florry, long as you needs faithful
servant"
Florimond was touched by his fidelity, and
gave suitable reply. Having dismissed
Charles, she wrote Immediately to her lawyer
telling him to come up without delay, as she
wished to consult him on matter of the
highest Importance. The result of this con-
sultation was, that Mrs. cambridge made in
stant and hasty preparation for a long jour
ney to distant part of this broad Republic
On certain day, however, previous to hel
departure, she left Berta with country neigh
bor, and went alone back to town and to the
convent to see Madame Ignatius. Florimond
felt she could not leave without bidding adieu
to her, and telling her what she would moi
disclose to any other human being, the prob
able locality of her new home, the disguises
her new life would assume, and the various
methods she would use to prevent any suspi
cion or discovery of her future whereabouts
Ringing at the familiar postern gate, through
which she had passed almost every day fol
the last few years, Susan's familiar face ap
peared at the gate
"How do you do, Susan?' said Florimond
with a mournful smile of recognition. In
stead of her usual hearty greeting, Susan burs
into tears
"You have heard, then?" she said, through
sobs.
"Heard what2" interrogated Florimond
growing pale and feeling weak.