Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-04-10

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will never give me such love as Ralph Eglin-
ton feels for me"
Which no doubt was very true. The mas
ter spring of Albert Dandridges life was an
ambition which consumed his soul; his next
strongest passion was pride, and then came
love; whereas, in Ralph's case, the love SUR
passed and outweighed all other emotions.
This thought upset all of Florimond's deci-
sion. Again she arose and began pacing the
room in violent agitation. In such mental
conflict the long hours slowly waned, and still
Florimond was a prey to uncertainty; her
mind swaying first to one side and then to the
other. She would think of Ralph's devoted
ness, which to her sad, yearning heart, pinlng
all her life for just such love, was
"More sweet than amber honey to the bee."
And then she would revert to Albert, her
youthful ideal, the husband to whom she had
pledged those early vows, who had first led
her footsteps in the fowery paths Of Love-
Time and separation, and that glamo1 OF re-
membrance which always hovers like halo
DER scene, of the past, rendered his beauty
and his attractive qualities more vivid in her
recollection, and softened her revengeful feel
ings for his GOODNESS and shortcomings. More
over, there was in Florimond's composition a
certain peculiarity-a headstrong obstinacy
of emperament-which made her very tena-
cious of her sentiments and opinions She
had-with or without reason-loved Albert
cambridge most fondly; she would, with or
without reason, continue to love him. But
on this night her heart was torn with fear
full struggle.
"Oh! my God," she cried, chow shall I
choose between these two-the man whom
love, or the man who loves me; the cold
heart which loves me not, or the warm heart
whose every pulsation is one of love!'
She went to the side of the bed on which
Berta was lying asleep, and falling on her
knees said
my child, my innocent child, tell me what
I must do! Guide me in your innocence
Must I reward that loving heart-he would
be kind to thee-or must I be true to your
father, for your sake, who has never known
fathers love. Tell me, Berta ?"
Thus appealed to, Berta moved restlesslyin
her sleep, disclosing one of her little hands,
in which she held something, which glittered
in the light. Florimond perceived it. 1t was
the antique locket-the most precious to the
child of all her possessions-the gift Of that
unknown father, invested by her youthful i'm
agination with untold and indescribable
charms. The locket was open, and the dark
intellectual eyes of Albert cambridge seemed
to search his wife's face with an earnest gaze.
Florimond uttered slight cry, and took it
from the grasp of the unconscious child.
"Albert, you have conquered" she said,
pressing the picture to her lips. "Notwith-
standing all your coldness, your neglect
your-Oh! Albert, if you would only love
me! But in the secret recesses Of my heart,
there is still lingering hope that we may be
yet reinited, reconciled, happy in each other /;
and may yet hear from your lips the life
giving words, "Florimond, I love only you"
With copious tears, she buried her head
on the bed, and prayed as she had never
prayed since the unhappy hour when unfor.
giving animosity had entered her heart against
her husband. She arose perfectly calm, and
taking her seat, remained for long time en-
gagged in thought
"And now," meditated Florimond, "being
determined against the divorce, what am l to
do with Ralph? I cannot see him again. 1t
would be too distressing to witness his passion
ate despair. I cannot do it. I must fly.
Poor Ralph"
But there was no time for regrets. Once
decided in mind, Florimond was quick in ac-
ton. She was already partially packed, in
anticipation of an early move in some direc-
ton and now she hastily completed her ar
rangements. This done, she threw herself
beside Berta for few minutes repose. 1t
being absolutely necessary that she should see
Mrs. Sutherland before bidding final adeu
to this part of the world, Florimond took an
early train back to the city. She hoped there
to sell her jewels to advantage, and thus pro-
cure money for her contemplated journey !;
for Notwithstanding Florimond's refusal of
Doctor Eglinton's kind offer, her pocket was
empty when she had settled her board bill
and bought tickets back to the city.
There was, as usual, on the arrival of the
train, large crowd around the depot, and
Florimond, holding tightly to Berta's hand,
was pushing and fighting her away through
the heaving mass, when she was accosted by a
familiar voice.
"Why, goodness me, if it isn't Mrs. Ravens
wood How do you do, maam?"
1t was former servant, by name, Sarah.
II am very glad to meet you, Sarah" said
her former mistress. "Come this way, I wish
to have talk with you. Can you tell me
where to find Mrs. Edmunds?'
"She is living in - street." said Sarah,
mentioning an obscure street, of whose exis-
tence Mrs. Ravenswood's aristocratic ears had
never heard mention before.
"Well, could you show me the way there ?"
asked the lady, hesitatingly; very unused to
ask favors.
"Why, surely you will not walk? ?"
"I'm obliged to walk now," said Florimond,
swallowinga a huge lump in her throat
II heard you had lostall your money" said
Sarah, rudely, and in such manner as the
rich Mrs. Ravenswood had never witnessed in
a servant before. "Well. every dog has his
day."
"For that matter" said Florimond, bitterly