Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-04-24


at once-Albert cambridge or myself"
"You," she said gently. In his delight,
reckless ofeverything, with eager tenderness,
he pressed her to his heart, covering her fair
face with caresses. Overcome with confusion,
her cheeks dyed in bushes, Florimepd gently
disengaged herself, murmufing incoherent
words and trying with her soft voice and &C
cents like distilled honey, to soothe and calm
the impetuous spirit she had aroused.
"Forgive me, if I have been rude and i'm
pulsive," he said; "but it was cruel in you to
try me so long" ....
"Idid not mean to try you" said Florimond,
gravely. II was struggling with myself-my
own feelings. Ralph, you must be patient
with this-this prejudice of mine; prejudice
of education, which I will be able to over
come in time, I suppose, if you are patient
and gentle with me- But wish you to bear
in mind can be nothing to you, not even
your affianced wife, until am legally freed
from the VOWS which still bind me to another.
Remember, no more such liberties as you
have just taken, Or"
Il will not forget again" he said, penitent-
ly. "Pray forgive me this offense, and in pun
ishment to myself, will never again even
touch your dainty hand, until it belongs to
me rightfully. Oh! Florimond, you cannot
know the depth and the intensity of my love
for you. 1t frightens me when I think of it,
and how entirely my happiness is in your
hands"
"Whatever our future" said Florimond,
solemnly, "God give us strength to bear it,
and help US both to do our duty"
She hastened to change the subject by say
ing
By the way, Doctor, I wish now to explain
to you my reasons for not receiving Mrs. Suth-
erand when she called"
"The very thing wanted to ask you about"
said Ralph. "She told me this morning she
had met you on the street, and you cut her
dead. Icould not comprehend it,"
In few pithy words F1orimond told him
the incidents of that memorable visit.
"And now" she continued, "I'will not have
anything to do with her. She is the very
quintessence of petted sel6shness and wordli-
ness. A silken Sybarite who insulted me
when she knew I could no longer minister to
her luxury and give her la veuve Cicquot to
SIP"
II had no idea you had such temper"
said the doctor, laughing. "Your eyes fash
lightning-please don't ever annihilate me
with such look. But, seriously, 1assure you,
there is some great misunderstanding. Mrs.
Sutherland has heart as big as a Cardiff gi-
ant, and great slice oft belongs to you. She
put herself to personal inconvenience and per-
sonal expense to discover your whereabouts
when you disappeared from Avondale. Do
you remember the .'xact day of the month on
which the circumstance happened?"
ut was on the 12th-the very day / came
from Avondale."
"Ah! have it," said Ralph, clapping his
hand on his knee. "I knew there was some
dreadful mistake. There is Mrs. Redwood
in this city, who has been collecting money on
false pretenses. She has been annoying Mrs.
Sutherland, myself and others, great deal.
We could not rid ourselves Of her prosecutions.
I remember Mrs. Sutherland telling me, she
thought she had given her quietus at last
Notwithstanding her commands to her servant
to be cautious whom he admitted into the
house, one day he came to say Mrs. Redwood
wished to see her. Mrs. Sutherland says she
elevated her voice to high pitch and said,
"Tell her, I am engaged this morning and
cannot be annoyed
"Her very words" !" said Florimond, and
then slyly, "And did you take me for Mrs.
Redwood too?"
81! I take you for Mrs. Redwood? I'm.
possiblew
"Then why did you not know me-" said
Florimond. "On that unlucky day, none Of
my friends seemed to know me. I passed you
at arms length and you never noticed me-"
81 find it very hard to believe that" said
the doctor. 81 should know you among a
thousand. I suppose you are only trying to
mystify me"
mo, indeed What say is true as gos-
pei but please go to the door for me and dis
coverthe perpetrator of that ponderous knock.
Doctor Eglinton opened the door and ex-
changing few words to some one standing
outside, turned to Mrs. Ravenswood, saying
"NIrs. Tillst wishes to know if she can see
Berta"
"Berta has gone to bed," said Mrs. Ravens
wood, advancing toward the door; "but if
you will come again in the morning. Mrs. Till
sit, you can see her."
81 have brought her letter." said Mrs.
Tillsit, "which came the very day after you
left my house. But I did not know where to
find you, and So"
"a letterw exclaimed Mrs. Ravenswood;
"a letter for Berta"
eyes, a'am, and with my compliments,
please tell her not to forget her promise to
me-"
Every well-good night" and Florimond,
with the letter in her hand, walked back into
the room. Standing under the gaslight, she
examined it closely, blank astonishment de-
picted on her face.
"Why, who on earth can be writing to
Berta ?" she asked, abstractedly.
"Open it and find out" advised the doctor.
She turned it over for that purpose.
"Oh! Doctor" she cried, turning pale, "it
is sealed in black. Somebody is dead. I
cannot understand it."
Again she turned to the superscription.