Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-04-24
Au 0rigimal sturg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
FLORIMOND;
DIVORCE OR No DIVORCE.
By MRS. CLARK WARING.
, CHAPTER XIII.

BERTA RECEIVES LETTER.
II need not make enquiries on the score of
health this evening"" said Doctor Eglinton,
entering Mrs. Ravenswood's elegant, coquett-
ish little parlor, one balmy summers eve, and
shaking hands with the lustrous-eyed object
of his idolatry, "for you are as radiant as the
Evening star"
"Thank you," said the lady, who, attired in
the purest white, withlaces and jewels worthy
to adorn an Empress, looked again the grande
dame of Wabash avenue. 81 am feeling so
we'll, think I shall, perforce, be compelled to
abdicate all the rights and privileges of in
validism. Ali mere; miNe:tois for these su-
perb flowers! Your prodigality of these bios
soming sweets makes me the envy of the
whole house." and Florimond glanced slight
" at three or four collections of exotics scat
tered about the room, making the air soft and
languid with their perfume. The doctor was,
meantime, searching among the flowers which
Florimond still held in her hand, and selecting
several sprays of scarlet geranium said
"Put this in your hair, and this IN your
brooch"
Smilingly, she obeyed him.
"Now you are perfect" he said, regarding
the effect with appreciation.
"My toilette, you mean," said Mrs Ravens
wood, coloring beueath his protracted gaze.
"Well, since I owe the restoration Of my be-
loved jewelry and dresses to your indefatiga'
BILE exertions, am glad to please you in the
matter of DRESS By the way, do you recog-
nize these jewels p
They were antique gems of exquisite beau
ty-rare fesh-colored chalcedony-the scuip-
ture representing beautiful female head and
bust, supposed to be the celebrated Eucharis.
To examine them more closely, the doctor sat
on footstool at Mrs. Ravenswoods feet, and
after regarding them attentively, said
II think I have seen my mother wear them"
eyes," said Florimond; "she gave them to
me and other rare articles, which, as keep
sakes from her, value beyond expression"
II have several magnificent sets of jewelry,"
said the doctor, 'all labeled in her own dear
hand, For Ralph's wife, All! little did she
know-would God she could have known
whose fair person they will adorn some day"
ITO my mind, it is doubtful matter whom
that fair person may be-perhaps some one
whom you have never yet seen, said the lady,
giving him coquettish glance from under her
heavy lashes.
"If thought there was any doubt about
it," said Ralph, passionately, 81 should do as
poor Clement Dupres did; I should slay my
self Just here at your feet"
"Oh nonsense" said Florimond. "No,
you would not you would act more nobly.
You would bear your disappointment like
man, and seeking some other woman worthy
of your generous heart, place your affection
upon her and while making her the happiest
of women, be yourself happy man,"
81 cannot play at battledore and shuttlecock
with my Affections" exclaimed Ralph, deeply
hurt. 81 almost wish l could, since 1t would
please you so much! Why are you always
talking to me in this strain? Do you wish to
make me miserable, by inculcating in my mind
suspicion that you desire I should be disap-
pointed in my fondest hopes?"
"God forbid that any word or act of mine
should ever make you miserable" said Florl-
mond in low voice; "but you seem so GER
tain about the divorce, and being so, the dis
appointment would be so heavy; whereas, If
YOU we're prepared for failure"
"The divorce shall be obtained" said Ralph,
vehemently. II am determined on it, and,
moreover it shall be accomplished as speedily
as possible 1 have not spoken to you about
it recently, because feared it might excite
your mind and retard your recovery; but now
l wish to know if I have your consent to take
the necessary steps?" "Yes," said Florimond,
her voice scarcely audible.
"Then why do you turn so pale? What
is the matter? Why do you tremble SOP
Receiving no answer to these impatient ques-
tions, Ralph arose and paced the room in vio-
lent agitation. He came back, and occupying
the footstool again, said
II do not wish to force your inclinatlons,
Florimond. If you do not wish to marry me
say so, and I will go away and never come
near you again"
"Dear Ralph, you do not at all appreciate
my painful position or you would not be angry
with me. HAlbert cambridge were no longer
a living man, I would place this hand in yours
and say, Take me-heart and soul I am
yours but as long as I have husband liv-
ing, it seems to me it is not right to marry
another. I cannot reconcile it to myself"
even when all his rights over you, and all
your vows to him, are rendered null and void
by the law~
"Yes-even them"
"Well, to me" said Ralph, "it seems very
hard case that his mere existence, separated
from you as he has been by years of time and
thousand miles Of space, should prevent your
marrying another and blessing another, who
loves you devotedly."
Hebroke off abruptly and there was dead
silence. At last Ralph raised his face pain
fully agitated and flushed.
"At least, Florimond, you must decide this
matter at once-now and forever. Which
shall it be, Albert cambridge or myself?'
II have already promised to be governed
by your Wishes" faltered Florimond.
"From that promise release you," said
Ralph, coldly. "You are now free to choose
between us.
Florimond fingered nervously with the dia.
..l;aL e.loa nod ON har Gnnars and