Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-03-13

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fine proportions, and he wore moustache Of
a rich nut brown color; his hair was of the
same shade and clustured in short thick waves
around his rather large, well.formed head.
In the easy and selfassured carriage and
gracefully poised head, there was the evidence
of perfect selfpossession, consummate selt-re-
lance, and, we may add, consummate self
consciousness of power. Indeed, the whole
appearance of this stranger indicated energy
of character, an unbending will, and the pos
session of those positive qualities of inward
strength which, if indefnable to the mind of
the general observer, is no less potent to COM
mand his admiration and respect. But the
young man having entered the house (with-
out ringing the bell as the doctor noticed) the
lecturer turned away from the window and
sought entertainment in globe of the celes-
tial bodies, which stood on a table near. He
became so much interested id this, and in cor
recting some problems which Florimond had
left lying on the table, he was not cognizant
of her unusually long absence. Being 80 we'll
employed, we will leave him.
Mrs. Summerville was sitting alone in the
family sitting room when Florimond, putting
her head hastily in at the door asked
"Where is Berta ?"
"She is asleep in the nursery" said the
grandmother and then asked
"Has the doctor gomez"
But Florimond heard not the question,
being by this time half way up the steps lead
ing to the second story.
A few moments after, Mrs. Summerville
heard mans step in the entry, but thinking
it the doctor, on the eve of departure, it ex-
cited no comment in her mind But the steps
came nearer, instead of receding, and finally,
after pausing for moment on the threshold,
entered the room where Mrs. Summerville
sat.
"Good Heavens if it isn't Albert. How
glad-how rejoiced I am-to welcome you
back"
"Thank ..you," said Albert cambridge, re-
ciprocating her cordiality, "and I-how glad
I am to be back again, and to see you"
"You hearty, handsome fellow" said Mrs.
Summerville, turning him around admiringly.
"You don't look bit like that poor, God
forsaken, despairing individual, you described
yourself in that last letter"
"You would not say 80, if you had seen the
forlorn object presented on my first arrival
at home"
$50 you went to your fathers 6rst?"
"Well, yes--of course did. The truth is,
scarcely knew whether to come here at all
or not, after the manner in which Florimond
has conducted herself toward me. l rather
feared being the unwelcome guest"
"Never to me-" said Mrs. Summerville; ;
"but declare, in my joy in seeing you I had
forgotten all that unfortunate matter. But
1 hope your presence will bring all right
Dear Albert, deal gently with Florimond.
I do not think you quite understand her; she
is made of different stuff from what we
thought You will find her very much
changed, and so much improved in every re-
spect! think her beauty has developed with
her intellect. think you will quite fall in
love with her again, and give her no farther
cause to complain of your Indifference. But
Albert, above all, be gentle with her; harsh
ness makes her obstinate"
"When have I ever been harsh toward
her =" demanded the Colonel, striding up and
down the room in some excitement. 1t is
true, I used to correct her faults and strive to
make her more dignifed. She was so untu-
tored and ungoverned, showed every emotion,
right or wrong. She used not to take such
correction unkindly, but here of late she has
been the very devil to manage. I suppose
you know she has never written line these
two long, weary years I have worried out ex-
istence in imprisonment"
"But you must forgive that and meet her
affectionately after such long absence, or
else you will never be reconciled."
"We never shall be reconciled," )" said Albert
angrily, "untl she huiisbly asks my pardon
for her-her unwomanly conduct My father
and mother both say her conduct has been
most silly and highly reprehensible, and that
she should be made to know her proper place.
It will be sometime before I can forgive her
nonsense and foolishness, even if she is prop
erly penitent."
"And it will be sometime" rejoined Mrs.
Summervile, with some Of Albert's own
warmth, before she forgives your having left
her to languish on bed of anguish and suffer-
ing, while you spent your leave of absence
amid scenes of pleasure. Your conduct has not
been guiltless, Sir, by any meansl Any man
who could treat his wife with neglect at such
time, is no better than brute"
The angry flush faded from Albert's face,
and a look Of genuine sorrow and regret sue
ceeded it.
81 admit was to blame there. I have
told her so and implored her forgiveness
would not grant it me! Oh! assure you,
I have regretted my course a hundred times,
especially in hours of languor and desponden-
cy in that wretched spot where my life has
stagnated during the last two years; where
having nothing else to do but think, and
think, I pictured to myself poor Florry's suf:
ferings, and in what heinous light my de-
sertion must have appeared to her. I should
have been here to soothe and comfort, even if
1 could not mitigate her suferings."
"You have no conception what she endur-
ed," said Mrs. Summerville, with fearful eyes.
1--WE thought every breath would be her last.
Such scorching fevers, which never cooled;
such pitiful emaciation, and her poor crazed