Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-06-25

OF making tne ureaueu Coulcssiou, t1iu osniiIs
him for assistance and advice; but then came
the reflection that Russelps machination
must, in that case, be brought to light; ane
Russell, if betrayed, would turn upon hin
and reveal more than he wanted to disclose
Besides, he was pledged to Russell, and how
could he honoraJly break the compact between
them?
Altogether the prospect before him seemed
very hopeless, and it was no wonder that poor
Sydney, lying on his couch of weariness
groaned in spirit at the thought of his wasted
life and wanton follies, and the unhappiness
and disgrace that seemed likely to result from
such course, and was tempted to regret that
the accident which so nearly proved fatal had
not put an end to it altogether.
Mrs. Norton had abscnted herself more
than usual from his room that day, and he
began to long, restlessly, for her presence
Col. Hollingwood had paid him his usual at
ternoon visit, but found him rather dull and
disinclined to- talk, for he was, in truth, in nc
mood to respond to the old gentleman's cheer,
full sallics. 1t grew darker and darker, and
no one came; at last he reached for the bell
rope, which hung near the head of his bed,
and gave it an impatient jerk.
A chambermaid answered the summons.
elias Mrs Norton gone out ?" he asked.
II don't know, sir do you want her ??
"See if she's at home, and if she is, ask her
to be good enough to come here"
The girl obeyed, and after considerable
interval, just as Sydney was considering tie
expediency of ringing the bell again, the door
opened and the house-keeper made her ap-
pearance.
"Mrs. Norton, why hare you stayed away
so long?" he asked, in the fretful tone of a
spoilt child "Here I've been lying all alone
in the dark, since, I can't tell when. |
thought you were gone out"
II have been out-a little distance" said
the house-keeper, in a strange, tremulous sort
of voice. She quickly lit the candle, drew
the curtains, and kindled some pine-knots in
the fireplace to give the room a cheerful look ;
then seated herself in corner out OF sight.
"Do come where l can see you" said sgd
ney, in the same impatient manner. 81 hate
to see nobody in the room, and if you 90 off
there it's almost the same as if you were not
here"
She Immediately rose, and placing chair
near the bedside, sat down in it; but not
facing him. This, however, did not satisfy
him.
Gam so ugly that you don't want to look
at me ?" he asked, half:laughing, for he was
tired of being moody, and wanted little
rejection. "Will you be kind enough to turn
this way?"
Mrs. Norton had wonderful selfcontrol.
For an instant it seemed impossible for her
to accede to his request a look Of wild, help
less agony crossed her face, and she clenched
her hands so tightly together that the nails
left their imprint in the delicate flesh. But
in moment of time the brief spasm was
over; and her face, though deadly pale, was
as composed as usual, when she turned it obc,
diently toward him.
"Thank you. l like to be able to look at
people when l talk to them. Ihope you don't
think me very unreasonable, or very rudc?"
The pallid lips formed the word "no."
81 take an iuvalid's privilege, you see and
tyrannize over my nurses. But is anything
the matter with you this evening? You look
i'll, l think"
"Oh no; am quite we'll"
81 know you are fatigued with nursing me-
Now do, please, oblige me by going to bed
tonight end taking good rest; Lefty can
sleep on the floor in the dressingroom, and
I'll call her if I want anything"
''I am not tired-I-I can not go-I mean,
I prefer to sit up"
"Sit up! but you don't do that, hope
you sleep on the sofa in there, don't you p
"Yes-oh yes; that is what | meant"
"Well, if you will, can't prevent you. l
am sure you are very good to me" said sgd
ney.
Again that sudden clenching of the hands,
that stihed, quick drawn breathing; but she
was forced to control hcrcouutenance, because
he was watching her.
"Do you know" he continued, presently,
"that I've been so miserable all day, I've been
thinking it would be mercy if somebody
would put an end to me?"
Mrs. Norton covered back in her chair.
"Why should you talk that way?" she
asked, family.
"Why, because l mean it. Don't look 50
horrGed! You have no idea what it is tn be
driven to the verge of despair by a combina'
ton of circumstances which one has no power
to alter l shall have to fight giants when
get up off Of this bed, Mrs. Norton, and I'm
afraid they'll prove too many for me"
"You'll have to get a little more strength
than you have now, before you are able to
fight anything"
She forced herself to utter the words, feel
ing that she must say something mattered
not what.
"Yes but am afraid even that won't help
me. O, dear-dear!" he added, with long
weary sigh, as he moved reslessly on his pill
low 81 talk lightly, but its no light matter
l assure you"
She was silent, waiting for him to 60 on
When he spoke again it was in different
strain.
"Mrs. Norton, do you know that you remind
me very much of some one that | used tc
know, or have seen somcwhere-I can't tell
,rhn2 | have often tried TO find out"