Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-03-26


faith in her-whose honor was in her keeping,
and who called her Wife. Because expert
ence proved him unloveable, that was no just
reason why she should forget her VOW made at
Gods high altar! The hours went by while
she sat thus engaged in deep aud sad medita-
tions. The clock struck one-a long hour
past midnight. She rose to her feet exclaim-
ing
"So late So late! All how my sad
thoughts possess me They make me forget
even the flight of weary time -
She took up her night taper, and opening
the door, started out, only to pause in conster-
nation. Some one was descending the stair
case. She recognized the footsteps
20, it is hel" she whispered, in sudden
terror, standing there with bated breath and
totteriug limbs. Her heart beat so quickly
that it almost stiAed her. Her first impulse
was to make her escape from this interview
her second, was to remain where she was, and
facing the danger, to subdue all hope in the
mans heart forever.
With sudden decision, as she saw him ap.
preaching her, she re0pened the library door,
and entering with him, closed it with precau-
ton. The lamp she held lighted but dimly
that portion of the room in which they stood ;
the rest was in semi-darkness. She placed it
on table, and then turned toward Mcdonald,
whom she tremblingly regarded.
He took her little hand, which was cold
and clammy and quivering with excitement.
She withdrew it hastily.
90, am so alarmed p' she cried, in smoth
cred voice of terror.
"What is there to alarm you?" he asked.
20, go back to your room, instantly! Go,
do 20 p she pleaded.
But instead of obeying her anxious behest,
he caught her Land and pressed it passionate
ly to his lips, despite all the resistance she Of
fered.
II will not go" he said, stubborn passion
and reproach flashing in his eyes 81 will do
anything but that Order me to blow my
brains out at your feet, or stab myself; l will
do either thing before will leave you"
She still persisted in trying to release her
hand from his grasp; but he would not yield
it.
20, you are cruel, to persist sop she said,
in voice faint with excitement.
Struck by the anguish and alarm betrayed
in her tones, he instantly released her hand.
She reeled, and would have fallen, had he
not caught her in his arms. She was pallid,
as, afterward, when her shroud was wrapt
around her. He supported her to a sofa, and
there caressing her, and holding glass of
water to her lips, he revived her, so that
flush faint as the rose of dawn, boomed on her
cheeks
30, am so frightened" she commenced,
as soon as she could talk; 81 am afraid of
you-or for you! Do 60 away Please leave
me, for Gods sake|
She hid her face in her hands and shud-
dered.
He fell upon his knees before her and
sought to clasp her in his arms but she thrust
him away Indignantly.
"If you deem me worthy of your love, sir,
understand that I am also worthy of your
honor!"
Then rising with majestic and menacing
attitude, she pointed to the door.
"Cecela, you accuse me Of cruelty? 1t is
you who are cruel !" he exclaimed, in the sad.
dest accents; then his unconquerable passion
for the beautiful creature once more rising in
a Aood.tide of feeling, he said
"Fly with ME, Cecilia! Our lives hereaf.
ter will be lives of bliss-of unspeakable joy"
"Elope ?"-her voice was stern, her manner
imposing-"eOith youe Never never! Moth
ing could tempt me to forget my own self're-
spect-yours-an also the esteem of the
worldw
1t was tragic scene. This woman-beau-
tiful-impassionate-yet unapproachable in
her purity-looking down from the sublime
altitude of her pride upon the magnificent
man kneeling at her feet, suppliant for her
smiles and her love; the mellowed light of
the lamp-the dusky gloom of the richly'ap-
pointed mber-and outside, the raging
winds, with hoarse voices, foretelling misfor-
tune to the unhappy lovers!
Suddenly, Ceceia's cheeks blanched from
fear and trepidation. "Hark !" she said, "did
you not hear sound?'
Nothing, love! 1t is only your disordered
fancy that gives airy nothings form and
sound" he returned.
mo, no." she persisted ;"I am sure l heard
something!"
20, it was nothing at all p he replied, at
tempting to appease her alarm.
She shvered and glanced around her.
II am SO frightened" she said, 'the least
trife makes my heart heat to suffocation !!
And tonight am filled with terror that |
cannot overcome. O, that I were free to do
as | wish, without this dread gnawing at my
soul, like wolf.
"You are free-if you love me-" he an
swered her, tenderly.'
"Hist !' she interrupted him again, listening
with intense anxiety, for the sound that had
awakened her fears II thought / heard foot
steps on the stairs.
They paused-but heard nothing except
the monotonous moaning and signing of the
winds.
Once more she was, for the moment, reis-
sured once more she turned to Mcdonald
and gazed full in his eyes, her own beaming
with affection.