Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-05-28
CHAPTER TX.

! CHAPTER TX.
Mr.. Sydney Temple, pacing the moonlit
piazza with a cigar between his lips, after the
family had retired for the night, indulged in
meditations that were not Of an exhilarating
nature, to judge from the moody and concen'
trated expression of his face He was, in
fact studying problenl-how, having suf'
fered himself to be got into a fix, he could
get himself out again without compromising
himself or any one else.
"It's always the way with mel" he sighed,
at last, in weary tone, as, having finished his
cigar, he threw the end of it away, and leaned
against pillar, whence, with contemplatve
eye, he regarded the clouds as they chased
each other rapidly across the moon. "Im the
most unlucky fellow in creation I'm always
going wrong, and I can't help it. Now, why
on earth should 1 have allowed myself to be
persuaded that it was the right and proper
thing to come here, and ask girl to marry
me whom don't want to marryH 1t has to
be done, suppose, since everybody expects
it; but must own it will be an uncommon
BORE My only comfort is, that she'll most
likely refuse me. She certainly does not
evince any particular softness toward me; she
is as cold and unbending as steel. That other
little one think, would be much more apt
to have me, if were to ask her-which
have no intention of doing, however. The
fact is, I've serious objection to marrying
I never cared but for one person, really, and
that person -. Well let the past rest
I wonder when George is coming. He said
he'd run up in few days time. I suppose
the old gentleman will ask him here, if he
discovers that he's a particular friend of mine
I'm sure, if he'd take all this trouble off my
hands, and marry the heiress for me, I'd be
uncommonly glad-if l can ever be 6 lad OF
anything again"
Another sigh, deeper and more prolonged
than the first, ended the soliloquy. Evident,
ly the pressure Of circumstances was bearing
heavily upon him. Irresolute still, and wa
vering as ofyore, Charles Sydney Temple was
forever finding himself the victim of the most
complicated tolls of fate, forever vainly trying
to shift the responsibility of his conduct on
shoulders more able or willing to bear it than
his own. One dark deed in the past had left
a cloud hanging over him which could not be
dispelled, and Memory was constantly holding
it up to his view. And yet, in this, as in al
most every other sin and error of his life, he
had been but tool in unworthy hands. A
poor vindication, truly; yet how many men,
not wckedly disposed, have siDned, and do
sin daily, for lack of frmness to combat a
stronger will than their own.
George Russell, Sydney's evil genius, had
made arrangements to pay little visit to
Grecnvillc, hoping to be invited on his arri-
val there to join his friend at Holingwood
House. He was anxious to ingratiate him
self with the family there, and to promote, if
possible, the desired union between Sydney
and Ellinor. He foresaw that this match,
should it take place, would be of immense
advantage to him, for Ellinor's large inberi-
tance, once in Sydney's hands, would be as
good as at his disposal-at all events, he hoped
and expected to reap considerable benefit
therefrom. His influence over Sydney had
grown and strengthened with years; portion
of the not very large property, which old Mr..
Temple had bequeathed to his grandson with
the family name, had already passed into his
| (Russells) hands, and thence into the hands
of sundry of his creditors, class of individu-
ais whose name was Legion but Sydneys rel
atives were not cognizant Of this, nor of the
many pecuniary entanglements in which his
so-called friend had managed, in one way or
another to involve him. In order to extri-
cate himself from these, it seemed as though
the only course left open for him to pursue
was to form wealthy connection and it was
this consideration which had induced him to
listen with some favor to his uncle's represen-
tations of the extreme desirableness of his un-
ion with Ellnor Hollingwood- plan which
had been agtated in the councils Of both
families while yet the parties whose interests
it most nearly concerned were nothing but
children, as Col. Holingwood had informed
his grandchild.
care you young folks going for ride this
pleasantafternoon2 ?" enquired the Colonel, one
day, as they sat around the dinner table.
81 shall not be able to 60" quietly answered
Ellinor, "for have something to attend to at
home
"And so have T." said Kate, who was, per-
force, obliged to follow her friends lead
"In that case," said Sydney, who had of
course, waited for the ladies to speak first, Il
think shall ride into town and see the train
come in 1 ain expecting friend of mine up
this evening, and should like to meet him."
"a friend ofyours, ha? Who is he ?" asked
the old gentleman.
Russell is his name, sir-George Russell; ;
perhaps you may know something of the FAM
ily,"
"One of the Columbia Russells ?"
"The family are from Stateburg, sir, but
they have lived in Columbia good many
years"
"Lct's see; is he son of Judge Russell,
who died about three years ago"
"The same, sir"
81 used to know his father we'll, once upon
time; but that was long ago-this son you
speak of must have been a mere lad at the
time. Who is he going to stay with?"
"No one that l know of, sir-he will most
likely put up at the hotel"
MPrau ask him to do nothing of the sort.