Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-03-05


first time, l regarded her attentively. She
was young and beautifully formed | could
tell that by the arm with which l clasped her
plant body! A navy blue bathing costume,
open at the snowy throat, was only an en-
hancement to her beauty. She opened her
eyes and looked at me with startled expires.
sion when she heard my voice, and then closed
them weariy. l thought them the finest eyes
1 had ever beheld. Opening them again, she
glanced over my shoulder in the direction of
the under-tow, and shuddered Next, they
were fixed on me, and the expression of hor-
ror changed to one of gratitudc-almost ten
derness.
"I was so near death, and you saved me!
she said in a sweet low voice | pressed her
to my heart and bade her not talk-she was
too weak She obeyed me- and was silent; ;
but the loveliest imaginable blush, stained like
wine, the lilly whiteness of her cheek, when
she felt the pressure of my clasping arm.
II bore her ashore. Meanwhile, the per-
sons who accompanied her in the surf joined
US. There were two other ladies and four
gentlemen A tall, elegant-looking fellow
fastened to her side, and taking her hand
said: My God! I am so grateful that you
are saved. My very heart stood still. l should
have dared the perils of the under-tow myself
had not this gentleman anticipated my gal
lantry!' Thanks, said the beauty, coldly;
pray reserve your heroics for the other ladies'
"The ladies Joined her at their bathhouse,
and then went to change my own attire.
Ny mind and heart were filled with the beau
tiful unknown her sylph-like grace and gold
en- hair had bewitched and entangled me
forever. could not tell then-cannot now
what mysterious instinct bound me to that
woman! | had seen and known many who
we're more beautiful, and been completely in
different but she caught me at once. The
sngularity ofour first meeting, doubtless, had
something to do with this feeling. Having
saved her life, my heart claimed her as mine.
When l met her later in the evening, on one
of the walks, she gratifed me with smile
and the extension of her hand, and introduced
herself to meas 'Ceceia Harwood.'"
"Cecelia Harwood?' said the artist.
"No Interruptions, if you please, or l will
discontinue my story"
"Go on, then
"Well, among the party was a rough old
soldier, by the name of Fessendcn-Colonel
Vaughn Fessenden He beset the beauty
with attentions and she had an ug ly, conceted
aunt who favored his addresses to her. To
this aunt devoted myself, and so far won her
confidence as to receive an invitation to visit
them in New York. Fessenden did not seem
to like the favor shown me but l didn't care
a snap for that. I loved Cecilia madly, and
would have done any thing to insinuate my
self in her good graces. But strange to say,
few days before the party left Nantucket, at
the end of the season, from giving me the
happiest encouragement, Cecilia seemed to
grow cold and Indifferent. After mature
thought, came to the conclusion that she
had been spoiled by too much adulation, and
that she was coquetting with me. l resolved
to ignore her treatment, and left Nantucket in
advance of them, without telling her goodbye.
When they returned to New York and the
season opened, I paid my first visit to No.
10, Fifty-fourth street.
"Cecelia came in with her aunt. She was
not surprised at my visit but seemed to expect
it. Time wore on. l was constant visitor
at No. 10. My welcome was always warm
with the aunt, and Cecelia's manner-con6-
ding and gracious, and her eyes, tender and
loving-said more, in language more effective
than words-a language | could not mistake
Still, did not avow myself suitor, and /
paid to other young ladies in society as much
attention as I showed to her. TO her aunt |
was perfectly devoted; for her regard was my
passport into the presence of my darling, at
whose feet longed to throw myself and con-
fess my passion for her. The absorbing
strength of it astounded Inc. l had once
vowed never to marry; but my mind was
completely changed. longed for nothingso
much as to make Cecilia my wife. l gath
cred encouragement from the way she treated
her male friends She was calmly courteous
to all-but nothing more-and to me she was
ardent and impulslve.
"One day resolved to know my fate. l
called on her. When I entered the drawing
room, found her idly sorting erharp music.
The rose-colored, lacedraped windows, cast
mysterious, exquisite light over the room, and
the air was redoleut with the intoxicating fra
GRANGE of spice-pinks and tube-roses.
GAS l entered, she turned from her folio
and pointed to a divan. I almost fell upon
it; but instantly starting up, [ went over to
her, and leaned on the back of her chair.
Her hands were lying listlessly in her lap. l
took one in my fevcrish clasp. She did not
withdraw it. l looked in her eyes with abb
sorbng passion and tenderness. | told her
my whole life was centred in her, and that
she was the only woman l ever loved. She
never once interrupted me; but all along
saw the panied look on her face, and felt her
little hand growing icy cold as it rested in
mine. tried to draw her to my breast, but
she repused me-with look of horror and
alarm.
40 don't-for Gods sake! she exclaimed !;
what misery for both of US! What wretched-
ness! am engaged to Col. Vaughn Fessen-
den he is expected every moment
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